Guam News - Guam News

Guam - Vice-Chairman of the Port of Guam Mike Benito welcomed the delegates to the 99th Annual Association of Pacific Ports [APP] Conference Thursday.

In brief remarks, Benito thanked the attendees for coming and highlighted the presentations that will be made including on the "Restructuring of Taiwan Ports, Adequate Port Insurance Coverage, Deploying Successful Port Leadership, Expanding Trade with a Changing China, Investing in Port Infrastructure and Managing Military Partnerships with Ports."

He also highlighted the modernization efforts underway at the Port of Guam which he said are "in line with the APP goals of increased efficiency, effectiveness and prosperity." 

READ Benito's remarks in FULL below:

Hafa Adai!

I am extremely honored to welcome all of you to the 99th Annual Association of Pacific Ports Conference being held here on our beautiful island.

I want to thank the APP and their Executive Director Dave Hunt for all of their hard work that has made this conference a reality. I also want to thank all of you for taking time out of your busy schedules to travel here for this important event. A very special welcome to APP President RMI Board Member James Matayoshi and all of our distinguished guests and visitors.

During your time here you will hear from experts in this industry on such timely issues as:  Restructuring Taiwan Ports, Adequate Port Insurance Coverage, Deploying Successful Port Leadership, Expanding Trade with a Changing China, Investing in Port Infrastructure and Managing Military Partnerships with Ports.

Since our collective goal is increased efficiency, effectiveness and prosperity for Pacific ports, these topics and expert advice will surely lead us all in that direction.

During this conference you also will hear from industry leaders such as Dan Allen -  the Ports and Harbors Practice Leader from Moffat & Nichol and Taiwan International Ports Corporation President Tai-Hsin Lee. Another expert will be our very own Port of Guam General Manager Mary Torres who will talk about our efforts to modernize and transform Guam’s only commercial sea port into a world-class facility. You will also be given a tour of our port and see first-hand what our plans are.

It is truly a proud moment for us to showcase for all of you the work we are doing on this crucial project. So many people and local and federal agencies have joined us in making this a reality and the Port of Guam is blazing the trail of progress here in our local government. Our modernization program falls in line with the APP goals of increased efficiency, effectiveness and prosperity and we are so pleased to highlight our efforts.

This annual conference coincides with our island’s annual celebration of the Liberation of our people from occupation during World War II. This year’s Liberation theme is “Imagine Guam: 68 Years of Progress through Peace.”  As you watch the parade, you will see first-hand the pride of our island and our people on display. This will be an exciting presentation of patriotism combined with cultural pride and I believe it is the perfect closing event for your time here on our beautiful and proud island.

Welcome again to the conference and please enjoy your stay on Guam… where America’s Day Begins.

Si Yu’us Ma’ase