Industry keeps its finger on the pulse at TOC Americas 2010

TOC Events Worldwide returned to South America in November with the 9th inaugural TOC Americas event. Staged for the first time in Argentina, this year's event provided delegates with an invaluable status report on global economic and maritime trade. This included a detailed insight into the outlook for the Americas, and the Latin and Caribbean maritime and port markets in particular. The well-attended conference sessions demonstrated that the shipping industry in South America understands the value of keeping its finger on the pulse of the latest developments.

Paul Holloway, Event Director of TOC Events Worldwide, commented: "We are delighted with the feedback we've received from delegates, exhibitors and visitors alike at this year's show. The record breaking number of high calibre attendees was especially impressive bearing in mind the economic climate within the port and terminal sector. Our revised commercial model and world class speaker line up helped to make TOC Americas a resounding success against all odds. The Port of Buenos Aires' river connections to Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay make it a distribution hub for much of the South American continent, which is one of the reasons we ran the event in Argentina."

TOC Americas conference
The TOC Events conferences are renowned for their high quality content and this year's TOC Americas conference did not disappoint. This thought was echoed by Pablo Riveira De La Rosa, Operations Director at the Port of Barranquilla (SPRB), who said: "This year's TOC Americas was an important event where delegates and visitors had the opportunity to discuss current and future issues and also meet with the people who are transforming the industry."

On day one in Buenos Aires, delegates joined a session devoted to the evolution of regional shipping networks. Speakers discussed global and regional factors driving liner shipping strategies and vessel deployments in the Americas trades and the impact on providers of port and landside transport infrastructure. During day two of the event, a panel of regional marine terminal executives gave its take on investment and development priorities for existing facilities, expansion projects and greenfield developments.

High-calibre delegates from across the region heard the latest developments in the industry from key speakers such as Julian Thomas, the President of Hamburg Süd South America (ECSA), Marcos Hansen, the Commercial Director of Maersk River Plate and Head of Centro de Navegación's Container Line Committee, Roberto Negro, CEO of ITL Exolgan in Argentina, Giovanni Benedetti, Commercial Manager at Sociedad Portuaria Regional de Cartagena (SPRC) of Colombia and Osvaldo Robles, Project Development Manager at SSA Latin America.

Innovate at TOC
Alongside the conference, a brand new feature at TOC Americas 2009 was Innovation Day. The popular addition to this year's event was open to delegates, exhibitors and visitors, providing the latest insight into the development and application of terminal technology and handling equipment. Sessions covered advances in terminal operating systems, process automation, equipment productivity and automation and how to reduce the environmental impact of container handling operations. Terminal operators and technology providers reviewed key developments in marine terminal IT and hardware, and offered advice to visitors on how to plan and evaluate technology investment to ensure best returns.

What was on the floor?
More than 40 companies exhibited at the three-day exhibition, showcasing new innovations including the likes of APS Technology Group, which showcased its Gate OCR system which is currently used to automatically ID containers during entry and exit at the Colon and Cristobal container ports in Panama. Local companies such as Empresa Portuaria Valparaíso and DRS Tactical Systems exhibited, alongside major global players including Cavotec, Liebherr, Halcrow, Gottwald Port Technology and Moffatt & Nicol.

Tango at TOC
Networking opportunities at TOC Events extend well beyond the formal conference and exhibition. At this year's event, delegates, exhibitors, speakers and VIPs were treated to a special event - Tango at TOC. The official networking reception, allowed executives to discuss ideas and opportunities whilst the evening was completed by a memorable tango experience against the 1940s style backdrop of the Esquina Carlos General.

TOC Americas 2010
TOC Americas returns to South America next year where the 2010 event will be hosted by Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 9-11 November 2010.

Source: Transportweekly