Mississippi, Panama authorities form partnership

Another link between South Mississippi and Panama was sealed yesterday when officials from the Mississippi State Port Authority and the Panama Canal Authority signed a partnership agreement that will bring business to both regions, reported The Sun Herald.

Governor Haley Barbour travelled to Panama with members of the port authority and signed the agreement that will provide joint marketing, information sharing and technology exchanges.

A US$5.25 billion expansion of the Panama Canal is under way that will allow more and wider ships to pass and the Port of Gulfport expansion is in the permitting process.

“Maritime commerce is vital to Mississippi’s economy, and the expansion of the Panama Canal provides the state with considerable opportunities for increased trade and worldwide shipping,” said Barbour.

“Through the partnership with the Panama Canal Authority, the Port of Gulfport will be able to offer even more businesses quick, affordable access to nearly three-quarters of American consumers.”

The Port of Gulfport is only one and a half hours from the shipping lanes, and close to interstate, rail and air service.

“It all fits together nicely,” said Jack Norris, president of the Gulf Coast Business Council. It also positions South Mississippi for international trade, he added.

In 2009, Mississippi exported more to Panama than anywhere except Canada and Mexico.

“For years the airport and port have been looking at this emerging market,” said Norris. In April, the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport signed a similar agreement with the Tocumen International Airport in Panama.

Bruce Frallic, director of the Gulfport airport, said the agreements between Gulfport and Panama are significant. “Both the port and the airport are recognised by the administration of Panama as having multi-modal capabilities.” That will focus the attention of companies doing business by ocean and air on South Mississippi, he said.

The new airport cargo centre in Gulfport is only three miles from the port. The interstate is five miles away and a federal grant will pay for infrastructure that will connect the rail at the port to three major class one railroads that cross in Hattiesburg.

“The potential’s huge,” said Norris.

Don Alee, director of the Port Authority, said the expanded Panama Canal will make Gulfport more competitive in shipping between both Asia and the West Coast of South America.

“Container traffic in the Gulf is going to increase significantly in the coming years,” said Norris. West Coast ports are clogged, which he said makes Gulfport a great entry point for the Midwest.
(Source:www.cargonewsasia.com)