From the CSA president, Juan Carlos Croston

Reflecting, transforming, and emerging stronger

THE CSA CELEBRATES 50-YEARS OF EXCELLENCE

Yes, we must celebrate! Ships traverse our sea lanes; our ports are open; containers with vital supplies are unloaded, and our valuable exports are being shipped to distant markets. Members of the Caribbean Shipping Association (CSA) are proving capable of keeping that lifeline known as the “supply chain” open because we have remained true to the vision of our founders in developing an efficient, viable regional shipping industry.

It was their positive experience of learning from each other in matters of industrial relations that prompted our maritime industry leaders, 50 years ago, to establish an organization that would facilitate continuous exchange of information, advice and best practice while creating a voice for our shared interests – regionally and beyond.

Since our first Annual General Meeting in Nassau, The Bahamas, on October 19, 1971, the CSA has grown and broadened our representation of stakeholders, while consistently strengthening our reach. Through the years, we have maintained our relevance by addressing the burning issues of the particular period and by taking a proactive approach to representing the best interests of the maritime sector.

Support

We have faced trade wars, hurricanes, earthquakes, threats from terrorists and drug smugglers – and we’ve survived, even thrived, because through it all we stand together, plan joint approaches to common challenges, and support each other in practical and meaningful ways.

Yes, we must celebrate, because the CSA boasts a history of tremendous achievements. Included among these is our role in: the transformation of port infrastructure; protecting the environment through the Caribbean Marine Environment Protection Agency (CARIBMEPA); strengthening relationships among stevedoring companies, port authorities and shipping lines; deepening regional integration and inclusiveness, and building our organizations by building the skills of individuals, especially the leadership.

Today, we invite all the people of the Caribbean to celebrate with us our half-century of achievements even as we face the greatest challenge of our modern history – the Covid-19 pandemic. We share this milestone with everyone because our industry is integral to the life of each individual; and because we want to spread our own epidemic of confidence into the lives of all our Caribbean brothers and sisters.
It is a tribute to our CSA founders, and our leaders over the years, that we embraced innovation from the very start – from containerization in the early years, to digitalization in the current epoch. It is our willingness to change appropriately with the technology of the times that gives us the ability to adapt to the “new normal” that will be with us for years. Change is not easy, but the CSA will stand together with its members to assist, however it may be, on this critical transformation.

We were preparing for our Caribbean Shipping Executives’ Conference in May when the pandemic hit, but that did not stop us from going ahead with our meetings, discussions and workshops via the digital and virtual platforms of the current age. We have also been making our voice heard on urgent and critical matters such as the safe repatriation of seafarers, appropriate arrangements for crew changes and the need for greater harmonization of laws and regulations to ensure safe movement of vessels, crew, passengers, and cargo. Building resilience in the face of adversity has always been high on the agenda of the CSA and we are seeing that our focus on the human element in shipping is proving to be the correct approach in ensuring the sustainability of our industry.

Efforts

History has taught us that our efforts are more effective when we garner the support of other influential bodies and organizations and so we continue to make representations in national, regional, and international fora. These include ongoing discussions with state governments and their agencies, CARICOM, the Organization of American States (OAS), and United Nations agencies such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO). We are heartened that these organizations have responded positively to our invitations to discuss with us the critical concerns of our industry in our Webinar Series as well as in bilateral and multilateral talks.

Collaboration

With regard to the CSA Webinar Series, our partnership with Women in Maritime Caribbean (WiMAC) as co-hosts, is showing how close collaboration with key stakeholders can result in great achievements. Each of the past three Webinars have attracted more than one hundred participants who express their appreciation for the relevant and informative presentations by knowledgeable experts in their fields. We are also heartened by the frank and open discussions that take place in these webinars and that, most of all, we are staying vibrantly connected.

We maintain that the human element is the most important asset in global shipping and that we will all get stronger by helping our weaker members. We implore all our members to make health and safety the watchwords of our operations as we adhere to the guidelines set out by the health authorities. You, our CSA members, can stand proud as we continue our journey today with the same gusto that our founders had fifty years ago, drawing on those qualities that make us uniquely Caribbean –proud self-confidence, joyful camaraderie and intrepid determination. May God continue to bless and protect us.

Juan Carlos Croston
President
Caribbean Shipping Association