The West Gulf Maritime Association hosted its annual Holiday Party on Friday. 

Guidry News Service talked to Senior Vice President of Maritime Affairs Niels Aalund and board chair Nick Stratigakis of Shippers Stevedoring Co. about the past year and 2012. Listen: RealPlayer   MP3

“It’s been a great year for WGMA,” Aalund said.  “We’ve enjoyed increased membership and expansion of our services for our members throughout the West Gulf; and there’s reason for optimism in the maritime industry.  We think things are headed in the right direction.”

However, Stratigakis said there is need for improvement.

“For the carriers, stevedores, marine terminal operators, it has not been a great year,” Stratigakis said.  “Business is slow, expenses keep mounting and, you know, everybody is looking to cut expenses and survive.”

Organized in 1968, the West Gulf Maritime Association succeeded former local maritime associations in Houston, Galveston and Brownsville, Texas.

“The West Gulf Maritime Association embraced within one non-profit association the membership of steamship owners, operators, agents along with stevedoring, and terminal companies located in all Texas ports and the Port of Lake Charles, Louisiana,” said a statement on the WGMA website. “ Today the Association has grown to over 160 members.”