Tampa Port Authority Hosts Shifting International Trade Routes (USA)

The Tampa Port Authority (TPA) hosted a very successful and well-attended fifth annual Shifting International Trade Routes , on Jan. 19-20, 2012, presented by the American Association of Port Authorities’ (AAPA) , and the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD). The 1 ½ -day workshop included presentations by leading industry experts in fields such as international trade, economics, port management and transportation logistics.

The conference included 140 participants representing all the players in the goods movement supply chain—from throughout the hemisphere. Presentations and panel discussions included such topics as the international economic outlook, an update on the Panama Canal expansion, the view of the customer, US West Coast, East Coast and Gulf Coast port and rail perspectives, the view from outside the US, and developments in logistics, distribution and warehousing.

Speakers included:

Rodolfo Sabonge, vice president, market research & analysis, Panama Canal Authority

Rick Gabrielson, director, international transportation, Target Corporation

Terry L. Bunch, director, logistics & customer service, Rayonier

Robert E. Martinez, Ph.D., vice president, business development, Norfolk Southern Corp.

Dean Wise, vice president, network development, BNSF Railway Co.

Richard H. Thompson, executive vice president, Jones Lang LaSalle

Thomas C. Scorsune, vice president, business development, Yusen Logistics

Bruce E. Cashon, senior vice president & COO, Ceres Terminals Inc

Jerry Bridges, executive director, Virginia Port Authority

Don Krusel, president & CEO, Prince Rupert Port Authority (Canada)

Tay Yoshitani, chief executive officer, Port of Seattle

Alejandro Chacon, coordinator general de puertos y marina (Mexico)

Paulo Andre Holanda, director president, Port of Fortaleza (Brazil)

Richard Wainio, port director & CEO, Tampa Port Authority.

“We were honored to once again host some of the world’s leading experts in international trade and transportation here in Tampa,” said Richard Wainio, Tampa port director and chief executive. “Given industry and market developments, we are excited about the opportunities for the Port of Tampa and feel that the investments in our terminal facilities, new rail and highway access, combined with our expanding market make us well positioned for future growth.”

One of the nation’s largest and most cargo-diverse seaports, a major cruise home port, and shipbuilding and repair center, the Port of Tampa is the largest economic engine in west-central Florida, generating nearly 100,000 jobs and $8 billion in annual economic impact.

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Dredging Today Staff, January 23, 2012; Image: tampaport