The executives conference seeks to explore and present possible solutions and opportunities to help shipping businesses stay afloat during the current global crisis. The conference is being held at the Las Americas Global Resort hotel, May 18-20. The conference is being hosted by the Port of Cartagena.

Among the topics for discussion are global economic and trade outlook; the changing drivers economic and trade outlook for the Caribbean and Latin America; impact on the cargo industry and how businesses can stay 'afloat' and maximise growth; managing today's maritime risk for future growth; the luxury yacht sector; business opportunities for the region; movement of goods.

Forbes said the topics were chosen after careful analysis of the global economic landscape and the shipping industry as a whole. "We took the decision that we would like the shipping interest in the Caribbean and Latin American region to focus on the opportunities that always present themselves in a crisis," Forbes said.

Unique opportunities

He added, "Against that background industry experts both in cruise and cargo were engaged to first identify some unique opportunities for the region and then share these with our membership." Participants, he said, would benefit from the many presentations sharing best practices.

More than 150 executives and operations managers in the regional shipping industry registered for the three-day event which is an annual event for top decision-makers in the shipping industry of the Caribbean and Latin American region. It is the first of two major conferences put on each year by the CSA.

The eighth executive conference will also focus on the 'strategic positioning of Caribbean and Latin American cruise tourism' as well as the potential benefits of a port community system for improved efficiencies, business development and growth.

The Shipping Association of Jamaica is being represented by its president, Roger Hinds, and general manager, Trevor Riley.