Panama: The Gateway Connecting the Americas to the World
The Maritime Convention of the Americas (MCA) is the leading business and cooperation platform for the maritime, logistics, and port industries of the Western Hemisphere.
Hosted by the Panama Maritime Chamber, MCA 2026 will bring together global decision-makers to explore investment opportunities, strengthen regional alliances, and showcase Panama’s role as the strategic maritime hub of the Americas.
Sponsors
Gold sponsor
Bronze sponsor
Institutional Partner
Partners
Media Partners
Strategic Partner
Destination
Main Objectives | The Maritime Convention of the Americas (MCA)
Promote high-level networking between international companies, investors, and institutions.
Present Panama’s National Maritime Strategy to the global market.
Facilitate real business opportunities throug
Encourage innovation, sustainability, and digital transformation within the sector.
Speakers
His Excellency Arsenio Domínguez – Secretary General
Plenary: Opening remarks
International Maritime Organization (IMO)
Mr. Paul Pathy
President & CEO
Topic: Trade Under Pressure: The Commercial Reality of Shipping
Baltic and International Maritime Council | BIMCO
David Loosley
Secretary General & CEO
Topic: Opening remarks for the 2nd day of MCA conferences
Baltic and International Maritime Council | BIMCO
Tim Wilkins
Managing Director
Topic: Building Resilient Energy Supply Chains in an Era of Geopolitical Uncertainty.
International Association of Independent Tanker Owners (INTERTANKO)
Thomas Kazakos
Secretary General
Topic: Beyond the Horizon: Forging ahead through uncertainty.
International Chamber of Shipping (ICS)
Mercedes Pardo
CEO
Topic: Training & Talent: Facing Industry Challenges
Spanish Maritime Institude
Hugo Canella
Account Manager for Brazil, Panama, Guyana and Suriname
Topic: The Future of Maritime Regulation: Balancing Innovation, Safety and Global Trade
Lloyd’s Register’s
Erik Plaisier
Regional Business Developer for Latin America
Topic: The Future of Maritime Regulation: Balancing Innovation, Safety and Global Trade
Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Lucas Gastaldi
Partner
Topic: Geopolitics and the global trade 2026 update.
McKinsey Panamá
Dovi Eisenman
President
Topic: Colon Free Trade Zone: Connecting the Americas.
Colon Free Trade Zone Chamber of Commerce
Juan Lorenzo Castillo Paulino
Head of the Mining Department
Topic: How Maritime Governance Incorporates Multilateral Environmental Agreements.
General Directorate of Customs of the Dominican Republic.
Moderator: Capt. Orlando Allard
Plenary Session: Securing Global Trade and Maritime Transportation in an Age of Uncertainty.
Panama Maritime Chamber
Dafne Anghelidis
EXCO Member
Plenary Session: Securing Global Trade and Maritime Transportation in an Age of Uncertainty.
WISTA International
Eduardo Carrasquilla
Administrator General
Topic: Modernization, Sustainability, and Cooperation – The Panamanian Model in the Fisheries Sector
Aquatic Resources Authority of Panama - ARAP
Peter Phillips
Founder & Director
Topic: Maritime Digitalisation: Can we achieve global interoperability without compromising security or losing control
Maritime Passport
Milaika Capella – Ras
General Manager
Topic: CSA’s Strategies and Vision for Regional Maritime Development in the Short and Medium Term
Caribbean Shipping Association (CSA)
Jones Soares
Director
Topic: Diversification of the Transportation Matrix, the Blue Economy, and New Low-Carbon Business Opportunities
Transpetro
Moderator: Dr. Arthur James Rivas
External Energy Transition Expert
Global Gateway Green Shipping Corridors and Hubs: Feasibility Study of the Green and Digital Corridor Algeciras-Panama
Delegation of the European Union to Panama.
Matteo Banti
Head to Costa Rica, Panama and Central America.
Global Gateway Green Shipping Corridors and Hubs: Feasibility Study of the Green and Digital Corridor Algeciras-Panama
EU’s Regional Cooperation
Beatriz González
Decarbonization Specialist
Global Gateway Green Shipping Corridors and Hubs: Feasibility Study of the Green and Digital Corridor Algeciras-Panama
Panama Canal Authority (ACP)
Juan Pablo Pérez
Head of Port Planning
Global Gateway Green Shipping Corridors and Hubs: Feasibility Study of the Green and Digital Corridor Algeciras-Panama
Port of Algeciras Bay Authority (APBA)
Moderator: Beatriz Castillo
Financing Challenges and Opportunities for the Maritime Sector
Raúl Arosemena
VP, Commercial and SME Banking
Financing Challenges and Opportunities for the Maritime Sector
BAC Panamá
Fausto Arroyo
Senior Executive – Specialist in Transport, Logistics, and Regional Integration.
Financing Challenges and Opportunities for the Maritime Sector
CAF, Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean
José Cubías
Executive Commercial Manager
Financing Challenges and Opportunities for the Maritime Sector
Caja de Ahorros
- Conference Acess
- Access to the Trade Exhibition
- Badge
- Digital Certificate of Participation
- Lunches
- Coffee breaks
Get your access easily and quickly online
Registration fee as delegate will increase after this date
SUPPLIER - B2B MEETING SESSION SPOT
- Entitlement to one (1) table for a decision-maker from your company during the convention’s business matchmaking session, allowing you to schedule meetings with qualified buyers.
- Access to the scheduling platform with buyers and your company profile.
- Tabletop sign with your company’s name and logo on your table in the B2B matchmaking room.
- Badges
- Welcome kit
- Lunches
- Coffee breaks
- Access to the event's conferences and trade show
- Invitation to the event's welcome reception
What makes MCA different
Unlike traditional exhibitions, MCA is built around connection and action, combining conferences, workshops and commercial exhibition with an exclusive Doing Business Program that connects global buyers with qualified suppliers through pre-schedu- led one-to-one meetings and technical site visits to Panama´s keys maritime and logistics facilities.
Is not just and event – is the platform where the America´s maritime future takes place.
30+
Global Leading Companies
400+
International Participants
2+
Days of Business, Innovation & Partnerships
100+
Important naval sectors
Panama City · May 7–8, 2026
MCA 2026
Academic Agenda
Maritime Chamber Annual Conference · Preliminary Program
* Program subject to updates
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Protocol and Global Leadership
Registration
Networking Coffee Break
Opening Ceremony
Gerardo Bósquez · President, MCA 2026 Organizing Committee
René Gómez · President, Panama Maritime Chamber
H.E. Arsenio Domínguez · Secretary General, International Maritime Organization (IMO)
H.E. José Raúl Mulino · President of the Republic of Panama
Welcome Address for the Plenary Session
Sergio Bacci · President, Transpetro
Plenary Session: Securing Global Trade and Maritime Transportation in an Age of Uncertainty
Moderator: Orlando Allard · Panama Maritime Chamber
Arsenio Domínguez · Secretary General, International Maritime Organization (IMO)
Tim Wilkins · Managing Director, Intertanko
Dafne Anghelidis · WISTA International EXCO Member
Thomas Kazakos · Secretary General, International Chamber of Shipping
David Loosley · Secretary General & CEO, BIMCO
Trade Under Pressure: The Commercial Reality of Shipping
Paul Pathy · President & CEO, Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO)
Building Resilient Energy Supply Chains in an Era of Geopolitical Uncertainty
Tim Wilkins · Managing Director, Intertanko
Juan Diego Reyna · President, Panamanian Shipowners Association (introductory remarks)
Decarbonization of the Maritime Sector: Current Situation
H.E. Ginette Testa · Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Panama to the International Maritime Organization (IMO)
Maximizing Fleet Performance: Technical and Operational Strategies for Energy Optimization
Moderator: Aládar Rodríguez Díaz
Jesús Ortega · Master Marine, APOM
Gabriel Fuentes · Associate Professor, Norwegian School of Economics
Edilberto Peralta · Commercial Manager, Lloyd's Register
Panama, the Strategic Hub for Global Logistics
Comfort Break
Colón Free Trade Zone: Connecting the Americas
Dovi Eisenman · President, Colón Free Trade Zone Chamber of Commerce
How Maritime Governance Incorporates Multilateral Environmental Agreements
Juan Lorenzo Castillo Paulino · Head of the Mining Department, General Directorate of Customs of the Dominican Republic
Geopolitics and Global Trade: 2026 Update
Lucas Gastaldi · Partner, McKinsey Panama
Friday, May 8, 2026
Strategy and Sustainability
Registration & Networking
Opening Remarks
René Gómez · President, Panama Maritime Chamber
David Loosley · Secretary General & CEO, BIMCO
National Maritime Strategy
Rodolfo Sabonge · Director General of National Planning, Institute for Development Planning (MEF)
Panama Canal Authority — Revenue Diversification Program
Rafael Pirro · Ancillary Activities Development Officer, Panama Canal Authority (ACP)
Modernization, Sustainability and Cooperation: The Panamanian Model in the Fisheries Sector
Eduardo Carrasquilla · Chief of International Cooperation, Panama Aquatic Resources Authority (ARAP)
Vision on Water Resources: National Source and Use Matrix
National Council of Private Enterprise (CONEP)
Coffee Break & Visit to the Exhibition Area
Beyond the Horizon: Forging Ahead Through Uncertainty
Thomas Kazakos · Secretary General, International Chamber of Shipping
CSA's Strategies and Vision for Regional Maritime Development in the Short and Medium Term
Milaika Capella Ras · General Manager, Caribbean Shipping Association (CSA)
Future Ports in a Changing World: Dutch Innovation for a Sustainable and Connected Maritime Future
Erik Plaisier · Regional Business Developer for Latin America, Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Training & Talent: Facing Industry Challenges
Mercedes Pardo · CEO, Spanish Maritime Institute (IME)
Víctor Luna Barahona · President, International Maritime University of Panama (introductory remarks)
Diversification of the Transportation Matrix, the Blue Economy, and New Low-Carbon Business Opportunities
Jones Soares · Director, Transpetro
H.E. Rubén Argüelles Sánchez · Consul of Panama in Rio de Janeiro (introductory remarks)
The Future of Maritime Regulation: Balancing Innovation, Safety and Global Trade
Hugo Canella · Account Manager for Brazil, Panama, Guyana & Suriname, Lloyd's Register Latin America
Global Gateway Green Shipping Corridors and Hubs: Feasibility Study of the Green and Digital Corridor Algeciras–Panama
Moderator: Dr. Arthur James Rivas · External Energy Transition Expert, EU Delegation to Panama
Matteo Banti · EU Regional Cooperation Head to Costa Rica, Panama and Central America
Beatriz González · Decarbonization Specialist, Panama Canal Authority (ACP)
Juan Pablo Pérez · Head of Port Planning, Port of Algeciras Bay Authority (APBA)
Financing Challenges and Opportunities for the Maritime Sector
Moderator: Beatriz Castillo
Raúl Arosemena · BAC
Fausto Arroyo · CAF
José Cubías · Caja de Ahorros
Closing Plenary & Networking Cocktail
Newsroom MCA 2026
MCA Plan 2026
