GPA signs marketing agreement with Suez Canal

GPA signs marketing agreement with Suez Canal The Georgia Ports Authority said Monday it has signed an agreement with the Suez Canal Authority to jointly promote the all-water shipping route between the Asia/Indian Subcontinent and the North American East Coast and the Port of Savannah via the Suez.
   'The Suez Canal has become a crucial canal for world trade and, in recent years, has experienced rapid growth,' said GPA Chairman Steve Green in a statement. 'In all of our key Suez trade lanes, whether Southeast Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, or the Middle East, our growth is outpacing most other East Coast ports.'
   The Memorandum of Understanding agreement provides both parties the opportunity to promote a strong working relationship and exchange information and expertise in the areas of marketing, operations and information technology. The agreement also calls for concerted efforts to expand international trade by supporting the market presence in their respective countries and with common customers.
   In 2007, 67 percent of GPA's total increase in trade, or an additional 296,989 TEUs, was via the Suez Canal.
   'In the last 18 months, we have doubled the number of our Suez services, even in the midst of a U.S. economic downturn,' said GPA Executive Director Doug J. Marchand. 'Our Suez trade will only continue to accelerate in the years ahead.'
   GPA also has strategic partnerships with the Shanghai International Port Group, Sydney Ports Corporation, Panama Canal Authority and Port of Shimizu in Japan.