American Express News

Broward County's Port Everglades had a record-setting month in December 2016, logging 104,590 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units, the industry's standard measurement for containers), moving through the Port. This is the highest producing month in the Port's nearly 90 -year history, and a 15 percent increase over December 2015. TEU counts at Port Everglades have been climbing since September. "Our customers are bringing in higher volumes of consumer goods such as produce, clothing and household goods as the region's population increases. It's an indication of a strengthening economy," said Port Everglades Chief Executive and Port Director Steven Cernak. He announced the record TEU count at Florida Governor Rick Scott's 2017 Jobs Summit in Orlando on February 2, 2017.

As part of its 2017 State of the Cruise Industry Outlook, trade association Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has forecasted the top eight cruise travel trends that will have the greatest impact on the cruise industry in the coming year. New Generation Takes to the Water – A recent study found that younger generations—including Millennials and Generation X — will embrace cruise travel more than ever before, rating it as better than land-based vacations, all-inclusive resorts, tours, vacation house rentals or camping.

Maersk Kotka called the Napoleon Avenue Container Terminal on February 9, signalling Maersk Line’s return of vessel service to the Port of New Orleans. The weekly Northern European service is teamed with a weekly Mediterranean service through the 2M Alliance Maersk formed with Mediterranean Shipping Company. Maersk and Mediterranean Shipping Company are the largest- and second-largest container carriers in the world. At 7,400-TEU, Maersk Kotka is the largest ship in the seven-vessel service.

Holland America Line launched a “Discover Canada & New England Sweepstakes” that will award five of the line’s Pinterest followers a $500 American Express gift card. The sweepstakes runs through Sept. 20, 2014, and the winners will be selected in a random drawing at the end of September. Participants can visit the Discover Canada & New England tab on Holland America Line’s Facebook page and choose their favorite Canada & New England highlight photo from a selection of six colorful and captivating images. Entrants then provide the required information and click submit, which will pin the image to one of their personal Pinterest boards. In order to be eligible to win, entrants must also follow Holland America Line’s Pinterest Page (www.pinterest.com/halcruises).

Griffin Global Group, a marine and offshore travel specialist, announced the appointment of Wenche Eeg as General Manager based in Bergen. Wenche has more than 30 years of experience in the travel industry most recently with Cruise Norway AS where she held the position for seven years. Prior to which Wenche held a number of senior management positions in both sales and operations with American Express. Wenche is well respected in the travel and tourism industry. "We are delighted to welcome Wenche to the Griffin team.

For the third consecutive year, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) was recognized by the Ethisphere Institute as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies. According to the Ethisphere, this recognition highlights companies that outperform industry peers by embracing ethical business practices and demonstrating industry leadership. The 2013 World’s Most Ethical Companies list features 145 companies from 36 industries in areas including retail, business services, energy and utilities, electronics, transportation and logistics. The Panama Canal Authority was one of the two Latin American companies honored with this award. Other companies receiving this recognition included: American Express…

The Partners in Preservation program is encouraging readers to vote through May 21, 2012, to support several key historic maritime places in and around New York. In total there are 40 sites listed on the website competing for $3m in grants through Partners in Preservation, a collaboration between American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, to spotlight the importance of historic preservation. The public is encouraged to vote daily for their favorite of the 40 historic sites at www.PartnersinPreservation.com or www.Facebook.com/PartnersinPreservation.