LEONARD GRAY / L’Observateur / September 19, 1999

RESERVE – The newest Mexican port on the Gulf of Mexico, the Port of Altamira, signed a twin-port agreement Thursday with the Port of South Louisiana.

This cooperative agreement pledges technical assistance for economic development and job stimulation in both countries.

The Port of South Louisiana, represented by commission president Cart Davis and members Brandt Dufrene, Brent Tregre and Louis Joseph, signed the document with Port of Altamira General Director Pablo Medina Zamona.

The Port of Altamira is the largest industrial port in Mexico and serves commerce and industry throughout the country. That facility includesthree 250-meter docks, with plans to add an additional 19 docks in the course of the next 50 years.

It is hoped, officials said, the agreement will contribute toward planning, leasing or construction of port facilities to efficiently handle the import and export cargo through both ports.

The Port of South Louisiana, based in Reserve, handles the largest combined tonnage of exports, imports and domestic shipping in the United States in the section of the Mississippi River including St. Charles, St.John the Baptist and St. James parishes.The twinning agreement is the result of a partnership effort which began in 1997. Port representatives visited Altamira last November andMetroVision, headquartered in New Orleans, also contributed to the development of this agreement.

Following the agreement signing, delegations of both ports enjoyed a dinner and reception at the Guest House facility on River Road near West 10th Street in Reserve.

Other Altamira delegation members included Director of Legal Counsel Jaime Aguilar Contreras, Director of Administration Aurelio Garcia Lopez, Manager of Planning and Development Alejandro Gochicoa Matienzo, along with Eduardo Selva Cobos, Luis Chavarria Castro and Alfredo Orosco Biechler. The Port of South Louisiana was also represented by InterimDirector Don Hays.

Return To News Stories