The United States has announced a US$10 million investment to strengthen port infrastructure across the Caribbean, following a high-level roundtable convened by the U.S. Department of State with regional port authorities and American maritime industry leaders.
According to Antigua.news, Darwin Telemaque — Chairman of the Port Management Association of the Caribbean (PMAC) and Port Manager of Antigua and Barbuda — represented the collective interests of Caribbean ports at the discussions, delivering a 30-minute presentation on behalf of the region.
Telemaque's address outlined the shared challenges and opportunities facing Caribbean ports, stressing the need for modern, resilient, and globally competitive infrastructure capable of supporting economic growth and withstanding emerging threats.
The roundtable brought together key stakeholders to advance commercial diplomacy, protect critical infrastructure, and expand economic opportunities across a region heavily dependent on maritime trade and tourism.
Participants examined pathways for increasing U.S. private sector investment and identified strategies to enhance port efficiency, expand trade capacity, and strengthen tourism linkages. Ethical and transparent business practices featured prominently as a central theme throughout the discussions.
The U.S. State Department confirmed during the roundtable that the $10 million will be allocated through the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative. The funding is intended to support programming aimed at improving the resilience and security of port infrastructure across the region.
Officials say the commitment reinforces the United States' intent to deepen economic ties with Caribbean nations while promoting high-quality, sustainable development in the maritime sector.
The engagement marks a significant step toward closer collaboration between Caribbean port authorities and U.S. partners, with PMAC positioned at the centre of shaping the region's maritime future.
