– Laparkan sees bright future despite challenges
Air and ocean cargo industry leaders wrapped up three days of discussions on a range of issues which impact the operations of the industry as the Air and Sea Cargo Americas International Congress and Exhibition came to a close.
The industry leaders, drawn from major cargo airlines, airports, sea ports, ocean carriers, freight forwarders and regulators from around the world, agreed that despite the changes in the industry and the moderate recovery from the global recession the outlook for the future of the industry remains “encouraging and we see a bright future in the long term,” said Glen Khan, chairman of Laparkan Shipping.
“It is important however that the major players in the industry work together to overcome the challenges and build strong partnerships that will assure a safe and sustainably viable future for the industry,” Khan said.
He disclosed that Laparkan held bilateral meetings during the conference with a number of ocean carriers and airlines aimed at exploring opportunities for strengthening and expanding the company’s services next year. He cited as an example initial discussions with Antillean Marine which will be followed up on Tuesday “to look at strengthening and making more efficient our ocean cargo service delivery to some key destinations including Haiti.”
An important component of the discussions at the meeting Khan said was the United States Federal Maritime Commission’s proposed changes to ocean transportation intermediary regulations which would improve regulatory effectiveness by reducing regulatory burdens and streamlining processes while at the same time ensuring the laws are enforced. FMC Chairman Mario Cordero was a keynote speaker at the conference.
Laparkan Airways Network Manager John Green described the congress and exhibition as “very successful” noting that it provided an opportunity to market the company’s services to a host of manufacturers, distributors and other businesses which require air cargo service.
“We also initiated discussions with a number of companies in the industry about working together for mutual benefit and for the benefit of our customers. This is important given the shifts in trading patterns and supply chains,” Green said.
The Laparkan booth at the exhibition was a hive of activity as attendees gathered giveaways and sampled Caribbean style curry and roti wraps and the internationally acclaimed El Dorado rum from Guyana.
