Panama and The Bahamas step up port cyber resilience with LAC4
Panama and The Bahamas strengthened maritime cybersecurity preparedness in September 2026 through specialised programmes led by the Latin America and Caribbean Cyber Competence Centre (LAC4). The exercises tested responses to ransomware, disruption of port and customs systems, manipulation of maritime positioning data and disinformation, extending a regional capacity-building effort that has already reached Ecuador, Colombia […]
St. Thomas Sets October Start for $41.9 Million Charlotte Amalie Harbor Dredging
The Virgin Islands Port Authority has confirmed that dredging at Charlotte Amalie Harbor in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, is scheduled to begin by October 12, 2026. The $41.9 million project aims to improve navigational access for larger cruise ships and expand the operational capabilities of one of the Caribbean’s major cruise destinations. The Virgin […]
Port transformation begins with people
As ports evolve through new operating models, digitalization and changing employee expectations, skills development, knowledge transfer and talent retention are becoming strategic priorities. Sybiel Jacott, Human Resource Manager at N.V. Havenbeheer Suriname, explains why workforce development, organizational culture and adaptability are central to port transformation. Port transformation is usually measured through infrastructure investment, terminal capacity […]
CARICOM Sets October 1 Deadline for Aviation and Maritime Operators to Switch to MDEX
CARICOM will retire its eAPIS portal on September 30, 2026, requiring aviation and maritime operators to submit passenger and crew manifests exclusively through the new MDEX platform from October 1. Commercial carriers, vessel operators, aircraft owners and port agents are being urged to complete the transition before the deadline. CARICOM prepares to retire eAPIS The […]
Maersk sets US$500 surcharge on South America–Caribbean cargo from October
Maersk has announced a US$500 peak season surcharge on dry container shipments from Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina to the Caribbean and U.S. Gulf Coast, effective October 8, 2026. The shipping company will also apply a US$1,000 surcharge on shipments from the same origins to the west coast of South America. In a tariff announcement […]
Royal Caribbean and Carnival Expand the Exclusive-Destination Model
Royal Caribbean Group, Carnival Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line are expanding their exclusive cruise destinations through new infrastructure, attractions and integrated guest experiences. Developments across the Bahamas and Mexico show how cruise companies are extending their role beyond ship operations, while local ownership arrangements and environmental approvals increasingly shape the development of these projects. […]
Guyana advances Berbice deep-water port as regional logistics plans take shape
Guyana is moving its proposed Berbice deep-water port closer to a decision point, with Bechtel expected to complete a full study of the project around November 2026. The port is being considered as part of a wider infrastructure strategy linking Region Six to new roads, bridges, industrial developments and a future trade corridor towards northern […]
Dr. Jules Sedney Port expands as Suriname’s offshore logistics needs grow
The Dr. Jules Sedney Port in Paramaribo is expanding its infrastructure as Suriname prepares for a new phase of offshore activity. On September 9, 2026, N.V. Havenbeheer Suriname launched construction of a 140-metre quay designed to increase operational capacity and support growing maritime and logistics demand linked to the country’s offshore oil and gas sector. […]
Galisbay, driving a new balance in port activity
In Saint Martin, the development of Galisbay Port is about more than expanding capacity. It reflects a broader ambition: strengthening the port’s role in a Caribbean maritime landscape increasingly structured around major port hubs and regional distribution networks. For the French side of the island, the challenge is to reinforce its logistical autonomy while acknowledging […]
Panama Canal tightens capacity as water constraints reshape transit planning
The Panama Canal has reduced booking availability as below-expected rainfall puts renewed pressure on water resources in Panama. The September 2026 measures are changing how scarce transit capacity is allocated across shipping segments, while the Río Indio project that could provide water equivalent to 11–15 daily Canal transits remains several years from completion. New capacity […]
Trinidad & Tobago connects ports and shipping through a new Port Community System
Trinidad & Tobago launched its Port Community System in March 2026 to connect vessel-clearance, port and logistics stakeholders through a shared digital environment. Voyage and maritime services are already operational, while cargo management, truck appointments and business intelligence remain under deployment, making the next phase critical to whether PortLink can connect the wider logistics chain. […]
Manzanillo prepares for the 24,000-TEU era
Mexico’s leading container gateway is moving into a new operational class. With Contecon Manzanillo now cleared to handle vessels of up to 24,000 TEU, the port is combining deeper access, terminal expansion and stronger Asia connectivity as container volumes continue to rise. The Port of Manzanillo is preparing for a larger generation of container ships […]