THE Commonwealth Ports Authority is holding talks with major international shipping companies in its goal to develop the CNMI as a regional transshipment center.
“We’re seeing the CNMI as a major transhipment point for other Pacific islands such as Palau, Pohnpei, etc. so we’re developing our network to achieve this goal,” CPA Executive Director Carlos H. Salas said in an interview.
He said CPA is working actively to expand airport and seaport activities, targeting in particular, transshipment of sea cargo from the west coat to other Micronesian ports.
At the same time, Salas said CPA also holds negotiations with major Japanese cruiseliners to boost the number of passenger liners coming to Saipan.
He said CPA officials are scheduled to meet with Japanese investors to discuss possible invesment expansion on Saipan.
“We’ll go there. We’ll make arrangements with them as to whether they can expand their visits to Saipan, and to possibly consider a Saipan-based cruiseliner,” Salas said.
A Japanese cruise visits Saipan port every month.
He said CPA will also encourage the military to continue to promote Saipan as an R&R stop to colleagues.
Part of the agency’s plan is to work with Guam in promoting the CNMI and Guam among cruiseliners in North America, particularly in Miami, as a cultural destination.
He said Hawaii is already benefiting from such marketing.
“We want them to include us – CNMI and Guam, as part of their cruise tour,” Salas said.
He said such project requires a lot of work “but it’s very realistic.”
He said CPA will eventually tap the assistance of Marianas Visitors Authority in promoting the islands.
CPA has began identifying alternative programs to boost its revenue in view of the projected decline in cargo volumes with the proposed gradual phase out of the garment industry by 2005.
