Federal Maritime Commissioner Rebecca F. Dye will hold an informational Forum, "International Supply Chain Efficiency: Challenges Facing Gulf Coast Ports" at the Port of New Orleans on November 3, 2014. The Forum’s goal is to facilitate discussion among port representatives, industry stakeholders and other interested parties concerning ways to address the challenges facing Gulf Coast ports.

When:
Monday, November 3, 2014, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Morning Session: 10:00 am - 12:30 pm 
Lunch Break: 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm 
Afternoon Session: 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Where: 
Port of New Orleans’ Headquarters Building Auditorium 
1350 Port of New Orleans Place 
New Orleans, LA 70130

General Directions:
The Forum will be held in the auditorium located in the Port of New Orleans’ Headquarters Building at the above address. The building is located adjacent to the cruise terminals: http://portno.com/maps-directions

Topics for Discussion:

Topics for discussion may include innovative ways to:

• Prevent port congestion
• Promote global trade
• Increase international supply chain efficiency

Who Should Attend:

Commissioner Dye would like to hear from a wide variety of individuals who represent Gulf Coast Ports’ interests and are involved in international trade and transportation in the region. These include:

• Government Officials
• Gulf Coast Port Authority Representatives
• Truckers
• Terminal Operators
• Steamship Lines
• Ocean Transportation Intermediaries
• Cargo Owners
• Labor Representatives

Registration

Participants may register by contacting the Commission’s Office of the Secretary. Please indicate whether you would like to speak at the Forum or attend without speaking. Also indicate whether you would like to speak at the morning or afternoon sessions.

Written Submissions:

For those speakers preparing written comments, please send your written comments as an attachment to an email to theSecretary@fmc.gov by 12 noon on Wednesday, October 29, 2014, with the subject line: "Speaker at November 3 Public Forum".

The Commission is also accepting written comments in advance of the Forum from those who are unable to attend, or who plan to attend but do not wish to speak at the Forum. Please send your written comments to Secretary@fmc.gov, with the subject line: "November 3 Public Forum".

Email: Secretary@fmc.gov
Telephone: (202) 523-5725

The Commission will provide confidential treatment to the extent allowed by law for submissions, or parts of submissions, for which the filer requests confidentiality. The Forum will be taped, transcribed, and maintained by the Commission.

Additional Information

Public Forum Point of Contact:

For questions regarding this Forum please contact: 
Karen V. Gregory, Secretary, 
Federal Maritime Commission, 
(202) 523-5725.

Port of New Orleans’ Points of Contact for Questions on the Day of the Forum:

Matt Gresham 
Director of External Affairs 
Telephone: (504) 528-3255 
Fax: (504) 528-3397 
greshamm@portno.com

and

Paul Matthews 
Community Affairs Manager 
Telephone: (504) 528-3252 
Fax: (504) 528-3397 
matthewsp@portno.com