The Caribbean Shipping Association is a prominent and influential organisation at the forefront of the maritime industry in the region for over 50 years. In October it will celebrate its 53rd anniversary. Primarily the association is focused on the shipping and logistics sector, leveraging strategic partnerships, and advocating for the needs of its members.
Although the Association was founded 53 years ago, the necessity it was introduced to meet arose with the invention of steamships. As sailing ships became obsolete and transit times shrank, the shipping sector exploded. By the 1960s it was widely recognised there was a need for a regional association that could monitor, discuss, and share information to support the growth and development of the Caribbean shipping industry.
In 1970, the decision was made to form the Caribbean Shipping Association at a meeting, and a steering committee was formed to draft plans for an organisation that would create a voice for regional shipping interests while enabling the exchange of information and best practices. Its first Annual General Meeting was held in Nassau, Bahamas on October 19 that year, and was attended by representatives from Antigua, the Bahamas and St Vincent.
Today, over 150 organisations are members of the Association, including six national shipping associations and a diverse range of shipping operations across the Caribbean, Latin America, North America, and Europe.
“We are a group consisting of shipping agents, port and terminal owners and operators, and ship owners and operators who have been working in this region,” says Milaika Capella Ras, General Manager of the Caribbean Shipping Association. “We also have a category for associate members, consisting of individuals and companies that do not qualify for ordinary membership but still wish to participate in the organisation.”
Caribbean Shipping Association’s member organisations benefit from a unique confluence of ideas and innovation, which the Association’s annual general meeting, exhibition, and conference act as catalysts for. These collaborations can take place through in-person or virtual interactions, or a combination of the two, and Caribbean Shipping Association offers a wealth of curated information on best practices and standardisation, as well as the latest research, training, and leadership opportunities. Becoming a member of the Caribbean Shipping Association means a company is grasping an opportunity to deliver best-in-class service to its clientele.
Through advocacy, philanthropy, training, and constructive exchanges, the Association underscores the collective value of its individual memberships.
The Power of Collaboration
That the Caribbean Shipping Association has such a broad membership means it has a broad knowledge base to draw upon.
“We actively promote holistic developments in the industry. We facilitate knowledge sharing, training, and the development of communities,” says Capella Ras. “We are a unifying force within the maritime community, supporting the growth and success of our members and the industry as a whole.”
Caribbean Shipping Association’s offering to its members takes the form of two distinct advantages. Firstly, it offers the ability to connect people and companies with each other.
“We connect the dots within the shipping industry, that sets us apart,” Capella Ras says. “We facilitate operations by establishing strong connections between various stakeholders.”
Secondly, Caribbean Shipping Association focuses on people, prioritising building and maintaining strong relationships with its members and stakeholders.
“We exceed our members’ expectations and know what their needs are,” Capella Ras explains. “The Association is known for its commitment to collaboration, knowledge sharing and training within the industry.”
To this end, the Association organises two conferences a year, one in May and a conference and exhibition in October. Both conferences see attendance in the region of more than 400 people.
“We strongly believe in the power of collaboration between our members to enhance efficiency, elevate overall standards, and give the support that is needed,” Capella Ras tells us. “Besides that, knowledge and expertise are very important for the shipping industry. Our training initiatives are designed to equip industry members with great skills and knowledge, driving the evolution of the shipping landscape.”
A Greener Business
Right now, the Caribbean Shipping Association’s priority for that evolution is to help create a greener, more sustainable and less carbon-intensive industry.
“CSA has been actively engaged in efforts to decarbonise the shipping industry,” Capella Ras insists. “Right now, the industry needs to evolve. We understand our carbon footprint has grown and we need to implement more sustainable practices so that we can be ready for the future.”
To further this goal, the Caribbean Shipping Association has partnered with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to drive decarbonisation in the Caribbean region.
“We started our partnership with IDB during our mid-year conference last May,” Capella Ras tells us. “Our focus is on reducing fossil fuel usage and we aim to adopt faster decarbonisation methods. We are capacity building and raising awareness in the industry. We believe it’s a very long journey, but we need to take those first steps and the money will follow automatically once people see the way that the industry is going.”
Growing Skills
This commitment to sustainability is only one part of the Caribbean Shipping Association’s ongoing drive for continuous improvement.
“One of the things that is very important in our relationships is the commitment to continuous development,” Capella Ras says. “It is essential to enhance the skills and efficiency available within our profession. We are working to upscale personnel across our sector.”
The Association is providing training programmes around the fields of cyber security and hazardous materials training, among others, to meet the diverse needs within the industry. The people who go through these schemes are equipped with necessary knowledge and skills. The Association also offers scholarships.
“We’re nurturing the next generation of maritime professionals to enhance productivity,” points out Capella Ras.
Overall, Caribbean Shipping Association is an organisation built on collaboration between the stakeholders in the Caribbean shipping sector and adapts to meet their needs.
“Through regional discussions among our members we are finding new ways for our members to generate greater outputs,” Capella Ras tells us. “We are bringing in new members to participate in our activities for the industry. We are amplifying our training mission, to reach more people and offer more diverse options. The value of our offering is only growing.”
