The 28th edition of the AAPA Latin American Congress of continued to strengthen its status as the largest event in the Latin American sector by gathering more than 450 delegates from 35 countries this past November 19-21 in Miami, Florida. Organized in partnership with PortMiami, the National Administration of Ports of Uruguay (ANP), the Port of Cartagena, Colombia, and the Port of Rosario (ENAPRO), this year’s Congress included a technical tour of PortMiami, two days of academic panels, the signing of two MOUs, an exhibition of leading port solution providers from around the world and an intense social agenda that culminated with a closing gala aboard the Grand Floridian yacht.

At the beginning of the summit, the new AAPA Latin American Delegation leadership assumed their duties as heads of the regional caucus. Chairman Francisco Javier González Silva from the Port of San Antonio, , succeeds Giovanni Benedetti from the Port of Cartagena, Colombia, with other delegation officers being Chairman-Elect Ángel Elías from the Port of Rosario, , Vice-Chair Alicia Ricalde Magaña from the Ports of Quintana Roo, Mexico, and Second Vice-Chair Disney Barroca Neto from the National Secretariat of Ports of Brazil.

The Congress also served as a final farewell to Kurt Nagle, who retired as at the conclusion of the 108th AAPA Annual Convention on October 16th and was presented the key to the City of Miami by Mayor Francis Suarez in recognition of his over 30 years of service to the Western Hemisphere port industry. It was also the first Latin American Congress presided by new AAPA President and CEO Chris Connor. “There’s not a household in the USA, Canada, the Caribbean, or that doesn’t depend on seaports in some way, shape or form every day. The port industry has such a great story to tell and I am thrilled to have the chance to tell our story going forward. Seaports are critical drivers of economic activity throughout the Western Hemisphere, and around the globe. It is AAPA’s primary mission to ensure that the message resonates across the general public and legislators,” Mr. Connor declared.

The business program discussed the region’s main port projects and analyzed the tendencies and challenges affecting the sector, including regional economic outlooks, climate change and the implementation of logistics 4.0, as well as an industry roundtable moderated by Miguel Garín of the Valenciaport Foundation featuring representatives of shipping lines and terminal operators. The Congress´ presentations are available at www.aapalationamerica.com, and event photos may be viewed on the AAPA Latino Facebook page.

There were also two port agreements finalized during the Congress. The Port of Barranquilla in Colombia and Port Everglades signed a sister port agreement aimed at facilitating international trade and generating new business by promoting the water trade

routes between the two ports. The MOU outlined joint initiatives the ports may undertake, including marketing activities and market studies, training, and sharing of information on technology, modernization and improvements. The Florida Ports Council also signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Mexico’s Coordination of Ports and Merchant Marine governmental agency to maintain relations that promote international commerce and economic development. The key joint initiative of the LOI includes the creation of a working group of maritime commerce leaders from Mexico and Florida to review and identify issues, opportunities and challenges of enhancing the flow of international commerce between Mexico and Florida through data analysis, identification of technological and regulatory enhancements and the development of infrastructure facilitating sea transport.

Next year, the 29th edition of the Latin American Congress of Ports will take place in Cartagena, Colombia, from November 18-20.