INTERTANKO sets up Latin American Panel

INTERTANKO, the International Association of Independent Tanker Owners which represents some 240 members in 54 countries operating over 2,100 tankers has set up a Latin American Panel of members. The inaugural meeting took place in Miami on 1 March and was attended by representatives from Heidenreich Marine Caracas, PMI Trading, Tradewind Tankers, Sociedad Naviera Ultragas, and Petrobras Transporte - Transpetro. INTERTANKO's Managing Director Peter Swift, Deputy Managing Director Svein Ringbakken and Legal Counsel, John Fawcett-Ellis attended the meeting on behalf of the Association. The newly elected Chairman of the Latin American Panel is Jose Peraza from Heidenreich Marine Caracas, his Vice-Chairmen being Michael Schroder (Sociedad Naviera Ultragas), Jose Luis Hernandez (PMI Trading) and Elizio Araujo Neto (Transpetro). The setting up of the INTERTANKO Latin American Panel represents a strengthening of the links between the Association and its members in this region. The concept of a regional panel has proven to be successful as a means of focusing attention on local and regional issues as well as aiding communication with existing members. This new panel of members will add to the existing North American Panel, Asian Panel and Hellenic Forum of INTERTANKO members. INTERTANKO's Managing Director comments: "The creation of the Latin American Panel and the strong support shown for it by the INTERTANKO membership is an acknowledgement of the growing importance of oil transportation in the region. The Panel will provide both a focus and a forum for members'interests in maritime developments in Latin America and internationally. The enthusiasm and commitment of the founding members has been particularly encouraging." Jose Peraza, Chairman of the Association's Latin American Panel comments: "Latin America is an important part of the tanker industry. The establishment of the Latin American panel will allow INTERTANKO to better serve the interests of independent tanker owners and to further develop relationships with governmental authorities and other shipping related organizations in the area. I look forward to chairing this panel and to working with the other members of INTERTANKO." Although the Panel's work programme is still under review areas of interest identified included vetting, port state control, oil spill response, adoption of IMO conventions and the Panama Canal. A further meeting of the Panel is planned towards the latter part of this year.