Panama City, Panama. International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) Secretary General Thomas Kazakos met Panama’s President Jose Raul Mulino this week as maritime leaders gathered in the country for the Maritime Convention of the Americas.
Meeting held ahead of plenary session
The meeting took place ahead of the plenary session, “Securing Global Trade and Maritime Transportation in an Age of Uncertainty,” where Kazakos joined senior industry figures to discuss pressures facing global shipping and maritime transport.
Kazakos, attending the convention with ICS Policy Advisor Melissande Cathelaz, is taking part in a series of meetings and events throughout the week.
Industry and maritime officials join panel
During the plenary session, Kazakos joined International Maritime Organisation Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez, WISTA International EXCO Member Dafne Anghelidis, Intertanko Managing Director Tim Wilkins, BIMCO Secretary General and CEO David Loosley, and Panama Maritime Chamber representative Orlando Allard, who moderated the discussion.
Keynote planned as convention continues
The convention will continue on Friday, when Kazakos is expected to deliver a keynote speech.
Focus on uncertainty and Panama Canal operations
Kazakos’s visit comes as global shipping faces pressure from geopolitical instability, trade disruption, regulatory uncertainty and concerns over the resilience of key maritime routes.
In that context, he also met Panama Canal Administrator Ricaurte “Catin” Vasquez to discuss the canal’s operations and wider challenges facing the industry. The Panama Canal is described as one of the world’s most important maritime corridors, with its operations central to discussions on trade security, supply chain resilience and the future of global shipping.
Further meetings scheduled with maritime authorities
Kazakos is due to meet the Panama Maritime Chamber on Friday morning before holding talks later in the day with Luis Roquebert Vanegas, Administrator of the Panama Maritime Authority.
The meetings are set to conclude his activity at the convention, which has brought together maritime organisations, policymakers and industry representatives amid increased uncertainty for global trade.
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