Registration for the Maritime and Logistics Trade Mission in Latin America is now open!

The maritime and logistics sectors in Latin America offer diverse opportunities for investment and innovation, driven by the region's strategic geographical position, natural resources, and growing trade volumes. According to the Latin American Development Bank (CAF) over 58 billion USD of investments in the port sector are needed in Latin America by 2040, of which 15 billion USD are expected to be invested in the next few years. 

Explore these and other opportunities for your company and broaden your network by joining this mission; representatives from most Latin American port authorities and private port terminals will participate in both conferences, Repica and TOC Americas and individual matchmaking will be organized.

The Costa Rican government estimates that in October of this year the bidding process for the modernization of the Caldera Port will be ready. The investment needed is estimated at 600 million USD and will be developed through a concession that would operate as of 2026. There is also a plan to build a marina and cruise terminal in Costa Rica’s Limón province; the project is aimed at increasing cruise ship and yacht traffic and involves estimated capex of 854 million USD.

Panama, too, has vast potential: it is a regional hub, and on a global scale, the Panama Canal plays a pivotal role in trade facilitation by linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. After the recent elections in May of this year, Panama´s new administration announced plans for the execution of mega infrastructure projects such as the construction of the train from Panama-City to David and the development of Corozal Port. But Panama also faces challenges such as the low water levels in the Panama Canal due to drought. Dutch companies are well positioned to provide solutions for these challenges and capitalize on these opportunities. 

Repica, 24-27 September, Costa Rica

The Costa Rican component of the trade mission will take us to the Reunion Portuaria del Istmo Centroamericano (Repica), organized by the Central American Commission for Maritime Transportation (COCATRAM), The Ministry of Public Works and Transport of Costa Rica), and Port Authorities JAPDEVA and INCOP.  Some of the themes that will be discussed during this Congress are:

• Development Opportunities for the Port Industry in Central America
• Expectations, Challenges, Opportunities and Trends of the Shipping Industry in Latin America
• Challenges for Strengthening Port Environmental Management
• Generating Value Added Activities in Supply Chains
• Port Protection and Port Security
• Digitalisation and Port Automation

There are site visits planned to Puerto Caldera and to Puerto Moin. Individual match-making meetings will be held during the event for participants in the mission.

TOC Americas, 1-3 October, Panama 

The Panamanian component of the trade mission will be organized around the Terminal Operators Conference (TOC) Americas. For over two decades, TOC Americas has been one of the premier gatherings for the regional ports and container supply chain industry. This comprehensive event brings together industry leaders, experts, and innovators to explore the latest trends, technologies, and solutions that are shaping the future of maritime commerce. 

As part of the conference, arrangements are being made for a session with participation from mission participants on the energy transition promoting best practices and solutions from the Netherlands and on how these can be implemented in Latin America (This activity is to be confirmed). 

Tailor-made matchmaking and networking meetings will be organized during the Conference for mission participants

Participating companies from the Kingdom (Netherlands, Curaçao, Aruba and St Maarten)

The aim of this mission is to promote Dutch innovative solutions for port development and connect companies from the Kingdom of the Netherlands with new Latin American clients. The following types of companies from The Netherlands, Curacao, Aruba and St Maarten, located either in the region or in The Netherlands, are invited to participate in the mission: 

• Suppliers of port equipment and services
• Companies providing auxiliary maritime and logistics services
• Providers of port construction, development, and operations
• Dredging and other wet construction companies
• Shipbuilders and maritime industry
• Shipping companies and operators
• Experts in port digitalization
• Consultants

Your company is recommended to participate at the level of general manager or regional business/country manager. 

Programme

• September 24-27 Costa Rica, including participation at Repica, individual matchmaking and two port visits. 
• October 1-3 Panama, including participation at TOC Americas, individual matchmaking, participation, and promotion of your company in the energy transition session (tbc) and networking events.

Further programme details will follow as soon as possible.

Costs Trade Mission Repica Costa Rica

The participation is $1.000 per company for a place in the shared Kingdom of the Netherlands stand of 18m² or 3.000 USD per company for a stand-alone booth (2m x 2m). Spaces are limited to 10-12 companies so admission will be on a first come first served basis. 

Costs Trade Mission TOC Americas, Panama 

The participation fee is €1.500 per person. This includes full access to the TOC Americas trade exhibition floor, conferences, and networking events, in addition to b2b matchmaking and a place in the shared Kingdom of the Netherlands stand of 18m2 (NB – the regular price of a full pass to attend TOC Americas for non-trade mission participants is $ 1,595). Space is limited to 8 participants so admission will be on first come first serve basis. 

For both missions the fees exclude travel, accommodation, and personal expenses. 

Registration and more information 

Register here to Repica in Costa Rica by 9 August. For more information please contact: Hans Buhrs, hans.buhrs@minbuza.nl

Register for the Trade Mission to TOC Americas Panama by clicking here before August 9^th. 

For more information on the trade mission to Panama, please contact: Monica Webb, monica.webbbatista@minbuza.nl  or Carlijne Blom, director@hollandhousepanama.com