Page 24 - Layout 1

ISSA 59 Panama

All aboard for Panama

With the ISSA Assembly and Congress to be staged in Panama on
Friday 30th and Saturday 31st May 2014, ship suppliers from across

the globe are preparing for this vibrant event but no one more so than

members of the Panamanian Association of Ship Suppliers. Here, the

association’s President, Vikash Deepak, explains why this event is so
significant to his members and suppliers from across the globe

Q
: What do you think are the event of this nature in Panama will help
greatest issues and challenges for ship to change negative perceptions towards

suppliers based in Panama at this time?
our industry here. We believe it will
have a tremendously positive impact on A: I believe the biggest challenge we our type of service. This has been an

how our country is viewed and give face is the perception of customers ongoing issue where our industry has
recognition to the fact that the ship towards us. Many customers still view lobbied with the government to create

supply industry is growing at the same Panama not as it is today but as it was new facilities dedicated to logistics and
positive rate as the rest of the maritime twenty years ago - the perception of this not only includes ship suppliers but

sector in Panama. Panama has some of being an expensive and unreliable port all companies who carry out some sort
the best transhipment ports in the for supply but this is not the reality of of service onboard the vessels. We have

region as well as a growing, efficient Panama today. Suppliers here have made some progress as through
logistics sector and its duty free zones come a long way and many have pressure from our Association, other

and of course, the soon to be become suppliers of excellent quality. local terminals have started investing in

inaugurated third set of locks for the With its economic boom and dedicated areas for our industry – they
Panama Canal.
developing maritime sector, highlighted recognise seeing its potential for

by the Panama Canal, Panama is on its Q: What are the main activities and growth, but until this is done we still
way to becoming a major player in the concerns of the Panamanian have a lot of work to do. The presence

ship supply sector in the coming years. Association of Ship Suppliers at this of multipurpose logistics ports will help
You have to realise that almost 90% of time and how are local ship suppliers Panamanian suppliers to be even more

supplies are made at anchorage on both working together to improve and build effective and reduce unnecessary costs,
sides of the canal while vessels await on the local supply industry?
so that vessels can receive excellent

transit and this gives a very limited service at moderate prices.
A: As the association of suppliers is
window of time in which to carry out still small, we work through the Q: What would you say to ship

supplies efficiently. The ability to carry Maritime Chamber of Panama which suppliers who are considering making

out these operations in short time has has opened a lot of doors for us and this the trip to Panama for the ISSA event?
made suppliers in Panama highly A: Don’t miss this great opportunity will also help more members to join our

efficient.
to meet fellow suppliers from across the ranks. As most supplies are made at
Q: The ISSA Assembly and world, to exchange ideas and create anchorage, this requires barge and

Congress will take place in Panama this great partnerships for the future. launch services, to carry out such
May – what do you hope will be gained Panama is considered the hub of the operations but these services have been

from holding this event?
Americas - you will be surprised what limited to access from marinas and
you can accomplish here. A: As previously stated, holding an cruise ports which are not reliable for

I

22 The SHIP Supplier Issue 60 2014