Chair of the Executive Board of the Inter-American Committee on Ports (CECIP)

Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer - Barbados Port Inc. (BPI)

I take this opportunity to express on behalf of the Government of Barbados, our appreciation and honour to be elected as the 2023-2026 Chair of the Inter-American Committee on Ports’ Executive Committee (CECIP).

As I humbly receive this baton, I extend heartfelt gratitude to the past leadership of the Executive Committee for their hard work and sterling achievements in charting the course towards the development of competitive, secure and sustainable ports across the Americas.

Admittedly, good work is never done, and there is still much to do amidst continuous changes, challenges and developments in the maritime sector. Undeniably, this must be matched by continuous learning to master the latest tools, technologies, strategies and resources which in turn must translate into the effective incorporation of cutting-edge trends and best practices into our strategic plans.

We have committed to continued knowledge transfer delivered through the annual schedule of training courses, webinars and conferences. Climate change, energy crisis, pollution, green shipping corridors, decarbonisation, smart ports and cybersecurity are just some of the watchwords that remain high on the agenda.

Shored up by our extended programme of technical assistance and a robust calendar of engagements on policy and political dialogue, I look forward to the outcomes in proposed new measures and actions geared at elevating our community in conquering existing and future challenges.