Port of Hueneme Celebrates World Trade Week

International Trade Consuls, Elected Officials, and Maritime Industry Experts
Explore the Future of E-Commerce and Trade

May 17, 2017 – Port Hueneme, CA – The Port of Hueneme recognized World Trade Week and National Maritime Day by hosting a special event whose program had a special focus on e-commerce and trade, shining a light on Ventura County’s local strengths and global successes in international e-commerce based businesses.

As a World Trade Center licensee, the Port partnered with California Lutheran University; California SBDC, Los Angeles Regional Network; U.S. Commercial Service, United States of America Department of Commerce; and EDC Economic Development Collaborative, Ventura County, to put on the event.

Port Commission Vice President Mary Anne Rooney commented, “Celebrating World Trade Week the Port of Hueneme is an event that highlights the importance of trade related opportunities for local growers, fruit shippers, auto manufacturers, all customers, logistics partners, local constituents and the consumer. The Port of Hueneme continues to be the hub for global trade in Ventura County and is pleased to be supported by so many customers, stakeholders, and government agencies on this important occasion. The partnerships we have built over the years are lifting the local economy, creating better job opportunities.”

Mary Anne Rooney (Vice President, Oxnard Harbor District) accepting special Proclamation honoring the Oxnard Harbor District on its 80th anniversary from City of Port Hueneme Mayor Tom Figg.

City of Port Hueneme Mayor Tom Figg presented the Port with a special Proclamation on behalf of the City, honoring the Oxnard Harbor District on its 80th anniversary, stating, “Obviously we are here to celebrate World Trade Week, but there are two other milestones that are worthy of recognition. One is that this is the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the Oxnard Harbor District and the construction of the Port of Hueneme, and the second milestone is that it has been 25 years that the Port has been declared a Port of Entry.” Mayor Figg also highlighted the City’s commitment to collaboration with the Oxnard Harbor District.

Consuls General and high-ranking trade officials representing four continents also participated as speakers and special guests, including:

• Roberto Rodriquez Hernandez, Oxnard Consul General of Mexico
• Maria Belen Loor, Ecuador Trade Commissioner
• Sarper Sonmez, Economic Relations, Consulate General of the Republic of Turkey
• James Villeneueve, Consul General of Canada
• Vesselin Valchev, Consul General of the Republic of Bulgaria
• Manuel Valle, Trade Commissioner of Spain
• Raphael Pauwels, Trade & Investment Commissioner, of Belgium

Roberto Rodriquez Hernandez, Oxnard Consul General of Mexico, spoke about Mexico’s trade advantages and added, “A lot of companies should take advantage of Port Hueneme. We know that it is going to be very prosperous.”

In addition to presentations by trade dignitaries, several Port customers and partners spoke at the event, including representatives from BMW North America, Ports America, Chiquita, GLOVIS America, and Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics.

Keynote Speaker Jay Tsao (Founder/CEO Globemart Technologies)

“We had a great event today celebrating world trade week, and it was especially enlightening to hear from Jay Tsao, our keynote speaker, about the amazing growth of e-trade commerce globally and to learn from the diverse group of consuls from Belgium, Ecuador, Turkey, Mexico, Bulgaria, Spain and Canada about their trade initiatives,” shared Dona Toteva Lacayo, Chief Commercial & Public Affairs Officer.

Five Diamond Cold Storage, based in Delano, CA, was awarded the Port of Hueneme’s Export Achievement Award. Five Diamond Cold Storage uses all three weekly container ocean services – including Great White Fleet, Network Shipping,

Jairol Gonzalez, Five Diamond Cold Storage; Amparo Figueroa, Five Diamond Cold Storage; Mary Anne Rooney, VP Harbor Commission; OHD, David Gonzalez, Five Diamond Cold Storage; Dona Lacayo, OHD.

and SeaLand – from the Port to Central and South America. The fruit exporter is utilizing the Port of Hueneme since its location is closer to local farms, has sensible vessel cut-offs, provides options to ship fresher produce to market more quickly, with an ease of doing business for both fresh fruit imports and exports.

David Andres Gonzalez, Logistic Manager for Five Diamond Cold Storage, was pleased for his company to receive the award. “The Port of Hueneme gave us the opportunity to work under a larger window to load, and has the consistency added to the flexibility that the business of Five Diamond needs.”

“Hearing about e-commerce today and how it’s changing the way products are marketed and moved through the supply chain reminds me of the important role that the Port of Hueneme is playing in that logistics system,” said Kristin Decas, CEO and Port Director. “With no congestion, we make autos, machinery, fruit, fertilizer, cargo move and yes, we are part of e-commerce too. The best way to deliver excellent speed to market and a quality of product is through working together and having great partners on your side. I’m grateful to our customers, speakers, and trade consults who came out to celebrate with us here at the Port, as we are growing trade and making cargo move.”

Background
The observance of World Trade Week began in 1926 to acknowledge and celebrate that world trade significantly contributes to the nation’s economy and has developed a vast new horizon for America’s businesses. In 1935, President Roosevelt officially proclaimed World Trade Week as a national observance by the U.S. Government and selected the third week in May each year which includes May 22, National Maritime Day.