Feb 2007 Financial News

PLIPDECO WELCOMES SSA MARINE ABOARD AT PORT POINT LISAS

Feb 22, 2007

Point Lisas Industrial Port Development Corporation Limited (PLIPDECO) is very pleased to announce that it has contracted the consultancy services of world-renowned international port owners and operators, SSA Marine, with regard to port operations at Point Lisas, Trinidad, effective Thursday 1st March, 2007. Two Logistics and Port Development Experts are being seconded by SSA Marine to execute the contract, which will run for a period of six (6) months in the first instance.

SSA Marine and their affiliates operate more cargo terminals than any other company in the world, and they are the largest port operator in the hemisphere. Their operations and diversity of cargo, volumes and commercial models and ports are unprecedented in the wordwide maritime industry. The company provides a full spectrum of services associated with marine and rail terminal operations, and offers its clients flexible and comprehensive expertise. These services include Terminal management; Project development management; Technology system design, installation and training; Equipment procurement, and Feasibility studies.

SSA Marine will lend to PLIPDECO its vast expertise in the area of port operations and management. SSA also owns and operates one of Port Point Lisas’ main sister ports, Manzanillo International Terminal of Panama (MIT). MIT is one of the world’s fifty largest ports, and PLIPDECO has had a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with them since 2002.

The MOU, which promotes the development of business and the sharing of technical training and information, means that the two ports have an ongoing agreement to co-operate with each other with a view to gaining advantages in two main areas: internally - to improve technology, systems, skills, processes, etc., so that customers benefit; and, externally - to increase business. In addition, both ports have been three-time winners of the prestigious Caribbean Shipping Association (CSA) Port of the Year Award. Manzanillo won in 1999, 2000 and 2004, and PLIPDECO in 2001, 2002 and 2003.

The alliance between SSA Marine and PLIPDECO is expected to take Port Point Lisas to a new level of efficiency and productivity by assisting with Port management, improving technology, and enhancing the benchmarking against major international ports.

Source:

Sharon de Gannes
Manager, Marketing & Corporate Communications
Point Lisas Industrial Port Development Corporation Limited (PLIPDECO)

PLIPDECO House
Orinoco Drive
Point Lisas Industrial Estate
Point Lisas
Couva
Trinidad, W.I.

E-mail : sdegannes@plipdeco.com
Office : (1 868) 636-2201 Extension 3115
Mobile : (1 868) 687-4588
Fax : (1 868) 636-4008

Thursday 22nd February, 2007