A strong voice in Panama
Mary Carmen Barrios has been elected to the Panama Chamber of Shipping and the Panama Logistics Business Council.
Mary Carmen Barrios, Head of Port & Cargo Operations for WW Ocean in Latin America and Panama, has for many years been leading our activities in the region. Recently, her leadership in the industry was recognized as she was selected for two important functions, ensuring the Wallenius Wilhelmsen group a seat at the table where the future of logistics for Panama is defined.
First, Mary Carmen was elected Secretary of the board of the Panama Chamber of Shipping in competition with 22 other candidates. The Panama Chamber of Shipping (CMP) was created 39 years ago, when the Torrijos-Carter treaties were signed between Panama and USA on Canal matters.
The Chamber has over 200 maritime & logistics companies in Panama as members and its main goal is to strengthen and grow the industry.
Second, the Chamber of Shipping nominated Mary Carmen to represent them at the Panama Logistics Business Council (COEL). The COEL represents 16 private executive organisations and after a new election process, she was elected unanimously as Treasurer of the new Board of Directors. COEL's main goal is to develop a logistics platform and serve as a reference to the Cabinet Council of the Republic of Panama on policies to allow the logistics activity to grow and define the future of logistics in Panama.
When the Panama canal was inaugurated in 1914, it singlehandedly changed the face of international trade.
As the land was divided the world united, and today 144 trade routes cross through what is one of the most important shipping and logistics hubs in the world. It also plays a central role for the Wallenius Wilhelmsen group:
- Wallenius Wilhelmsen Ocean (WW Ocean) moved through Panama 62,138 units and Eukor 2,038 units in 2017.
- Every single week, Wallenius Wilhelmsen uses Panama as a hub for some 65 connections, linking suppliers from the Americas, Asia, Europe, Oceania and Africa with customers all around the globe.
- Every year, up to 200 of our vessels transit the Panama Canal. Manzanillo port is the 4th most frequented port in the world for WW Ocean with 200 port calls per year.
