The director of the Dominican Port Authority (Apordom), Jean Luis Rodríguez, signed a memorandum of understanding with his counterpart Gordon Shirley, of Kingston, Jamaica, with the objective of strengthening the port system’s governing institution.
Jean Luis Rodríguez, director of Apordom, emphasized that this signing represents a great step forward for port development in both countries with great opportunities to adopt best practices, carry out training programs and processes related to health, safety, efficiency and quality in maritime operations and develop important projects between the two nations.
For his part, the president and CEO of the Port Authority of Jamaica, Gordon Shirley, expressed his joy with the signing of this memorandum of understanding because it represents a significant achievement in strengthening the maritime connections of both nations.
In the agreement, both entities commit to exchange information freely and subject to applicable laws related to the cargo and cruise industry at each port; historical statistical information related to each administration; projected port infrastructure developments and general market research aimed at increasing cruise and cargo traffic at the ports.
Also, internal processes related to HSEQ (Health, Safety, Security, Efficiency and Quality) and maritime operations. Similarly, to evaluate the possibility of creating a joint itinerary package plan with other ports or other destinations in the area, which will be offered to cruise lines for possible implementation.
The pact stipulates the possibility of instituting the technical and financial means, through joint ventures or other commercial agreements, to promote port traffic and the activities contemplated in the document. In addition, the different possibilities of offering port services, such as towing, pilotage, mooring and port security inspection services, will be explored.
According to the signing, the officials will work on the formation of technical working groups to exchange educational visits and act as ambassadors of goodwill between them, through their normal promotion, they will enhance the relationship and the advantages of doing business in their seaports; they will jointly participate in important conventions and events to build cooperative relationships and develop productive bilateral alliances.
Through the mutual agreement, both authorities can elaborate on additional areas of cooperation and partnership as part of the international mutual cooperation pact, share information, upon authorization and commitment of affected third parties, regarding improvements or modernizations to be made to meet increased demand or improve services to customers.
In that order, they will share information on training programs and develop joint training seminars, as well as activities for their exchange according to RCN.
For the purposes of this alliance, which is valid for two years from the date of signature, the parties invoked the laws of the Dominican Republic and Jamaica, as applicable.
After the signing of the agreement, the director of Apordom, Jean Luis Rodríguez, together with the ambassador of the Dominican Republic in Jamaica, Angie Shakira Martínez and a delegation, toured the facilities of Kingston Freeport, Falmouth Cruise Port and the port of Montego Bay to learn first-hand about their operations, best practices and port collaboration ties.
The Dominican delegation also participated in several activities to highlight its efforts to consolidate the Dominican Republic as a cruise hub, such as the meeting for platinum members of the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association.
During the event, the Dominican Port Authority developed meetings with executives from Royal Caribbean International and Disney Cruise Line, presenting the enormous potential offered by Dominican ports for cruise passengers from around the world.
Source:Arecoa.com
