The Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA) successfully concluded the VIII Latin American and Caribbean Meeting of Logistics and Port Communities, organised through the Network of Digital and Collaborative Ports, and in collaboration with CAF-Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean and the Municipality of Veracruz, Mexico. This activity took place from 16 to 18 October 2024.

On its final day, as a result of the SELA-CAF Agreement to strengthen the value proposition of the Network of Digital and Collaborative Ports, the Action Plan 2030 was presented, which defines clear goals, including the consolidation of strategic partnerships, digitalisation and the promotion of the blue economy, ensuring continuous and sustainable growth for the region.

The updated value proposition provides a comprehensive framework for the operation and sustainability of the Network of Digital and Collaborative Ports. It ensures that activities and collaboration are aligned with the needs and expectations of members, fostering effective, enduring and regional development-oriented collaboration. To that end, it proposes twelve strategic projects and five key pillars to improve its efficiency, innovation and sustainability, for the period 2025-2030.

These pillars focus on operations and efficiency in the logistics chain; governance, collaboration and open innovation ecosystems; sustainability and blue economy; digitalisation, digital transformation and technology adoption; and networked regional ports. Pillars that seek to transform the Network into a leader of the port sector in the region.

In addition, it presented the creation of a Regional Collaborative Innovation space, made up of the Working Groups, which aim to promote inter-organisational collaboration to solve specific problems in the port field, promote innovation and improve logistical and operational processes.

The Network will make available the “Guidelines for the formation and development of port communities,” a detailed roadmap for the formation and development of port communities in the region. They are organised in eight modules ranging from the fundamentals and dynamics of port communities, through strategies and axes of port excellence, to guides for formalisation and sustainable development.

The Network of Digital and Collaborative Ports was created in 2014 at the initiative of the Permanent Secretariat of SELA, with the support and financing of CAF-Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean with the aim of identifying and promoting the best collaborative and institutional practices, characterised by the use of new forms of inter-organisational work, information and communication technologies (ICTs) for the electronic exchange of data, efficient logistics processes and the application of new and better standards of service to cargo and transport.

This eighth edition of the Meeting was held virtually with the participation of around 340 people each day, who, over six sessions, discussed topics such as the regional port system; international supply chains and maritime transport in a world of disruptions; maritime and port security; Industry 4.0 in the Port and Concessions and Public Private Partnerships in ports.

The VIII Latin American and Caribbean Virtual Meeting of Port Logistics Communities is part of SELA’s Work Programme for 2022 – 2026, specifically in the programmes for Trade Facilitation, focused on designing public policies to reduce costs and barriers in trade matters, opening new markets and positioning trade in Latin America and the Caribbean in international markets.

Click here to enjoy the three days of the eighth edition of the Meeting!

DAY 1