Port of San Diego Board Chairman Robert “Dukie” Valderrama has established a Maritime Stakeholder Forum to provide a venue for the port, port tenants and other interested persons to discuss and give input on maritime issues. The forum meets Thursday, August 10, the public is welcome to attend, and there will be an opportunity for public comment.

The forum is made up of Chairman Valderrama and Vice Chair Rafael Castellanos, port staff and interested maritime-related business communities and organizations.

“In the Port of San Diego’s role as leading the working waterfront and facilitating the movement of goods and people, we have established the Maritime Stakeholder Forum to promote dialogue and feedback on a number of maritime initiatives that are underway or are being contemplated,” said Chairman Valderrama in a prepared statement.

Specific issues to be discussed are included in the 2017 Annual Work-Plan developed by forum members and approved by the board of port commissioners at its August 8, 2017 board meeting. Those issues are: Ways to foster innovative maritime business and trade development; ways to enhance maritime industry relationships; a cruise optimization plan; planning initiatives related to maritime; Tenth Avenue marine terminal modernization plan; national city balanced plan; and other significant and emergent maritime issues.

The forum operates in accordance to the guidelines set forth for all stakeholder forums as outlined in the BPC Policy No. 018A (Resolution 2008-273, February 12, 2013). The forum will have no authority to negotiate for, represent, or commit the port in any respect. There will be no voting on any matter being discussed by the members.

The forum will meet at least quarterly or as needed through the end of 2017. Future forum meetings will be publicly noticed on the port’s website.