Portside Caribbean

19/07/2024

CARIBBEAN ENVIRONMENT THREATENED BY INVASIVE SPECIES: The Caribbean region is threatened by alien flora and fauna.
“ … invasive species are considered to be the greatest threat to biodiversity in geographically and evolutionarily isolated systems such as islands of the Caribbean.” [Kairo et al., 2003]
READ THIS: https://portsidecaribbean.com/environment/invasive-alien-species-caribbean-under-threat/

24/06/2024

MOVING CARGO ACROSS CENTRAL AMERICA ... Mexico offers an option

Salina Cruz to Veracruz ... Mexico offers an option By Mike Jarrett n December 2023 Mexico commissioned its new railroad spanning the shortest distance between the country’s Pacific and Gulf of Mexico coast. The service is designed to move passengers and cargo in a 3-hour ride from the port at Sal...

24/06/2024

WISTA JAMAICA launched
As the maritime sector in the Caribbean continued to evolve, WISTA's role in providing a platform for women professionals, particularly those in management. to thrive and contribute to the region's maritime prosperity has become increasingly important.
WISTA's impact on Caribbean regional shipping has been multifaceted, spanning advocacy, networking, professional development, promotion, and collaboration. The Association serves as a beacon of advocacy, championing the cause of gender diversity and equality within the maritime domain. In the Caribbean, where traditional gender norms may prevail in some sectors, a WISTA chapter has the capacity to spearhead initiatives to challenge stereotypes; address wage disparities; and advocate for equal opportunities in maritime careers.
By raising awareness and promoting inclusive policies, WISTA fosters an environment in which women leaders can fully participate and excel. This is particularly important as many women across the world get into management roles and then come up against the proverbial “glass ceiling”.

Women's International Shipping & Trading Association to play developmental role in Caribbean shipping By Monique Morrison* n the dynamic landscape of Caribbean shipping, the Women's International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA) has emerged as a pivotal force, advocating for gender diversity,....

07/06/2024

IN EVERY SEAPORT, DISASTER AWAITS AN OPPORTUNITY.
EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED!
Mischance, Misadventure and Mishap ... these three are not witches dancing around a boiling cauldron in a dark forest somewhere. The pair are actually the adult children of Inaction and Passivity. This destructive family is apparently growing rapidly, with siblings showing up in almost every seaport on planet Earth. There were 2,400 marine incidents reported 2022. Half of these happened in ports, causing loss of life, property damage, environmental pollution, delay and dislocations or a combination of two or more of these. The majority of these disastrous incidents actually happened on the docks while ships were alongside.
Ports are vulnerable. A serious port accident could shut a port down for days, weeks or longer. Given a country’s dependence on efficient and reliable seaport operations, particularly island-states, a passive attitude on the part of port authorities and terminal operators to the real probabilities of a port disaster amounts to dereliction of duty. Read my EDITORIAL: 'Preventing seaport disasters' at:
https://portsidecaribbean.com/category/editorial/

31/05/2024

WHAT REALLY HAPPENED?
RESIDENTS AND VACATIONERS IN THE CARIBBEAN ISLAND PARADISE THAT IS TOBAGO WOKE UP ONE MORNING IN FEBRUARY 2024 TO A HORRIBLE REALITY.
Overnight, the equivalent of 35,000 barrels of oil had spilled into the sea close to shore. The pristine waters just off the shore and a stretch of coastline was covered by the thick, black, substance.
WHAT REALLY HAPPENED? See page 28 in this latest edition of the Portside Caribbean journal.

** The PORTSIDE CARIBBEAN journal Summer 2024
https://www.kelmanonline.com/httpdocs/files/PMAC/portsidecaribbean-issue1-2024/index.html #

26/03/2024

WAKING UP TO TRAGEDY
Baltimore bridge taken down by a container
shipment in the early hours of March 26.
Images show all lights on the ship going out shortly before impact suggesting that the ship may have lost power and control just before striking the Francis Scott Key bridge.

11/03/2024

THE CARIBBEAN'S NEWEST CRUISE PORT ... construction to build a state-of-the-art cruise ship terminal began in earnest at Samana Bay on May 4, 2024.
More ...
https://portsidecaribbean.com/development/newest-caribbean-cruise-destination-now-under-construction/

27/02/2024

A FINANCIAL DILEMMA FOR CARIBBEAN PORTS: Given the pressure on the global maritime sector for a drastic reduction in carbon emissions, ship owners/operators are, understandably, forced to use ports that have the capacity to invest in clean fuel bunker facilities; access to a dependable supply of shore power; and, an effective, dependable maritime single window. This is expensive change. Climate Change vulnerabilities demand increased capital investment.
So how does this reality affect the smaller ports in the Caribbean?

https://portsidecaribbean.com/development/caribbean-port-investment-outlook-2024/

26/02/2024

GREEN FUEL AND SHORE POWER: Dutch Caribbean ports establish alliances within and outside of the Caribbean to address the urgent demands and challenges of 2024 and beyond.

In addressing the demands and challenges of 2024 and beyond, Dutch Caribbean ports have established alliances within and outside of the Caribbean region. By Jan Sierhuis * utch Caribbean territories have teamed up with ports (including Amsterdam and Rotterdam) and Dutch research institutions (includ...

22/02/2024

BARBADOS GOVERNMENT ADDRESSING IMPACTS OF DISRUPTIONS IN MARITIME TRADE
Barbados Port Inc. transitioning to a full Free-Out Port, further reduced its container handling charges at the Port of Bridgetown. The new reduced rates took effect on February 1, 2024.

Transition to full Free-Out Port well advanced 2024 February 21: Well on the way in transitioning to a full Free-Out Port, Barbados Port Inc. (BPI) further reduced its container handling charges at the Port of Bridgetown by 7.5 per cent, effective February 1, 2024, a move welcomed by the Shipping As...

30/01/2024

JAMAICA UP: Jamaica’s trade facilitation and paperless trade ratings went up dramatically (from 50% in 2017) to 79% in 2023. Several Caribbean territories were not able to meet the January 1, 2024 IMO deadline for establishing a maritime single window; while others, like Jamaica, have been seeing their (trade facilitation and paperless trade) ratings increase significantly.

UNCTAD reports Jamaica's ratings up from 50% in 2017 to 79% in 2023 2024, January 30: Several Caribbean territories were not able to meet the January 1, 2024 IMO deadline for establishing a maritime single window; while others like Jamaica, have been seeing their (trade facilitation and paperless tr...

26/01/2024

Modernisation and progress will not happen without effective training and development of Human Resources. And, given the Caribbean port sector’s continuing modernization, it is absolutely essential that seaports align port modernization plans with appropriate training.
This year, 2024, the Organization of American States' Inter-American Committee on Ports (OAS – CIP) Secretariat will continue its expanded training offers (in both English and Spanish). Indeed, training opportunities offered in 2024 could well be increased during the year.
CIP 2024 - PRIORITIES FOR DEVELOPMENT OF SEAPORTS IN THE CARIBBEAN REGION

https://portsidecaribbean.com/development/cip-priorities-2024-strengthening-existing-synergies/

22/01/2024

OPPORTUNITIES AHEAD: With throughput of global container traffic projected to grow by 3% in 2024, Kenneth Saunders, container yard and vessel planning specialist (Kenneth Saunders Consulting) presents sage advice and tips on how Caribbean region port operators can position their seaports to benefit from the growth projected by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
“Despite growth projections, ports may still, at various at times throughout the year, face the perpetual challenge of reduced demand. The subsequent reduction in business and demand could mean less resources to expand. Yet, there are still ways in which ports can improve their operations.”
Benefit from projected growth: advice and tips:
https://portsidecaribbean.com/management/position-seaports-to-benefit-from-growth-in-2024/

04/01/2024

WHAT DO LEADERS IN MARITIME IDUSTRIES ACROSS THE CARIBBEAN REGARD AS TOP PRIORITIES FOR 2024?

Issues, expectations, challenges in 2024 ith the trials and tribulations, stresses and uncertainties of 2023 fast disappearing, to be replaced by new issues and expectations in a new year, the moment was ripe for bringing the needs and expectations of 2024 into sharp focus. In November 2023 Portside...

08/12/2023

SOME CARIBBEAN PORTS WILL NOT BE READY on January 1

“Lagging behind … big time!” By Mike Jarrett * Maritime transportation and specifically the movement of cargo across oceans developed over centuries. Each country, in its own language, for its own purpose, adopted processes and standards for receiving ships and cargo and managing the commercia...

11/09/2023

PORT EFFICIENCY & CHALLENGES, ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, DIGITALISATION, TOXIC SUBSTANCES THREAT ...it's all covered in the Summer-Fall 2023 edition of the PORTSIDE CARIBBEAN journal ...RIGHT HERE!

11/09/2023

JAMAICA: NEW SHIPYARD IN KINGSTON receives core component ..
https://portsidecaribbean.com/development/jamaica-advances-development-of-major-caribbean-shipyard/

10/06/2023

TOWARDS A SUSTAINABLE MARITIME SECTOR
The experience of the Covid-19 global crisis brought mankind face-to-face with a shuddering reality. Ocean shipping is fundamentally necessary for human survival.
A sustainable global maritime sector is all-important.
It is now abundantly clear that the gender inequality that has deprived global shipping of essential skills and talent for centuries must now be set aside, immediately.
How can this be done?
Read Deniece M. Aiken’s perspective: Towards a Sustainable Maritime Sector.

Gender equality will ultimately characterise the future of global maritime trade By Deniece M. Aiken* ustainability of the maritime industry has, in recent times, been identified as crucial and urgent. According to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the recent global crisis created by th...

17/05/2023

GUYANA to get its first mobile harbour cranes this Summer.

Collaborative effort brings two new cargo handling machines to Guyana ort Georgetown expects its first ever Mobile Harbour Cranes (MHC) to be delivered in August, following pier reinforcement works now in progress. In February, Konecranes indicated that two port operating companies in Guyana, Munesh...

26/04/2023

Philipsburg upgrades with state-of-the-art gantry

Philipsburg upgrades with state-of-the-art gantry The port at St. Maarten should have its brand-new mobile harbour crane (MHC) up and running before the end of July (2023). Word from Andreas Moeller, Konecranes Senior Sales Manager (Business Unit Mobile Harbor Cranes) is that the state-of-the-art ES...

19/12/2022

CURRENT TRENDS POINT TO transformative change in how global commerce is planned and managed, all inspired by the chinks and vulnerabilities revealed by and during the Covid-19 pandemic. The last two years on planet Earth have taught many lessons about the global supply chain and the critical importance of seaports for sustaining life and civil society.
Global commerce needs ships. Ships cannot operate without seaports. Therefore, seaports must be capable of effectively receiving and husbanding ocean-going vessels. With these truths I present the Winter 2022-23 edition of Portside Caribbean journal with a focus on creating Sustainable Smart Ports in the Caribbean region.
Enjoy but, more importantly, take note.
E-VERSION: https://www.kelmanonline.com/httpdocs/files/PMAC/portsidecaribbean-issue3-2022/index.html

Send a message to learn more

28/10/2022

CAYMAN ISLANDS TO LOSE HALF OF ITS CRUISE PASSENGER ARRIVALS OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS. Cruise passengers account for about 75% of total tourist arrivals in ... [MORE]

About 50% fewer cruise passengers expected by 2024 ourism authorities in the Cayman Islands are expecting a sharp decline in the number of cruise passengers arriving in its capital, George Town, over the next two years. Current expectations estimate the fallout at about 50 per cent by 2024. Cruise p...

06/10/2022

NEW DEVELOPMENT, upgrading at the Port of Port of Spain. Public Private Sector Partnership in the offing. Read:

Public Private Partnership for PPOS under discussion he Port of Port of Spain (PPOS) is central in current discussions involving the government of Trinidad and Tobago, the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) and an unamed private investor. Word out of Port of Spain is that plans are afoot for the...

12/09/2022

Kingston Wharves increases spend on current upgrades and expansion ...
https://portsidecaribbean.com/development/kingston-wharves-increases-spend-on-expansion-programme/

Send a message to learn more

02/02/2022

Portside Caribbean dons a new logo and recommits to service in this, the final edition for 2021.
PREVIEW '22, the theme of the current edition, warns about increase in cybercrime in the coming year.
And Jan Sierhuis completes his 3-part series on the impacts of the current coronavirus pandemic on the Caribbean region.
Get the magazine free of cost by clicking on either of the following two links.
(1) E-VERSION:
https://www.kelmanonline.com/httpdocs/files/PMAC/portsidecaribbean-issue3-2021/index.html

(2) DOWNLOAD/PRINT:
https://www.dloc.com/AA00062974/00022

06/11/2021

CRUISE NEWS … Falmouth, Jamaica.

Cruise shipping activities will return to Falmouth, Trelawny in another two weeks. The Emerald Princess is scheduled

14/10/2021

PORT ROYAL's PORTSIDE COMMUNITY to benefit from the rehabilitation of the old Port Royal Ferry Pier, a project of the Port Authority of Jamaica. Regarded by the PAJ as a social project, the objective is to upgrade the functional capabilities of the facility, thus restoring and enhancing the social and commercial life of one of the oldest cities in the New World.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQ0bpoAj_uU

The has undertaken the rehabilitation of the old Port Royal Ferry Pier as a social project, with the aim of improving the functionality of t...

10/09/2021

IS SEA LEVEL RISE ON YOUR AGENDA?
It should be!

https://phys.org/news/2021-09-sea-level-hazard-south-florida-neighborhoods.html

Sea-level rise may appear to be a problem only for coastal residents, a hazard that comes with the awesome views and easy access to the beach.

09/09/2021

TRUTH AND CONSEQUENCES
The current (Summer 2021) edition of PORTSIDE CARIBBEAN broke new ground by taking a pragmatic look at a philosophical topic: truth and the consequences that inevitably arise when it is compromised. A topic that is rarely ever addressed, hopefully this theme will bring managers everywhere to develop specific strategies to defend their organization from 'the enemy within' or at least to start the discussion.

E-VERSION:
https://www.kelmanonline.com/httpdocs/files/PMAC/portsidecaribbean-issue2-2021/index.html

Printable version: https://ufdc.ufl.edu/AA00062974/00021

21/08/2021

BOXBAY .... how it words
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K68Kq8s4EaI

We've launched our new international joint venture with SMS Group will change the way containers are handled in ports. “BOXBAY” represents a new and intellig...