POINTE BLANCHE--After almost flat-lining last year due to the global economic crisis transhipment from St. Maarten, a major feeder port for the north-eastern Caribbean, saw some signs of recovery in October with a 20 per cent increase in transhipment cargo compared to the same month last year.
St. Maarten Harbour Group of Companies CEO Mark Mingo is hopeful about the growth in the transhipment business particularly with some large projects in the pipeline. He pointed to the planned development of Scrub Island, Anguilla as a potential to drum up business because cargo would have to come through St. Maarten.
While transhipment is increasing, so are cargo imports in general, explained Mingo. This increase is spurred on by local consumption, stay-over and cruise tourism industry demands. Mingo sees this as "a positive, but cautious outlook for imports."
The harbour group, like others in the region, is gearing up for the opening of the expanded Panama Canal in 2014 and the far-reaching changes this will bring to the feeder ports like St. Maarten from that cargo will be distributed to surrounding islands.
St. Maarten is in a good geographical position to capture opportunities from the Panama Canal with the right cranes and stevedoring services, as well as the fast movement of containers in and out of the port with the Global Logistics System (GLS); this system decreases delays and provides real time invoicing to clients.
The investments made into the cargo facilities and other upgrades will serve the harbour well as it is poised for a "huge role as a feeder port," Mingo said.
Commenting about plans to have the Customs Department receive copies of the bill of lading for containers, as announced by the Minister of Economic Affairs Franklin Meyers, Mingo said while new policies are needed in the long run there is greater need for communication.
"The harbour is a facilitator for the increase the economic activities for the island, as is the Princess Juliana International Airport; this fact makes it imperative for all change to be timely and properly discussed with the two ports of entry to avoid hampering business," Mingo said, "We need to work together."
He pointed to the issues faced by St. Thomas as a transhipment hub when the United States government implemented new security measures for cargo that cost shippers time and money.
Xabi Alonso Snowboarding Guantánamo Bay Kevin Campbell CVs Russell Brand
No comments:
Post a Comment