Port authorities, maritime operators and industry stakeholders from across the Caribbean will gather in Paramaribo this July for the 29th Annual General Meeting of the Port Management Association of the Caribbean (PMAC). Scheduled to take place from 8 to 10 July 2026 at the Royal Torarica Hotel, the event will be hosted by PMAC in collaboration with N.V. Havenbeheer Suriname, the country’s port management company.
The annual meeting is expected to bring together key officials from port authorities, associate members, strategic partners and businesses operating across the maritime and logistics sectors. Designed as a platform for collaboration and dialogue, the gathering will focus on the evolving challenges and opportunities facing the region’s port industry.
A major gathering for the Caribbean port industry
The PMAC Annual General Meeting is considered one of the main coordination forums for the Caribbean port community. The association brings together port authorities and industry partners from across the region to encourage cooperation, share best practices and support the development of port infrastructure and maritime logistics.
Each year, the meeting offers an opportunity for port executives, logistics companies, maritime service providers and institutional partners to exchange perspectives on the future of the industry. Beyond the formal meetings of PMAC members, the event also provides a space for networking and engagement between public authorities and private sector stakeholders involved in port operations and maritime trade.
Discussions focused on global transformation of the port sector
The 2026 edition will be held under the theme “Transitioning in an era of global change.” The theme reflects the profound transformations currently reshaping the maritime and logistics sectors worldwide, including shifts in global trade patterns, digitalisation of port operations and evolving supply chain dynamics.
These discussions are expected to highlight the need for Caribbean ports to adapt to a rapidly changing global environment while strengthening regional cooperation and operational efficiency. For many ports in the region, modernising infrastructure, improving logistics performance and integrating new technologies have become key priorities in maintaining competitiveness.
Three days of meetings, presentations and technical sessions
The three-day programme will include a series of strategic meetings, presentations and technical sessions involving PMAC members and industry partners. The event will open with a formal ceremony followed by focal sessions and presentations from port members addressing current developments in the sector.
Closed business meetings will allow PMAC port members and associate members to review organisational matters, including financial statements, working group reports and future initiatives. Strategic partner presentations and technical sessions will also form part of the programme, providing additional insight into emerging trends and solutions for the port industry.
The agenda also includes networking and cultural events designed to encourage dialogue among participants, as well as a port tour offering delegates the opportunity to gain direct insight into Suriname’s maritime infrastructure. The meeting will conclude with an awards gala recognising contributions within the Caribbean port community.
Paramaribo at the centre of Caribbean port cooperation
By hosting the 2026 Annual General Meeting, Suriname positions Paramaribo as a focal point for regional maritime cooperation. The event provides an opportunity to strengthen relationships between Caribbean port authorities and industry partners while highlighting the role of the country’s port sector within regional trade networks.
As global shipping and logistics systems continue to evolve, gatherings such as the PMAC AGM play an important role in helping port leaders across the Caribbean exchange ideas, coordinate strategies and prepare for the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of the maritime industry.
