SANTO DOMINGO - The director of the Dominican Port Authority (APORDOM), Jean Luis Rodríguez, signed an agreement with his counterpart Gordon Shirley, from Kingston, Jamaica, with the aim of strengthening the institution that governs the port system.
Rodríguez highlighted that this agreement represents a major step for port development in both countries with great opportunities to adopt best practices, carry out training programs and processes related to health, safety, efficiency and quality in maritime operations, and develop important projects between the two nations.
For her part, Shirley expressed her delight at the signing of this memorandum of understanding because it represents a significant achievement in strengthening the maritime connections of both nations.
In the agreement, both entities commit to freely exchanging information and subject to applicable laws related to the cargo and cruise industry in each port.
As well as historical statistical information relating to each administration; projected port infrastructure developments and general market research, aimed at increasing cruise and cargo traffic in the ports.
The agreement includes internal processes related to HSEQ (Health, Safety, Efficiency and Quality) and maritime operations.
Similarly, they will evaluate the possibility, with other ports or destinations in the area, of creating a joint plan of itinerary packages that will be offered to cruise lines for possible implementation.
The agreement stipulates the possibility of establishing the technical and financial means, through joint ventures or other commercial agreements, to promote port traffic and the activities contemplated in the document.
In addition, the different possibilities of offering port services will be explored, such as towing, pilotage, mooring and port security inspection services.
Both nations commit to working on the formation of technical groups to exchange educational visits and act as ambassadors of goodwill for each other. Through their normal promotion, they will enhance the relationship and the advantages of doing business in their seaports; they will participate jointly in important conventions and events to build cooperative relationships and develop productive bilateral alliances.
They will also be able to explore additional areas of cooperation and partnership as part of the international pact of mutual cooperation, and will share information, with prior authorization and commitment from affected third parties, relating to improvements or modernizations that are made and whose purpose is to meet the increased demand or improve the services provided to customers.
In that order, they will share information on training programs and develop joint training seminars, as well as activities for their exchange.
