WILLEMSTAD - For the third year in a row, Curaçao Ports Authority (CPA) is hosting the conference that is considered the most influential forum for the maritime sector and shipping worldwide.

Mr. Jannis Kostoulas, founder and chairman of Mare Forum, and CPA Managing Director Humberto de Castro, who acted as chairman of this forum, started the day with a word of welcome to all local and international speakers and participants.

Prime Minister of Curaçao, Mr. Eugène Rhuggenaath, performed the official opening of the forum. During the opening, he mentioned the projects in the pipeline for the maritime sector.

Minister of Traffic, Transport and Urban Planning, Mrs. Zita Jesus-Leito, explained that it is her responsibility to locally comply with maritime safety regulations, including the cruise sector.

Local and international speakers spoke on a variety of topics such as ‘Global Trends in Cruise Tourism’, ‘Marpol Compliance’, ‘Energy Transition’, ‘LNG Developments’, ‘Branding’ and ‘Ships Registry’.

After the speeches, an exchange of ideas and opinions followed between professionals in the maritime sector, such as port directors, maritime industry, maritime authorities, ship managers, charterers and lawyers active in this field.

The concept of this conference is to give participants the opportunity to interact, discuss, learn and debate on various topics that affect themes in shipping, cruise traffic, the marina and the global maritime sector.

These events are currently taking place in Europe, North, Central and South America, Asia and the Middle East.