Quijano makes Lloyd's 2016 list of most powerfulmen in the maritime world
The administrator of the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) Jorge L. Quijano, was chosen by Containerisation International (CI) a subsidiary of Lloyd’s List, among the “25 personalities, families and companies” who are a key in the transport of containerized cargo in 2016.
Considering Quijano a “true veteran” in the industry for having spent most of his adult life working for the Panama Canal, CI believes that this experience was crucial for him to overcome all obstacles and succeed in inaugurating the multi-million dollar expansion that opened on June 26, 2016.
He deserves applause for having pushed the expansion, “without major incidents or complications.
“The expanded waterway, now serves new routes for some of the world’s largest ships and is likely to have a far-reaching influence on global trade routes,” said CI’s article, titled “List of Powerful Container Industry Container Shipping’s Power List”.
The expansion of the Panamanian route – clearly a necessity for it to maintain its leadership in world trade – has not only been able to attract container ships with three times the capacity of the old locks, but has also captured new segments of cargo, such as liquefied natural gas vessels and large mineral and oil cargoes. In addition, the expanded Canal attracted seven Neo-panamax ships.
Also, the expanded Canal has substantially increased the transshipment capacity of Panama, generating the need for a new port on the Pacific coast (Corozal).
Other powerful figures
The year 2016 was marked by the bankruptcy of the Hanjin shipping company of South Korea, classified by CI as “the biggest and most shocking” in history, whose effects will be felt in the years to come. It also witnessed consolidation in fewer and stronger shipping lines, and the development of alliances and strategies to lower shipping costs, including taking advantage of economies of scale and the transshipment business.
The list of industry drivers and influencers includes many family businesses and entrepreneurs for the Canal, ports and maritime auxiliary services in this country, such as the Maersk Group, headed by its chief executive, Søren Skou, who since October 2016, manages the Transport and Logistics Division, and Robert Uggla, chief executive of AP Moller Holding, the Group’s main shareholder.
In an action that could impact the future of the maritime industry, Maersk shipping company, port operator APM Terminals, its logistics arm Damco, as well as Svitzer (focused on port productivity and economy) and Maersk Container Industry, have been integrated into a single operation “for maximizing synergies.”
The list also includes CMA/CGM, the third largest shipping company in the world and the French Saadé family – led by Jacques, Rodolphe and Tanya -, the main shareholders of CMA/CGM, that surprised the shipping world when, in late 2015, it beat Maersk Line in the bid and claims for the acquisition of Singapore’s powerful shipping company Neptune Orient Overseas (NOL) and its port and container arm APL. Mediterranean Shipping Co. (MSC) that has the second largest container ship fleet in the world and a member of the powerful 2M Alliance, is owned by the Italian Aponte family. Its founder and president, Giancarlo, his son Diego, his daughter Alexa Aponte Vago and her husband, Pierfrancesco Vago, have been key factor in the development experienced by this shipping company.
Interestingly, three of the four global port operators that pre-qualified for the development and operation of the Corozal port terminal are listed on the Lloyd’s list of Maritime Industry Powerhouses 2016. They are APM Terminals, owned by the Maersk Group; Terminal Link, of the CMA CGM group, and Terminal Investments Limited (TIL), owned by MSC.
Source: The Bulletin Panama