Carlos Urriola elected 15th President of the CSA 

New CSA President inspired, energized

... sees CSA as a place for solutions

October 12, 2009 will always be the day that Carlos Urriola-Tam took over the leadership of the Caribbean Shipping Association, becoming its fifteenth President. On that day, in the late morning, in a crowded conference room in the Torarica hotel, he was unanimously elected by hundreds of delegates attending the 39th Annual General Meeting of the CSA.

As support for outgoing President Fernando Rivera, Carlos Urriola served three solid years as Vice President to one of the busiest Presidents the CSA has had. His speech to the delegates on taking over the reins showed he had grown into the job. It was as much an ode to the value and relevance of the the CSA as it was a pledge to service. That speech is presented here, in its entirety.

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CARIBBEAN SHIPPING ASSOCIATION

39th AGM, CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION

Paramaribo, Suriname

2009, October 12 - 14.

INCOMING PRESIDENT’S REMARKS

Carlos Urriola-Tam

IPP Fernando, Members of the General Council, members of the CSA, distinguished guests.

First of all, please allow me to express my heart-felt gratitude for the confidence you have expressed in electing me President of this great Association. I see this as a statement that you believe I am able to perform the tasks required of a CSA President; but more than this, that you expect me to do this job to the best of my ability.

If I was not confident in my own abilities to live up to your expectations, I would not have accepted this post. If I had any doubt whatsoever that I can take the CSA to the next level, to continue the great work started by 14 Presidents before me, I would not be standing here today making these comments.

I have been in the shipping industry for more years than I care to mention. I have rarely, if ever, seen it more difficult or challenging. I know that you know what I am talking about. Revenues are down; volumes are down; and, morale is sinking. Things are tough for everybody so we in the shipping business need not feel that we are the only ones suffering.

Unlike many other groups however, we have a source for finding solutions. We have a tool which will help us fix the problems. We have a resource to which we can turn to assist us in the recovery process. The resource I am referring to is the Caribbean Shipping Association.

For almost forty years, this great Association has provided the means and ways for us to identify, analyze and address problems in the regional shipping industry.

For almost forty years this Association has been a source of strength in our quest for answers and solutions.

The volume and high quality of the information, analyses and ideas which have flowed through the CSA have enlightened, empowered and encouraged us in our daily tasks of building successful maritime organizations in our respective territories. The CSA has been, for the shipping industry of the region, a ‘one stop shop’ for growth and development.

The CSA has been our rock of support. It has been the wind in our sails.

I am ever conscious of this fact. I have seen delegates arrive at CSA conferences with problems, and after our presentations and the tremendous amount of networking that we provide, they leave with solutions. The departure lounge at the airports when we leave CSA conferences reflect this. In the airport departure lounge, delegates leaving CSA meetings are generally in a happy, upbeat mood. That speaks volumes for this Association.

As President of the CSA my intention is to ensure that this Association continues to be a place where our members go to for solutions. I intend to carry this process forward and to improve and expand it wherever I can, with your support.

If the CSA continues this mission of delivering solutions that help the shipping industry of the Caribbean and Latin America to remain on an even keel and to grow, develop and expand, then our generation would have done its duty.

Be assured that:

• I am inspired by the growth that has taken place in this Association over almost 40 years.

• I am encouraged by the quality of the membership of General Council and the intellectual capabilities which this Association possesses in its membership.

• I am energized by the challenges that lie ahead.

• I am humbled by the confidence which you have now expressed in me.

Ladies and gentlemen, I thank you for the opportunity to serve.

g Out going President declares mission accomplished ... more

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