For over five decades, the Caribbean Shipping Association has been a key figure in the expansion of the regional maritime industry through advocacy, training and development.
For over five decades, the Caribbean Shipping Association has been a key figure in the expansion of the regional maritime industry through advocacy, training and development.
President
William Brown is Immediate Past President of the Shipping Association of Jamaica (SAJ). He is the Managing Director for CFL Shipping Agencies in Jamaica. He is a Public Practising Accountant registered with the Public Accountancy Board of Jamaica and a fellow of the Association of Chartered Accountants (ACCA) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Jamaica (ICAJ). Mr. Brown serves the Jamaican shipping industry as a Director of Assessment Recoveries Limited, Vice Chairman for the Maritime Authority of Jamaica’s Board of Directors, and as a Trustee of Metro Investment Pension Plan. He also serves as Honorary Secretary for the Jamaica Golf Association.
He is a graduate of the University of the West Indies, Mona, and the University of Michigan.
Vice President
Maria del Mar Rodríguez began her career with Tropical Shipping LLC in 2004 as a sales representative. In 2006 Rodriguez was promoted to Sales Manager for Tropical in Puerto Rico focused on the less than container load market. During 2020 she was promoted to Puerto Rico Island Manager responsible of sales, port operations and finance departments for the island. During 2014 a new challenge was presented to Maria Del Mar and she accepted to take over the Hispaniola Trade Manager responsible for Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic operations.
Since early 2019 Maria del Mar became an officer member of Tropical Shipping as she was promoted to Assistant Vice- President responsible for the Hispaniola, USVI and BVI regions.
Prior to joining Tropical Shipping, Mrs. Rodriguez worked for a local U.S. Customs Broker where she managed sales; she was also responsible of J.F. Hillebrand brand focused on wine & spirits intra-Europe consolidations.
Maria del Mar was elected secretary of the P.R. Shipping Association Board of Directors from 2014 until 2020. Most recently in November 2020 she was elected chairman of group C (Ship Owners Group) at the Caribbean Shipping Association.
Her daughter Alexandra is her motivation and inspiration, during the weekends Maria del Mar
supports her daughter on cheerleading competitions and enjoys the warm beach waters in Puerto Rico.
Maria del Mar has an outstanding commitment to the Caribbean life and is always looking for ways to contribute to the region success.
Group A Representative
Starting in the shipping industry in 2000 in the humble position of Receptionist at RM Jones & Co. Ltd. agents at the time for CMA CGM while pursuing her CAT/ACCA Accounting qualification Nazilia Simone Phillips fell in love with the shipping industry later moving onto the Consolidations, Exports and Accounts departments of the company with her last position with the company being Senior Accounts Clerk. She later went on to hold the post of Supervisor of Operations at Fast Transit Shipping Co. in 2006, representing CSAV and consolidators from Miami and Trinidad.
In 2011, she joined Norton Lilly Barbados Ltd. as General Manager agents for CMA CGM, MLS (agents for the British Navy), various tankers, consolidators from Miami, Trinidad, Canada and New York. Her present position with the company is Managing Director and she is currently the Vice President of The Shipping Association of Barbados.
Nazilia holds certificates from Lloyd’s List and is presently venturing to pursue her MBA in Shipping with Middlesex University.
Group A Representative
Andre Rochester is Vice-President of the Shipping Association of Jamaica and Freight Manager at Maritime and Transport Services Limited. Mr Rochester is a trustee of the Maritime Group Pension Fund.
He started his career in shipping in 1982 in a clerical capacity with Terminal Services Limited, a division of GraceKennedy which operated a fleet of trucks/drivers and a cadre of stevedores on the terminal. After briefly leaving the sector for a stint in Insurance and Real Estate, Mr Rochester officially signalled his return to the shipping industry by opting to take up a supervisory position at Maersk Jamaica in 1993.
He then served in a supervisory capacity at Transocean before moving on to Maritime and Transport Services, in a similar capacity, ultimately ascending to the position he holds today.
Group A Representative
With a (9) nine-year foundation in the banking sector, Mr. Choo Quan entered the shipping industry in 1998. Through dedication and perseverance, he quickly worked his way up through the ranks of Accounts Clerk to Assistant Comptroller at Tecmarine Trinidad Limited. During his tenure, he was a key member of an executive team responsible for implementing financial systems and procedures in a number of Tecmarine Lines’ regional offices. Kevin would later spearhead a regional accounting team in Trinidad & Tobago which functioned as an extension of the financial operations of Tecmarine Lines’ main offices based in Port Everglades, Florida. This opportunity enabled him to gain vast experience from the perspective of both principal and agent.
Mr. Choo Quan’s drive and insatiable appetite for personal growth and development gave credence to his appointment as Accounts Manager of Caribbean Shipping Agencies Ltd in April of 2003. He held this position until January 31, 2010, when he took up the post of Business Development and Human Resource Manager. In August 2014, he was appointed Managing Director, where supported by a dynamic management team, he contributed towards solidifying Caribbean Shipping Agencies Ltd’s reputation as one of the leading shipping and customs brokerage service providers in the region.
In April 2017 Mr. Choo Quan joined the PAS Cargo group, where he was appointed Business Development Manager. He presently serves in the capacity of Commercial Director where he contributes significantly to the strategic development and all commercial activities of PAS Trinidad Ltd, which is widely acknowledged as the premier freight forwarder and transit shed operator in Trinidad & Tobago.
For over a decade, Mr Choo Quan has been a loyal servant of the industry, serving in various capacities as a member of the Shipping Association of Trinidad & Tobago’s (SATT) Executive Council. Kevin is committed to the continued growth and development of the maritime industry and is privileged to serve such a highly esteemed organization as the Caribbean Shipping Association.
Group A Representative
Máximo Mella Jr. is the Project Manager at AGEPORT, where his forward-thinking approach and passion for modern technology and sustainability have been instrumental to the company’s continued success. With a strong commitment to fostering a family-oriented culture and delivering exceptional customer service, Máximo has helped solidify AGEPORT’s reputation as a trusted leader in comprehensive logistics solutions. His work is an integral part of a larger conglomerate that provides end-to-end services throughout the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean, driving innovation and operational excellence across the region.
Group B Representative
Dominican professional passionate about international trade, transport and logistics. He has more than 25 years of experience in the logistics, maritime and port industry. Specialist in sales, negotiation and international trade. Cristyan worked as Regional Commercial Director for Maersk Line and as Country Director for CMA CGM, two of the three largest shipping lines in the world.
He is currently the Commercial Director of HIT Rio Haina Port, the company that operates and develops the Río Haina Port. He is vice president of the Trade Facilitation Committee of the American Chamber of Commerce of the Dominican Republic (AMCHAMDR) and is the Coordinator of the Technical Committee of Logistics Times and Costs of the Logistics Cluster of the Dominican Republic (CLRD).
He actively participates in the Committee of Export Managers of the Dominican Association of Exporters (ADOEXPO), the Association of Logistics Warehouses of the Dominican Republic (ASOLOGIC), as well as in multiple work groups of the National Committee for Trade Facilitation (CNFC), among other.
Cristyan is also CEO-Founder of ADEPTON Group and General Director of EMBARCADO Magazine, both private entities that focus their efforts on providing support to the development of logistics and international trade in the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean Region.
Group B Representative
Enrique Figueroa is a dedicated logistics and transportation professional with over 32 years of extensive experience across terminal operations, warehouse management, and corporate services. His career has seen him lead and collaborate on key aspects of stevedoring operations, procurement, human resources, labor relations, and warehouse management, with a strong focus on process improvement and operational efficiency. Enrique thrives in team environments and is known for his ability to drive positive changes and optimize operations.
Outside of work, Enrique values spending quality time with his family. He enjoys traveling, listening to music, and is an avid follower of several professional sports teams.
Group C Representative
Robert Bosman is Project Development Director of Boskalis for the Americas, based in Panama City, Panama.
Mr. Bosman joined Boskalis early 2020. Before that he held various positions within the Maritime and Airline Industry. After University Mr. Bosman started his career in 1992 on the island of Curaçao for the airline ALM. In 1995 he joined KLM Royal Dutch Airlines in various positions in Revenue Management at its HQ in Amsterdam, responsible for Middle East and Asia Pacific. After a journey in the telecom world (Liberty Media) he returned to his passion transportation & logistics. In 2007, after being MD at the container terminal in Curaçao, he became General Manager Business Development of APM Terminals in Panama, responsible for Latin America. In 2015 he joined Saam Smit Towage as CCO for their footprint in the Americas. Consequently in 2020 he joined Boskalis in the dredging division for terminals and ports.
Mr. Bosman, a Dutch national, finalized Business Economics at the University of Amsterdam with a major in Transportation & Logistics. Subsequent he followed various management courses in KLM and the Maersk Group. He speaks 5 languages.His hobbies are music and speed cycling.
Group C Representative
Agenor Olivardia is the Trade Manager for Hoegh Autoliners, focusing on shortsea operations within Latin America and Caribbean destinations and serves as the Country Executive for Hoegh’s office in Panama.
Mr. Olivardia began his career with P&O Nedlloyd and Maersk during their merger in September 2005, working as a Customer Service and Terminal Coordinator. In May 2006, he joined Norton Lilly Panama as a boarding officer, handling all ship agent-related matters. By May 2008, he moved to Trader Tankers Group as an operations coordinator, overseeing bunkering operations. In March 2012, he became the Operations Manager for SC LINE, a RoRo shipping line, and was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in September 2014. He joined Hoegh Autoliners in April 2016, taking on various roles in Operations and Trade before relocating to the U.S
In addition to his shipping career, Mr. Olivardia was elected as a board member of the Panama Maritime Chamber from 2014 to 2015. He has also been a part-time professor at several local Panamanian universities for over 11 years.
Mr. Olivardia holds a B.S. in Shipping Business Administration, an Associate degree in Port and Maritime Operations, a Master’s degree in Shipping Strategy and Logistics, and a specialization in teaching.
Group D Chairman
Rachel holds a Master of Science Degree in Shipping Management from the World Maritime University in Sweden. She comes with a wealth of knowledge and experience in Logistics and Supply Chain Management, having been in the industry for 30 years.
She was the UPS Country Manager for 10 years, overseeing various UPS offices and agents in the Caribbean before joining Shipco Transport in 2019.
She is an adjunct lecturer in Logistics and Supply Chain at the Caribbean Maritime University for over 15 years.
Rachel is engaged by Jamaica Customs on various pilot projects addressing paperless and contactless processes. She is also passionate about implementing digital cargo release processes throughout the Jamaican Shipping Industry.
Rachel is married and has two children – Her daughter is currently studying Neuroscience at Princeton University. Her son, a graduate of the Caribbean Maritime University, a former seafarer, holds a degree in Marine Transportation.
Group D Representative
Jean Felipe Albuquerque brings over 22 years of expertise in international trade and logistics. His experience includes senior management positions at SAAM, an Inland Service provider for CSAV Shipping Line, as well as at APM Terminals, Maersk Container Inland Services, and Maersk Line, where he excelled in finance, project management, and business development.
Since 2014 he is responsible for the Latin America & Caribbean Business Unit for Den Hartogh Global Logistics, a company with a remarkable 104-year history.
Under his leadership, the unit has grown to encompass 72 professionals across 18 countries, enabling trade for liquid and gaseous products through tank container logistics.
Jean Felipe holds an MBA in Business Administration, and he has participated of the prestigious MAGNUM Program, an accelerated leadership initiative by APM Terminals in partnership with ESADE Business School in Barcelona. He also holds two degrees in International Trade and another in Aeronautical Science.
General Manager
Milaika Capella Ras is a seasoned professional with 22 years of experience in the maritime industry. She brings a wealth of expertise with particular strengths in areas such as business development, project management, financial analysis and budgetary oversight. Milaika’s strongest competencies include negotiation, communication, analytical and creative thinking skills.
She currently works as General Manager of the Caribbean Shipping Association (CSA), in charge of managing the general affairs of the association, including the implementation of strategic initiatives for further development of the maritime sector in the member territories. Milaika leverages her strong negotiation skills, the ability to cultivate excellent working relationships with stakeholders, and the ability to translate strategic objectives into detailed operational plans to achieve CSA goals.
Previously, she served as Account Manager for the Curacao Port Authority (CPA) with responsibility for the business development of CPA’s real estate portfolio and the implementation of strategic initiatives for the further development of Curacao’s maritime sector.
In addition to her executive career, Milaika served on several advisory boards and committees. She was a member of the Curaçao Airport Partners’ Marketing & Promotion Committee, the Curaçao Tourist Board’s Product Development and Marketing Team, and the Curaçao Tourist Board’s Marketing Steering Committee, entrusted with the coordination of efforts to implement Curaçao’s Tourism Masterplan.
Milaika served the Vice-Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Curinde N.V. (Curaçao Free zone). She chaired the Cruise Committee at CSA and was also on the CSA General Council. Milaika holds a Master in Business Administration from the InterContinental University of the Caribbean (ICUC) and a Bachelor in Banking, Finance, and Insurance from the University of Dutch Caribbean (UDC) in Curaçao. Additionally, Milaika is a Lloyds ISO certified auditor specializing in ISO 9001 and 14001.