The Shipping Association of Trinidad and Tobago (SATT) will host its first Shipping and Logistics Conference on March 26 and 27, 2026 at the Hyatt Regency, Port of Spain. Minister of Works and Infrastructure, the Honourable Jearlene John will deliver the feature address on day one and the Minister of Trade, Investment and Tourism, Senator the Honourable Satyakama Maharaj will deliver the feature address on day two.
The Conference will fill a gap in the local conferencing landscape, by bringing local shipping and logistics stakeholders together in one space to discuss pertinent matters affecting trade and marine transportation. It will showcase renowned international speakers, local shipping and logistics executives, business executives as well as government officials, combining their expertise, experience, data; identifying challenges and offering recommendations and solutions.
Speakers include Lars Jensen, international maritime consultant and advisor; Dr. Jan Hoffmann, maritime transport and port specialist at the World Bank Group; the Comptroller of Customs and Excise, Mr. Riad Juman; local port executives; shipping agents; marine pilots; towage operators; leaders of local business chambers, legal and insurance specialists and environmental professionals.
The Conference agenda will feature engaging and relevant content. Topics of presentation will include the international context of shipping; port operations in relation to trade and transport; the evolution and future role of shipping agents; trade facilitation – needs of the business sector, the role of Customs, the function of marine operations and safety, and the role of technology; risk management related to marine and cargo interest; decarbonization in the shipping industry and capacity building.
The Conference’s goal is to share pertinent information, analysis, perspectives and schools of thought on critical issues affecting trade, the shipping and logistics industry. It aligns with one of the SATT’s strategic pillars of sharing of information and knowledge transfer to members and stakeholders.
The SATT has created an agenda that will add value to all interests in shipping and logistics, including ship owners/operators; shipping agents; port and terminal owners/operators; freight forwarders and other trade intermediaries and marine services providers. Also, to benefit are all users and suppliers to the industry, including: manufacturers; imports and exporters; government agencies and regulators; financial institutions and investors, business chambers and associations. In addition, the Conference will feature an exhibition space showcasing several members and other service providers, providing useful information on services and products.
Considering an estimated 80% of world trade, by volume, is carried by seaborne transport; our industry plays a critical role in getting everyday items into our homes. Therefore, the current geopolitical environment marked by the Middle East conflict creates a high degree of uncertainty and risk for shipping via the Strait of Hormuz, with further implications for shipping, international trade and economics worldwide. The timing of this Conference is therefore opportune; offering an intervention for industry stakeholders to receive up to date information that will improve decision making.
Details about the SATT
The SATT was established in 1938 and has evolved into a focused business support organisation, which actively advocates for its membership of over 80 organisations involved in ship agency, ship owning/operating, port and terminal operations, warehousing, trade intermediaries, marine transportation and marine services providers among others.
It has been a constant and consistent supporter of development in the shipping industry over the years. We have provided support to our membership, Government and other supply chain stakeholders though the provision of:
- advocacy services – consultation with membership to establish common positions on issues affecting the industry and communicating such positions to relevant entities, including government, statutory agencies among others.
- Technical advice – cooperating with relevant membership and conducting research on pertinent matters, which can be shared with membership, government or the wider industry, thus adding value to the body of industry research. This also adds value to our advocacy services.
- Training and Development – hosting of training and seminar events featuring well-reputed and specialist speakers presenting up-to-date information on pertinent topics to our membership and the wider industry.
Through our 87 year history we have been supporting members’ interest as well as wider industry interest. The SATT was originally established to provide stevedoring labour, on behalf our membership for their respective port operations. However with the establishment of the Port Authority in 1962, all employment functions fell under its purview. The SATT quickly pivoted and created a new role for itself leveraging the wealth of experience and technical knowledge of its membership and evolved into a new role as a consultative body and an advocate on matters related to shipping, a role which has been refined and developed over the years.
The SATT recognizes the positive impact of regional and international cooperation, the SATT is a member of the Caribbean Shipping Association and therefore cooperates with our regional fraternity to develop positions on critical regional and international issues. We also collaborate through representation on local bodies such as the Pilotage Authority; the Customs Brokerage Board; Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce – Transport and Logistics Committee; Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers Association – Infrastructure and Logistics Committee and Trinidad and Tobago Coalition of Service Industries (TTCSI). This demonstrates our commitment to collaborate locally, regionally and internationally to add value to our membership.
We are particularly focussing on building awareness among youth on the career opportunities in our industry and the requisite training and certification requirements. Our objective is to build awareness of our industry as a source of employment and also to have a cadre of potential employees ready for our industry. We also have been advocating with shipowners for graduates of the University of Trinidad and Tobago – Maritime Campus, to open opportunities for sea-time on their vessels, which is a requirement to progress in a seafaring career.
We recognise the important role of shipping to all other economic sectors and therefore we will work tirelessly to facilitate the development of an efficient shipping industry Trinidad and Tobago, through the execution of our services.
SATT To Host Major Shipping And Logistics Conference
