The Atlantic Council’s Caribbean Initiative will host the inaugural US Caribbean Maritime and Ports Forum in Miami on Friday, February 20 at 9:00 a.m. ET. The Forum launches a long term platform focused on strengthening US Caribbean cooperation across ports, shipping, and the broader maritime sector. 

As ports play an essential role in regional trade, investment, energy security, and public safety, the Forum will bring together policymakers, industry leaders, and regional experts to address shared challenges and opportunities. Discussions will focus on port infrastructure, maritime security, workforce development, regulatory change, and the use of technology to support growth across the sector. 

Building on momentum from the 2025 CARICOM Heads of Government meetings, where maritime cooperation emerged as a regional priority, the Forum aims to identify practical policy and investment approaches that strengthen port systems and deepen US-Caribbean maritime cooperation. 

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Speakers

Moderated by

Agenda

9:00–9:05 a.m. | Opening remarks 

Featuring

Adrienne Arsht
Executive Vice Chair,
Atlantic Council;
Founder, Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center,
Atlantic Council

9:05–9:10 a.m. | Welcome remarks 

Featuring

Brian Fonseca
Director, Jack D. Gordon Institute for Public Policy
Florida International University

9:10–9:25 a.m. | Keynote fireside chat

Featuring

The Hon. Matthew Samuda
Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change,
Jamaica

Moderated by

Patricia Francis
Nonresident Senior Fellow, Caribbean Initiative, Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center
Atlantic Council

9:25–10:20 a.m.  | Panel 1: US-Caribbean cooperation and investment on ports, trade, and infrastructure 

This panel will examine the evolving relationship between the Caribbean and the United States in the maritime space. It will explore the strategic importance of Caribbean-US trade, recognizing the Caribbean as one of the United States’ largest trading partners. It will bring together experts to address shared security interests and discuss how investment frameworks and targeted financial support can strengthen port infrastructure, improve trade efficiency, and drive sustainable investment across the Caribbean maritime sector. 

Speakers

Tim Martin
President and Chief Executive Officer,
Tropical Shipping

Dion Bethell
President and CFO,
Arawak Port Development Limited

Erik Bethel
General Partner,
Mare Liberum Capital

Adam Carter
Managing Director & Head, Investment Banking, FX & Derivative Sales,
CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank

Moderated by

Jason Marczak
Vice President and Senior Director,
Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center,
Atlantic Council

10:20–11:15 a.m.  | Panel 2: Building capacity across the maritime sector 

This discussion focuses on strengthening capacity across the maritime sector. Panelists will address workforce development, the use of technology in ports, port security, and training initiatives that support long term growth and resilience. 

Speakers

Felipe Ezquerra
Head of Transport at the Infrastructure and Energy Division,
IDB Invest

Lilia Burunciuc
Country Director for the Caribbean Countries,
The World Bank

Pedro Ravelo
Senior Executive, Regional Management Office for the Caribbean
CAF–Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean

Andrew Clutz
Head of Economic Development,
Tractus Asia

Captain Gus Andersson
Associate VP Port Development, Marine Operations
Royal Caribbean Group

Moderated by

Jeffrey Hall
CEO and Vice Chairman,
Pan Jamaica Group Limited;
Group Managing Director, JP;
Chairman,
Kingston Wharves Limited

11:15–11:25 a.m.  | Keynote remarks

Featuring

Ron DeSantis
Governor of Florida

Introduced by

Adrienne Arsht
Executive Vice Chair,
Atlantic Council;
Founder, Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center,
Atlantic Council

11:25–11:30 a.m. | Closing remarks 

Featuring

Jason Marczak
Vice President and Senior Director,
Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center,
Atlantic Council

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The Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center’s Caribbean Initiative raises awareness on key Caribbean Community (CARICOM) priorities with US and global stakeholders while deepening US engagement with the region around shared interests.

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