Transport and Works Minister Robert Pickersgill (right) was the keynote speaker at the opening ceremony for the shipping conference, under the theme 'Jamaica: The Next World Maritime Centre'. The conference was held from November 10 - 11 at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston. From left are: Dr. Panagiotis Panagopoulos, project manager of Zelus Events and Harry Maragh, president of the Shipping Association of Jamaica.
SHIPPING INTERESTS have touted Jamaica as being poised to become "the next world maritime centre" after two days of in-depth presentations and thought-provoking discussions recently.
The shipping conference, organised by Zelus, was held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel on Thursday, November 10 and Friday, November 11.
Minister of Transport and Works, Robert Pickersgill, who delivered the keynote address, praised the success of Jamaica's maritime sector within the context of global trends in international shipping.
He outlined the holistic approach that the Government was taking, in partnership with the private sector, towards establishing Jamaica as the next world maritime centre, in line with the conference theme. He said that this approach involved putting in place the requisite policies and legislation while embarking on a massive port expansion programme and infrastructural development.
Minister Pickersgill noted that emphasis was also being placed on the development of human resources and on technological improvements that were aimed at improving efficiencies and increasing productivity.
He also mentioned the investments being made in the Port Antonio Marina development to make Jamaica a preferred destination for long-stay visiting yachts and dry-docking services.
Among the many areas the minister highlighted in his wide-ranging address were:
Jamaica's inclusion on the IMO's White List of countries for ship registration.
Zim's establishment of a logistics distribution centre at the Port of Kingston.
The selection of Jamaica by Aegean for bunkering services.
The completion of the feasibility study for the Ship-Generated Waste Facility, thus paving the way for its establishment.
Following the minister's presentation, Fritz Pinnock, managing director of Lannaman & Morris Shipping, showed why Jamaica was in an excellent position to be a key container trans-shipment hub.
He explained that Jamaica's location was a big plus for the maritime sector and that the Port of Kingston possessed the acreage and accessibility to make it the premier feeder hub in the region.
Pinnock suggested that terminal operators should take "a systems approach" in adopting the appropriate technology, equipment and procedures that would improve efficiencies, moves per hour and turn-around time for ships.
The Lannaman & Morris managing director also addressed the conference on the theme 'Cruise Shipping: Jamaica as a Home Port'.
Roger Hinds, CEO of Transocean Shipping, delivered a presentation on 'The Role of Shipping Agents in a Jamaican Maritime Hub', in which he encouraged agents to "not only think outside of the box, but to step outside the box".
He said that the traditional role of shipping agents was becoming obsolete and that the challenge was to find new competencies that would add greater value to their organisations.
Among the other presenters at the conference were:
Eric Deans, registrar general of the Maritime Authority of Jamaica, who showed why ship owners should choose the Jamaican flag.
Patrick Hylton, group managing director of NCB, who gave an overview of his bank's facilities for financing Jamaica's maritime activities.
Peter Ford, general manager of APM Terminals Jamaica, who spoke on the terminal infrastructure that Jamaica offers trans-shippers.
Theodoros Motsenigos, managing director of Aegean Bunkering, whose presentation was entitled 'Jamaica as a Caribbean Bunkering Centre'.
Rear Admiral Peter Brady, director general of the Maritime Authority of Jamaica, who updated the gathering on the implementation of new maritime security requirements in Jamaica.
Gaby Sharf, vice-president, Caribbean & Central America, for Zim Integrated Shipping Services, who recommended Jamaica as a logistics centre.
Commander Michael Rodriguez, executive director of the Caribbean Maritime Institute, whose presentation was on 'Jamaica as an International Training Centre for Ships Officers/Crew'.
Karen Adair, shipping consultant, whose presentation looked at the possibilities for ship building and repair in Jamaica.
Day one of the conference was chaired by Harry Maragh, president of the Shipping Association of Jamaica, and chairman of day two was Captain Hopeton Delisser, vice-president of ports and harbours, Port Authority of Jamaica.
Taken from The Daily Gleaner, November 22, 2005
