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CSA - PMAC

CSA to work closer with PMAC

CSA-PMAC-MOUsigning-02

 

We share a common purpose, says Stephenson

The Caribbean Shipping Association (CSA) and the Port Management Association of the Caribbean (PMAC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), thus creating a framework for cooperation between the two regional organisations. 

The MoU was signed by CSA president Grantley Stephenson and PMAC chairman Lenius Lendor on June 19, 2013 at the PMAC’s 16th annual general meeting at Frigate Bay in St. Kitts & Nevis. 

The MoU encourages cooperation between the CSA and PMAC and allows for collaboration on projects of mutual interest, especially in matters of port and cargo security and personnel training. By working together, the organisations expect to increase the effectiveness of their efforts in matters relating to port security; ensuring the safety of passengers, crew members, vessels and port facilities; as well as obtaining financial capital for implementation of projects. 

As regards personnel training, the MoU provides for the exchange of knowledge and information on standards and technology to make port facilities more secure. 

The CSA and the PMAC agreed to cooperate in a number of areas under the sub-headings of International Collaboration, Technical Cooperation, Events Cooperation and Exchange of Views and Information including research data.

“We do share a common purpose, that is, the unbridled and unhindered development of the maritime sector of the Caribbean region.” Mr. Stephenson told the annual general meeting. “The Caribbean Shipping Association evolved out of one territory’s success in port development. Historically, the economic development of the Caribbean has depended on shipping. Most everything that was needed in the Caribbean colonies had to come on ships and almost all that we produced left on ships. We literally depended on shipping and seaports for survival, while people on the continents historically traded by way of land routes. And, as we know, it was the initiatives to find sea routes to facilitate world trade which revealed the existence of the Caribbean islands to European explorers more than 500 years ago.

Growth

“It was ships that facilitated the development of these islands. It was ships that made the establishment and growth of Caribbean national economies possible and therefore the first industrial facilities that had to be built and maintained were seaports. It is important for us to place shipping and the establishment of seaports in context so as to be reminded that what we do in this industry has always been fundamental to life as we know it in the Caribbean.

“The fact that the CSA was founded on a perceived need among shipping executives to freely share information and experiences is an important point of reference. An association of Caribbean shipping interests was deemed important – indeed, necessary – at a time when even the mere talk of modernisation through mechanisation was enough to cause an uprising among port workers.” 

Mr. Stephenson said the CSA continued to play a linchpin role in the development of shipping in the Caribbean; but whereas in its earlier years the Association had been only a forum in which ideas and strategies were discussed, today the CSA was playing a different and in many respects a more important role.

“It is important that, as a region of diverse cultures, we think and act as a single economic entity,” said Mr. Stephenson. “This global economy in which we now operate demands this of us. It is possible, even while maintaining our separate cultural and political identities, to cooperate and collaborate in exploiting the economic opportunities that the Caribbean region and the world offer. Within the region we have access to the brains, skills and experiences necessary to make a success of development. We are, to be sure, short on financial capital; and it has been difficult to penetrate and, having done so, to secure our niche and successfully compete in the markets of the world.

“We certainly lack the land mass and the industrial muscle that countries like China, India and Brazil possess. However, we do have the resources and a certain uniqueness on which we can build and market our own brands and services. However, to do this, we do need to place far greater urgency on intra-regional cooperation and collaboration. The same is true for shipping and many other services.

“I therefore humbly suggest that both our organisations – the CSA and the Port Management Association of the Caribbean – seek to deepen and expand our relationship. We have made a start in this regard as we are now in the process of developing a memorandum of understanding in the area of port security. However, we need to take this to the next level.”  

Memorandum of Understanding between Caribbean Shipping Association and Port Management Association of the Caribbean

The Caribbean Shipping Association (referred to as CSA) is based in Kingston, Jamaica, and the Port Management Association of the Caribbean (referred to as PMAC) is based in Bridgetown, Barbados.

This memorandum of understanding establishes the basis for mutual understanding and cooperation between the CSA and PMAC. It is understood that this MoU provides a framework to pursue cooperative projects of mutual interest, mainly in the areas of training and security. Any exchange of funds or other tangible resources in furthering the purposes of this memorandum will require execution of a separate written instrument in accordance with applicable law.

By working together, the two organisations can greatly increase the force and effectiveness of their efforts in such key matters as:

• Port security, in ensuring the safety of passengers, crew members, vessels and port facilities as well as in securing necessary funding for implementation of appropriate programmes and infrastructure;

• Training and the exchange of knowledge and information on standards and technology to make port facilities more and secure.

The organisations agree that the ability to achieve our individual and shared public goals will be enhanced substantially by undertaking the collaborative approach outlined in this MoU.

It is agreed that, in order to strengthen the cooperation between the two organisations and to enhance the effectiveness of both organisations in representing the interests of seaports in various international maritime forums, the CSA and PMAC agree to cooperate in the following fields while remaining true to their individual by-laws, membership expectations and traditions.

International Collaboration

1. Coordinating efforts on international issues of common concern as these relate to training and security.

Technical Cooperation

2. Establish cooperative working relationships between technical committees of both organisations in pursuit of objectives leading to safer and more secure ports and terminals in the region represented in the membership of both organisations.

3. To work together to initiate region-wide action which will lead to safer and more secure ports and terminals.

Events Cooperation

4. To identify ongoing opportunities for both parties to collaborate in each other’s conferences, seminars, training events, technical committees, etc so as to promote wider understanding and adoption of the shared principles expressed in this MoU.

5. Coordinate event schedules to encourage maximum participation on the part of members of the two organisations and exploration of opportunities for joint effort.

6. Announcement of each other’s events and the creation of links on each other’s websites.

7. Providing opportunities for each association to promote itself and its programmes through presentations, printed material, video material and other means.

Exchange of Views, Information & Others

8. The waiving of registration fees for one or two observers drawn from the members’ representatives of each Association to attend each other’s highest managerial meeting, conference or annual general meeting.

9. Exchange of information, research data and publications so as to strengthen and expand information flows between both associations.

10. To work together to develop programmes of mutual cooperation in the spirit of this MoU.

The areas of cooperation listed above may, from time to time, be reviewed as necessary so as to deepen or expand the process of cooperation between both Associations.

The president of the CSA and the chairman of PMAC are hereby charged with the implementation of this Agreement.