Panama Canal Authority (ACP) Administrator/CEO Alberto Alemán Zubieta and Port of Galveston Director Steven M. Cernak signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) during an official ceremony in Panama City, Panama today. Held at the ACP Administration Building and attended by senior officials, the event marked the beginning of a new partnership between the two entities. The MOU aims to facilitate international trade and generate new business by promoting the “All-Water Route,” the route from Asia to the U.S. East and Gulf Coasts via the Panama Canal.
“Today’s MOU signing further emphasizes our commitment to provide quality service and meet the demands of the global trade and cruise industries,” said Mr. Alemán Zubieta. “We look forward to building upon our existing relationship with the Port of Galveston, which is a strategic geographic partner located only nine miles from the open Gulf of Mexico. We will work to maximize this agreement to continue providing innovative solutions for our customers and promoting growth for our respective regions.”
The MOU includes initiatives in joint marketing, data interchange, market studies, modernization and improvements, training and technological interchange. Collaborative activities could include joint advertising, cross-training, or information-sharing regarding select trade-related data and forecasting.
In an effort to sustain economic growth and generate new business and job opportunities, the ACP and the Port of Galveston, which is situated on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, will undertake a series of activities aimed at improving customer service and business practices.
“As the ‘Gateway to the Gulf,’ the Port of Galveston facilitates the movement of a varied mix of domestic and international cargo, generating an economic impact of more than $1 billion annually to the State of Texas,” said Mr. Cernak. “We, too, look forward to this new partnership with the ACP and the opportunities it will bring for continued fiscal growth and viability for both Panama and Texas.”
This strategic alliance is valid for two years and is renewable upon mutual agreement.
The Panama Canal, which recently commemorated its one-millionth transit, is currently undergoing a historic $5.25 billion expansion. The project will add a new lane of traffic with the construction of a new set of locks, doubling the capacity of the waterway and allowing for the transit of longer, wider ships.
Often called “The Cruise Capital of Texas,” the Port of Galveston serves as the primary point of embarkation for cruises to the western Caribbean and welcomes nearly 800 thousand cruise passengers each year. Current average annual cargo volumes at the Port total approximately 508 million short tons.
About the Port of Galveston
The Port of Galveston is Texas’ gateway for cruise sailings and international trade. The Galveston Island operations are a diversified mix of traditional and non-traditional cargo operations including roll-on/roll-off cargo, dry bulk, export grain, refrigerated fruit, general cargo and project cargo.
About the Panama Canal Authority (ACP)
The ACP is the autonomous agency of the Government of Panama in charge of managing, operating and maintaining the Panama Canal. The operation of the ACP is based on its organic law and the regulations approved by its Board of Directors.
[mappress]
Source: pancanal, November 17, 2010