Panamanian Ambassador to the United States Jaime Aleman speaks to a packed crowd at the Opportunity Panama conference at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota.

U.S. Congressman Vern Buchanan and Panamanian Ambassador to the United States Jaime Aleman headlined the event, which garnered praise from both attendees and presenters.

“I thoroughly enjoyed attending and participating,” said Franc Pigna, managing director of Aegir Port Property Advisors LLC who spoke at the event about which ports in what regions would benefit from the expansion of the Panama Canal. “Hearty congratulations to event organizers on an excellent job putting together a very fine program, one of the best I have attended recently for a port or city of any size.”

Attendance exceeded expectations for members of the International Business Council (IBC), a two-county committee comprised of Manatee and Sarasota trade executives, who coordinated and organized the conference.

“We were going to be happy with 100 people attending and we ended up with double that, so we’re very pleased,” said Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce President and IBC Board Member Steve Queior.

The list of conference speakers in addition to His Excellency Aleman and Rep. Buchanan (R-Sarasota) included:
U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam;
Former U.S. Rep. Jerry Weller;
Juan Carlos Croston, Manzanillo International Terminal-Panama;
Joan Manuel Guevara, Colon Free Zone Secretary General;
Liz Reilly, U.S. Chamber of Commerce TradeRoots Director;
Surse Pierpoint, Colon Free Zone Users Association;
Franc Pigna, Agier/Drewry;
Bill Ralph, R.K. Johns & Associates;
Sandra Campbell, U.S. Commercial Service;
Ivan Barrios, Enterprise Florida;
Belinda Hess and Sean Dodson, CSX Transportation;
and more.

During the event, Sarasota Mayor Kelly Kirschner and Sarasota City Commissioner Richard Clapp presented Ambassador Aleman with the key to the city for his continued support of Manatee and Sarasota counties.

Organizers anticipate hosting similar conferences in the future focusing on different countries and regions that present significant international trade opportunities.

For additional information about Opportunity Panama, contact Steve Tyndal at styndal@portmanatee.com.

Nearly 200 people from as far away as California attended the Opportunity Panama conference.

back to headlines

Port Dolphin Receives
Deepwater Port License

The U.S. Maritime Administration issued a deepwater port license April 19^th to Port Dolphin Energy LLC for ownership, construction and operation of a proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) port 28 miles off the coast of Manatee County, Fla.

With MARAD’s deepwater port license, LNG tankers would arrive at Port Dolphin’s offshore facility and then connect to a new undersea pipeline system that would come onshore at Port Manatee. Port Dolphin’s vessels will be outfitted to regasify its cargo of LNG, returning it to a gaseous state onboard the offshore ships. The natural gas would then be fed into a submerged pipeline, ultimately serving customers throughout Florida.

back to headlines

What Do You Think?

Port Manatee recently launched its newly redesigned website www.portmanatee.com and distributed its first Deepwater E-newsletter. The new tools provide comprehensive port information and timely port developments. If you haven’t already done so, please visit the redesigned website and let port officials know what you think.

If you know someone who may be interested in learning more about Port Manatee, click Forward email at the bottom of this page to send the latest Deepwater issue to their inbox. Those interested may sign up for the newsletter by visiting the port’s website and clicking on Sign Up For E-Newsletter on the right side of the home page.