Port of the Americas: Cranes Arrive at Port of Ponce

January 22, 2010, Port of the Americas Rafael Cordero Santiago celebrated the arrival of two enormous cranes. Puerto Rico Governor Luis G. Fortuño, Ponce Mayor Maria "Mayita" Melendez, Secretary of Economic Development and TradeJosé Pérez Riera, Executive Director of the Port Authority of the Americas (known as APA in its Spanish initials) Rhonda Castillo Gammill, members of the Legislature and the Executive, representatives of private and academic sectors and members of the community in general attended the festivities.

The event showcased local and municipal authorities' immediate plans for the port facilities, which should become operational as soon as possible. It was established that the official name of the port will continue include the name Rafael Cordero Santiago, thus recalling the former Ponce mayor who pushed hard to develop the port in Ponce.According to Gammill Castillo, the Ponce terminal will begin to handle international cargo during the second quarter of 2010.