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Beyond the Storm: Strengthening Private-Public Partnership Resiliency
Tropical Shipping showed its commitment to island life Wednesday by hosting a disaster management workshop.
More than 80 representatives from emergency service agencies, businesses, tourism organizations, as well as the Rawdon Turner, Minister of Social and Urban Transformation, took part in the half-day session.
The goal was simple: build private-public partnerships now to enhance Antigua’s resiliency after a disaster strikes.
“Building strong relationships before disaster strikes lays the foundation for a resilient future,” said Tamara Lowe-James, Tropical Shipping’s Island Manager for Antigua and Barbuda. “Collaboration between Antigua’s private and public sectors is the key to successful disaster management.”
Tropical has held annual disaster preparedness workshops throughout the Caribbean for more than 25 years. The sessions focus on how communities can develop recovery plans so businesses, schools, and governments can resume operations after a major hurricane or event.
“Disaster management is not just a government responsibility — it is a shared duty across every sector of society,” said Honorable Rawdon Turner, Minister of Social and Urban Transformation. “By investing in preparedness and building resilient communities, we not only protect lives but also safeguard our economic future and regional stability.”
Tropical was recently exempted from new port fees imposed by the Trump Administration, a huge relief to the Caribbean market it serves. The workshops are important to strengthening the region, so a natural disaster does not devastate its economy.
Tropical has additional disaster management seminars scheduled on other islands this year.
“Part of our company’s mission is to support the health and well-being of the Caribbean before, during, and after a natural disaster,” said Tropical Shipping President Tim Martin. “When we say, ‘we’re committed to island life,’ we mean it, and providing these workshops is that commitment in action.”
Tropical Shipping is headquartered in Riviera Beach, Florida, and has served the Caribbean market since 1963. Tropical’s transportation services include refrigerated, dry, Full-Container-Load (FCL), Less-than-Container-Load (LCL), small package, consolidation, inland transportation, and global logistics services. For more information about Tropical Shipping, visit: Tropical.com
Well thought of project, tropical shipping. One that is very important for the island as a whole.
Good stuff tropical shipping
Commendation TS
Mrs Lowe James. Love that lady
Great initiative Tropical! Kudos Tamara Lowe-James and team on your leadership in this critical space!
Would love to see more of these workshops in rural communities too, those areas often get hit the hardest and recover the slowest. Let’s hope these discussions turn into real on-the-ground action. Preparedness only works when plans are tested and updated regularly.
What’s the plan for including local NGOs and youth organizations in these disaster preparedness sessions? They’re critical too.