Overview:
Leaders from across Micronesia gathered in Palau for the 2025 Micronesian Shipping Commission (MSC) and Association of Terminal Operators and Stevedoring Companies of Micronesia (ATOSSCOM) annual meeting, marking 50 years of regional maritime cooperation. The event paid tribute to the late President Kuniwo Nakamura, a founding father of ATOSSCOM, and highlighted the vital role of the shipping industry in connecting island economies and advancing toward a digital, sustainable future.
By: L.N. Reklai
KOROR, Palau — The Micronesian Shipping Commission (MSC) and the Association of Terminal Operators and Stevedoring Companies of Micronesia (ATOSSCOM) concluded their joint annual meeting in Palau last week, celebrating five decades of maritime cooperation and honoring the late President Obakelchol Kuniwo Nakamura, one of ATOSSCOM’s founding fathers.
Held from October 13 to 16, 2025, the 50th annual ATOSSCOM General Membership Conference and MSC meeting brought together maritime leaders, port authorities, and industry representatives from across Micronesia. Hosted by Belau Transfer and Terminal Company, the event combined reflection on the region’s maritime legacy with discussions on innovation and sustainability in seaport operations.
The conference theme, “Honoring 50 Years of Progress – Navigating the Future: Advancing Seaport Operations Together,” underscored the role MSC and ATOSSCOM have played in strengthening economic links and trade across Micronesia.
Participants paid tribute to the late President Nakamura with a special visit to Peleliu Island on October 14. Nakamura, who also served as Chairman of Belau Transfer and Terminal Company, was remembered for his vision of cooperation and efficiency in maritime transport — values that continue to shape the industry’s regional integration and growth.
During the keynote address at the Ngarachamayong Cultural Center, President Surangel S. Whipps Jr. commended the two organizations for their enduring contributions to the region’s development.
“For half a century, the partnership between ATOSSCOM and the Micronesian Shipping Commission has been the bridge that connects our islands and our people,” Whipps said. “You have carried not just goods, but the very lifeblood of our economies — opportunity, resilience, and hope.”
MSC SPEECH FINAL BY PRES 2
Whipps urged port operators and maritime agencies to embrace digital transformation, improve operational efficiency, and adopt sustainable practices to ensure the region’s continued prosperity.
“We must digitalize our ports, embrace automation, and train our workforce to thrive in this new era,” he said. “Our shipping industry is not just a business; it is our lifeline.”
The president also emphasized the need for modernization and collaboration to meet global challenges such as climate change, rising costs, and shifting trade dynamics.
Conference sessions highlighted emerging technologies in port management, the importance of green shipping practices, and the role of maritime efficiency in lowering operational costs.
The MSC and ATOSSCOM partnership, established in the 1970s, continues to serve as the foundation of regional maritime cooperation, linking the economies of Palau, the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and other Pacific nations through shared port management and logistics expertise.
As delegates concluded the meeting, members reaffirmed their commitment to advancing a sustainable, digitally connected maritime future for Micronesia.