Without ports - the safe operation of navigable harbours and dependable infrastructure to receive, store and deliver cargo –

global trade could hardly exist. This simple reality is reason enough for port management personnel to frequently sit together, to exchange views; discuss matters that are of direct concern; tap into the wisdom gained from study and experience.

This will bring port management personnel, the managers and decision-makers from four different language groups in the Caribbean and border states  together in Jamaica this summer for the 21st Annual General Meeting of the Port Management Association of the Caribbean. The PMAC is also celebrating its 20th Anniversary (as can be seen from the conference logo), its first AGM being the day on which the organization officially broadened its sphere of influence so as to serve the wider Caribbean region.

The maritime executives will gather at The Jewel Dunn’s River Resort in Ocho Rios, on Jamaica’s North Coast, over three days in June (27, 28 and 29), to tank up on the latest intelligence and data; to hear and share experiences; and, to present the latest tools and strategies with which to effectively plan, design, build, manage, maintain and operate port systems. The topics for discussion collectively display the range of issues, concerns and priorities now faced by regional ports and the governments and quasi-government entities that are ultimately responsible for sustaining them.

Largest

Already, a month before the event, it appears that this will be one of the largest annual conferences of the PMAC and that additional accommodations will have to be negotiated with the host hotel.

Following the ceremonies on the first day, June 27, Dr. Grantley Stephenson, CEO of Kingston Wharves Ltd. will share his company’s experiences in speaking about ‘Diversification of ports and logistics’.

Cyber security immediately comes into the spotlight when Will Lusk, Program Manager, O.C.E.A.N.S. LLC; and Max J. Bobys, Vice President, HudsonCyber present the topic ‘To Steal Money, Power, and Maritime Transportation Secrets’.

The Strategic session that fills the first day’s afternoon, presents seven topics:

Emergency Response and Disaster Management in Ports: A CIP Approach

Resilient Port Infrastructure and Operations in the Caribbean - Lessons Learned and Best Practices at Texas Ports

Mitigating Excessive Wave Agitation and Swell Conditions in Caribbean
Port Facilities

Best Practices in Port Financing - Attracting investment from the Terminal Operator’s perspective

Financing of Ports in Central America and the Caribbean – Challenges, opportunities and solutions from a Banker’s perspective

Inter-Regional Short Sea Shipping From Guiana Shield To The Caribbean

Rethinking Ports Using Blue Ocean Strategy

The presentations to be made on Friday June 29 include:

• ‘Smart port, supply chain visibility, ports Connectivity/platform’

• ‘Digital innovation in the port sector: Barriers and Facilitators’

• ‘Port Productivity Platform - Enabling connectivity, efficiency and information sharing’

• ‘Building cost-effective in-house port asset inspection and inventory tracking capacity using unmanned aerial vehicle technology’

Before the region’s port managers depart Ocho Rios, they will select the
best regional port. The Nova Port Award is a PMAC acknowledgement of
high achievement.

Novaport Cup

The Novaport Cup is awarded annually to the participating port which records the greatest level of improvement over its previous year’s performance.

Port Performance Indicators (PPI) are used to measure growth, efficiency level and profitability. Indicators include:

• Increase or decrease in cargo volumes;

• Revenue generated per revenue tonne of cargo;

• Expenses per revenue tonne of cargo;

• Profit per revenue tonne of cargo; and,

• Staff size per revenue tonne of cargo.

The total of these indicators is averaged to determine the winner.

The movement (change) in the PPIs of each participating port is also assessed, and used to support the determination of the winner and the sequence of final placing, if not clearly identified by the averages.

The results are constructive in that they provide a standardised measure of the performance of each port, over time. Accordingly, the Novaport Cup is awarded to the port with the greatest measure of improvement in any given year.

The Caribbean Maritime University will be hosting this 21st AGM of the PMAC in Jamaica and its selection of The Jewel Dunn’s River Resort was a great choice, conducive for three days of intelligence gathering, in paradise.