POMTOC CEO Gerard van den Heuvel joined PortMiami and U.S. Ambassador to Peru Bernie Navarro in Lima, and served as a witness to the new Sister Port Agreement between PortMiami and the Port of Callao.
Lima, Peru – September 2026 – POMTOC proudly represented Miami’s maritime community at Expoalimentaria 2026, held September 23–25 in Lima, joining PortMiami and U.S. Ambassador to Peru Bernie Navarro as part of a delegation of leading U.S. port operators meeting with Peruvian businesses. Chief Executive Officer Gerard van den Heuvel represented POMTOC throughout the visit.
Organized by the Peruvian Exporters Association (ADEX), Expoalimentaria is one of Latin America’s leading food and beverage trade fairs, bringing together international buyers, exporters, and distributors from across the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa. The event provided a platform to explore opportunities for expanding trade, strengthening logistics connections, and supporting continued commercial growth between the United States and Peru.
A highlight of the visit was the signing of a Sister Port Agreement between PortMiami and the Port of Callao, in the presence of Peru’s Minister of Transport and Communications, José Tangherlini, and Ambassador Navarro. The agreement establishes a framework for cooperation between two major gateways for international trade, including the exchange of information and experience on cargo and cruise operations, port statistics, infrastructure projects, market studies, and best practices, as well as technical cooperation, educational visits, and specialized working groups.
POMTOC was honored to take part in this milestone, with van den Heuvel serving as a witness on behalf of PortMiami. “It was a privilege to witness this agreement between two gateways that share so much potential,” said van den Heuvel. “Stronger ties between Callao and Miami mean more opportunities for the exporters, importers, and carriers who rely on both ports.”
The Port of Callao is Peru’s principal maritime gateway, handling roughly two-thirds of the country’s exports. Closer ties between Callao and Miami create new opportunities for Peruvian exporters — including the fresh produce and food products showcased at Expoalimentaria — to reach U.S. markets through South Florida.
“Peru is open for business, and POMTOC is proud to help connect that business to Miami,” van den Heuvel added. “We look forward to continuing to strengthen the relationships and logistics connections that keep global trade moving.”
About POMTOC
POMTOC (Port of Miami Terminal Operating Company), the only independent marine terminal operator in Miami, provides marine terminal, MTY depot, and cargo-handling services at PortMiami, supporting the movement of containerized cargo and connecting South Florida with markets throughout the Americas and beyond.