These services include: 

• Advocacy
• Negotiation
• Technical advice
• Events management – training, lectures and seminars

The range of services aims at developing and sustaining an industry representation at the highest level both locally and internationally and assisting the membership to operate at international industry standards.

As a good corporate citizen, the Association also strives to assist Government and other agencies to develop the maritime sector and sensitize the public on maritime and shipping issues.

Apart from having a critical local presence, the SATT is affiliated with a number of regional multilateral associations, namely: the Caribbean Shipping Association (CSA), the Caribbean Latin American Action (CLAA), the Association of the Caribbean States (ACS) and the Economic Commission of Latin America and the Caribbean (UNECLAC). These affiliations assist the SATT in enhancing its services through the exchange of information and advocacy.

The Changing Role of the SATT

Following the independence of Trinidad and Tobago, the Government decided to nationalize the stevedoring operation of the Port, creating Port Contractors Ltd, which employed all labour on the port. This new body, majority owned by the Government, therefore, took over all labour employment function at the Port Authority, inevitably marginalizing the SATT.

However, all was not lost for the SATT. It was soon realized that an important role existed for the SATT in shipping mainly because of the wealth of experience and technical knowledge that its members brought to the industry. Thus, a new role for the SATT came to the fore; the Association functioned as a consultative body and a lobby on matters related to the waterfront.