The growth of all-water Asia-US services via Panama and prospects for
transhipment versus direct call services are two of the hot topics to be
debated by senior shipping and port industry representatives at the third
annual TOC Americas conference. Taking place 2-4 December in Panama City,
speakers at TOC2003 Americas will review the latest plans for expansion of
the Panama Canal and look at the reasons behind this year's surge in
all-water services via the Canal to the US East Coast.
Continued diversification of trade routes into the US for Asia cargo would
have tremendous implications for investment in America's marine terminal
network. Senior executives from the Panama Canal Authority, Port of New
York and New Jersey, South Carolina State Ports Authority and Virginia
International Terminals will be on hand to share their opinions on the
capacity required to handle Asian trade growth and the impact of all-water
services into the US East Coast. The debate will include a briefing by the
Panama Canal Authority on the latest status of plans to widen the Canal.
In a second debate, representatives from Panama Ports Company, SSA Marine,
CSX World Terminals and Port of Jamaica will discuss regional growth in
transhipment terminal capacity and the effects on ocean carrier strategy,
with particular focus on the resulting competitive dynamics between existing
and prospective hubs in the Caribbean.
With new speakers recently confirmed from the Port of Jamaica and the Port
of Rosario, Argentina, as well as leading industry analysts Mercer
Management and Global Insight, TOC2003 Americas promises to provide a truly
pan-American perspective on critical business issues for the maritime and
port community.
Key supporters for this third TOC Americas include Hutchison Port Holdings
(HPH), which operates two container terminals at either end of the Panama
Canal. Commenting on the group's involvement, John Meredith, Group Managing
Director of Hutchison Port Holdings said:
"Hutchison Port Holdings is a strategic investor, deeply
committed to Latin America as an integral component of the group's global
network of container terminals. As the world's leading port developer and
operator, HPH is very pleased to be the principal sponsor of this year's TOC
Americas conference.
"Taking place this year in Panama, a major hub of
north-south and east-west container traffic, the conference will provide the
industry's top executives and decision makers with an excellent forum to
both exchange views on contemporary issues facing the industry and highlight
the region's diverse opportunities."
The Panama Ports Company (PPC), a member of Hutchison Port Holdings, will be
Principal Sponsor of TOC2003 Americas. PPC operates the ports of Cristobal
and Balboa, located at each end of the Panama Canal, and is committed to
transforming the two ports into major hubs to serve the Atlantic and Pacific
trade routes. PPC operates 24 hours a day and provides cargo information to
customers through Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) links.
Delegates at this year's conference can also gain free entry to a one-day
pre-TOC conference on 'The Impact of the Maritime Security Code on Latin
American Trade'. Organised by the Panama Canal Authority, another event
sponsor, the free forum will provide participants with an insight into the
impact that the new amendments made to the International Convention for the
Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) will have on the operations of ports, shipping
lines, importers and exporters.
Visitors to the TOC2003 Americas exhibition will have the opportunity to see
the latest products and services that the industry has to offer. Confirmed
exhibitors include leading industry names, such as ABB Crane Systems, APS
Technology Group, Asia Vision,
Camco Technologies, Fantuzzi Reggiane Latin
America, Gottwald Port Technology, Hutchison Port Holdings,
KCI Konecranes,
SMV Lifttrucks, Navis, Liebherr, Psion Teklogix and ESL Power Systems,
Manzanillo International Terminal, Panama Canal Authority and Tideworks
Technology.