Capacity Crowd Gathers at Latin American Port Congress

The XXII Latin American Congress of Ports, held in Bogota, June 25-28, was a complete success. With 450 participants and 50 sponsors, the Congress received great international interest, as it was co-sponsored by AAPA and the four major regional ports of Colombia – Barranquilla, Buenaventura, Cartagena and Santa Marta. The excellent roster of speakers represented ports and firms from around the globe; registrants came from more than 25 nations.

The Congress’ motto, "The Integration of Latin American Ports with the World in the Era of Free Trade Agreements and Common Markets" was opportune and timely considering the challenges affecting Latin American countries and their ports. Participants thoroughly analyzed issues pertaining to the lack of adequate infrastructure, the effects of the expansion of the Panama Canal, and competition and collaboration among ports. 

The Congress was also the venue for the signing of a collaborative agreement between the Consorcio de Gestión de Puerto Quequén, Argentina, and the Tampa Port Authority, and, very significantly, a Memorandum of Understanding between the ECO Sustainable Logistic Chain Foundation (ECO-SLC) and AAPA.  

ECO-SLC offers training in ECOPORTS Tools and ECOPORTS Certification in ports with the support of the European Sea Ports Organization (ESPO). Following the MOU signing ceremony, the Sociedad Portuaria Regional de Santa Marta, Colombia, was presented with the first ECOPORTS Certification to be received by a non-European port. The ECO-SLC MOU serves as the exclusive framework for other AAPA Latin American member ports to seek ECOPORTS certification. 

The Congress furthered AAPA Board Chairman Armando Duarte’s vision and objective of integrating the Americas, creating a unified trading and economic block from Canada to Patagonia by strengthening and integrating all Western Hemisphere ports. A substantiating fact: Eight U.S. ports participated in the Congress not only in terms of attendees but by providing substantial sponsorship support.

American Association of Port Authorities
Asociación Americana de Autoridades Portuarias
1201 Maryland Ave SW, Suite 860, Washington, D.C. 20024
E: info@aapa-ports.org
W: www.aapa-ports.org