Port Management Association of the Caribbean (PMAC) Panel on Cruise Industry Adaptation to Climate Mandates

Published on June 27, 2024

Port Management Association of the Caribbean (PMAC) Panel on Cruise Industry Adaptation to Climate Mandates.
Humberto de Castro, CEO of Curaçao Ports Authority had the honor of moderating a distinguished panel at the recent Port Management Association of the Caribbean (PMAC) conference, focusing on the Cruise Industry Adaptation to Climate Mandates. The panel featured esteemed representatives from both the port and cruise-line sectors:
– Mr. Nicholas Rose, Head of ESG, Royal Caribbean Group (Virtual)
– Mr. Tom Strang, Senior Vice President – Maritime Affairs, Carnival Corp & plc (Virtual)
– Mr. Sheldon Layne, Manager – Terminal Operations, Barbados Port Inc.
– Mr. Keevan Gipson, Executive Coordinator, Port St. Maarten
Our discussion delved into various topics, with a primary emphasis on the implications of the International Maritime Organization’s Carbon Intensity Indicator (IMO CII) measures and their impact on Caribbean cruise destinations.
“In Curaçao, we have been adhering to the ISO 14001 environmental management standard for almost a decade. This commitment ensures that we annually demonstrate continuous improvement in reducing the carbon footprint of port authority operations. Moreover, we fully support and sponsor the management of more than 15km stretch of underwater marine park, safeguarding this national treasure for future generations.
We have also implemented a fully digitalized process for all maritime services provided by the port authority. Our modern vessel traffic management system allows us to monitor our on-time performance meticulously. Digital devices installed on all service vessels and carried by our pilots record critical milestones during service operations. This system identifies the precise root cause of any delay, enabling us to take corrective actions promptly and effectively.
By improving efficiency and enabling precise scheduling, this system allows vessels to plan just-in-time arrivals. This reduces the time ships spend idling or waiting to dock, leading to lower fuel consumption and reducing emissions. Thus, our commitment to operational efficiency not only enhances service reliability but also contributes to our environmental sustainability goals.”
Similar initiatives and policies are being implemented throughout the region, but the new IMO measures will require significantly more effort from all of us in the industry to mitigate their impact on the cruise sector.