A high-level initial meeting between the ports of
Gibraltar and Algeciras took place this morning in Algeciras,
under the umbrella of the Los Barrios process to begin discussing
matters of mutual interest.
The meeting was presided over by the Minister for
Trade, Industry and Communications, Hon Joe Holliday, and
the President of the Algeciras Port Authority, Manuel Moron.
Also present at the meeting was the President of the Mancomunidad
de Municipios, Juan Montedeoca.
The Gibraltar delegation also comprised Richard Garcia,
Chief Executive of the Ministry for Trade, Industry and Communications;
James Ferro, Captain of the Port; Flavio Madeira, Minister
Holliday's Private Secretary; and Stephen Ramagge, Gibraltar
co-ordinator under the Los Barrios process. The Algeciras
delegation also comprised Jose Luis Hormaechea, Director of
the Algeciras Port Authority; Eduardo Villalba, the secretary
of the Algeciras Port Authority and the assistant Captain
of the Port of Algeciras. Also present was Jose Manuel Alcantara,
Spanish co-ordinator under the Los Barrios process.
Minister Holliday expressed his satisfaction at the
success of the initial meeting, and was pleased that a meeting
had been held between both ports, given that they share the
same Bay, they need to face similar problems and they can
therefore both benefit from positive synergies from a common
approach to certain aspects of the operation of both ports.
The meeting identified and explored the possibilities
of collaboration in areas of mutual interest, such as the
marine environment, safe operation of shipping in the Bay,
port activity and the commercial dimension of both ports,
among other topics. The meeting also considered the first
draft of the programme for the 1st Symposium of the Ports
of the Strait of Gibraltar.
Particular interest was expressed in the possibility
of a direct ferry link between Gibraltar and Algeciras, an
initiative which enjoys the support of both Port Authorities.
There are commercial entities interested in this project,
and they will need to submit their proposals for consideration
and approval by the appropriate relevant authorities.
After the meeting, both delegations toured the Port
of Algeciras and its installations. The authorities from Algeciras
will return the visit to the Port of Gibraltar in the near
future.
