Port Miami welcomes MOL Majesty, first Neo Panamax ship to cross new Panama Canal channel
On July 9, Port Miami hosted a celebration to welcome the MOL Majesty, the first Neo Panamax ship to cross the new Panama Canal channel and stop at Port Miami. The occasion was also used to commemorate the Deep Dredge and Port Miami Tunnel projects that allowed for such a large ship to enter Port Miami.
MOL Majesty docked at Port Miami.
The festivities included a keynote address from Carlos A. Gimenez, Miami Dade County Mayor, who commented on the incredible level of cooperation between federal, state, and local authorities to arrive at this culmination. He spoke on the efficiency of the Port Miami Tunnel, 14,000 cars and trucks now leave the Port and directly enter the highway instead of congesting downtown, and the continued cooperation from organizations such as the Army Corps of Engineers and the Panama Canal Authority.
Carlos Gimenez, Miami-Dade County Mayor, pictured in the center with WTDC employees.
The Panama Canal Authority and PortMiami also publicly signed an MOU to share promotional resources on Saturday. Jorge Quijano, the administrator of the Panama Canal Authority, commended the local infrastructure projects completed to prepare for this new big-ship era, highlighting the rail connection that was reestablished with the Port.
WTDC pictured with Jorge Quijano, Panama Canal Authority.
The Japanese flagged MOL Majesty can transport 6724 TEUs (20-foot container equivalents) but is not nearly as large as the 14,000 TEU NeoPanamax ships which can now cross the Panama Canal’s new channel. By comparison, the biggest ships to previously cross the Panama Canal could only handle a payload of 5,000 TEUs.
Yutaka Uno, captain of the MOL Majesty, pictured in the center with WTDC employees.
Jose “Pepe” Diaz, Miami Dade County Commissioner, presented a ceremonial plaque to the ship’s captain Yutaka Uno and addressed the crowd: “The mega-ship era is here, and yes, PortMiami is proud and ready – very ready.”
Miami Herald: PortMiami joins big ship era
Maritime Professional: Panama Canal, PortMiami Renew MOU as Port Welcomes MOL Majesty
WSVN: PortMiami celebrates 1st to ship to travel through expanded Panama Canal
Francisco Roque named WTDC Employee of the Year
Congratulations to Francisco Roque, WTDC Operations, on being named Employee of the Year for the 2015-2016 fiscal year at our luncheon this week. Mr. Roque has demonstrated exceptional leadership abilities in the receiving, account transition, and order fulfillment for WTDC’s Duty-Free and Travel Retail Spirits accounts. Way to go Frank!
The employee of the Year Francisco Roque, WTDC Operations, left, pictured with Sean P. Gazitua, WTDC Vice President.
DBC Signature Breakfast:
Sizzling Hot Trade Talk
The Doral Business Council (DBC) invites you to join them on August 9th for the “Sizzling Hot Trade Talk,” part of its monthly Signature Breakfast series. International Business Reporter for the Miami Herald Mimi Whitefield will moderate a panel of International Trade speakers including Ralph L. Gazitua, WTDC President & CEO, who will share his experiences on the changing business climate with Cuba and the unique challenges it presents.
Tuesday, August 9th, 2016
InterContinental Hotel Doral
2505 NW 87 Ave.
Doral, FL 33172
Members $30 / Non-Members $45
7:30-8:00am Registration & Networking
8:00-9:00am Breakfast, Presentation
