– St. Maarten Harbour Group of Companies is now an official member of the Caribbean Shipping Association (CSA). The harbour was inducted during the recent conference in Puerto Rico. St. Maarten delegates are not able to vote and also maintain strategic/key seats within CSA.
Harbour Group CEO Mark Mingo said, "This will definitely assist the harbour in its quest to establish strategic business relations within the region, and have more of a pivotal position throughout the Caribbean."
St. Maarten delegation has had meeting during this year’s conference with key delegates to promote the harbour and to advise of its services, capacity and future projects.
The delegation highlighted the ongoing dredging of the cargo basin in Great Bay to increase the depth from 10.5 metres to 12.5 metres. The increase in the water draft will help the harbour to secure key cargo trans-shipment/ feeder opportunities prior to the opening of the Panama Canal.
The harbour delegation comprised Mingo, Harbour Cargo and Terminal Operations Manager Roger Lawrence, Hector Peters of Harbour Cruise Operations, Supervisory board member Humphrey Mezas and Harbour Consultant Phil Laplace.
The harbour falls in CSA’s Group B member category that includes Port and Terminal Owners and Operators.
CSA Group A members comprises ship agents and private stevedore contractors and Group C is specifically for companies that have had regular services operating within the Caribbean region for at least two years.