BPA Appoints New Ports Commissioner

The Board of Directors of the Belize Port Authority (BPA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Darlin Gaitan as Ports Commissioner, effective April 1st, 2023.

Ms. Gaitan holds a master’s degree in Maritime Management from the Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland, a BSc in Natural Resource Management from the University of Belize and is pursuing postgraduate studies in International Maritime Law. She has also undertaken extensive technical maritime training in Port State Control, Port Management, Law, and Project Management, among other specializations.

Ms. Gaitan has 14 years of experience at the Belize Port Authority, and she has been holding over as Acting Ports Commissioner since October 31st, 2022. Ms Gaitan is now the second woman to ever hold the post of Ports Commissioner in the 45-year history of the BPA.

During her 14 years at the Belize Port Authority, Ms Gaitan held critical roles in the Operations Department and the Executive Services Department. Prior to her elevation to Ports Commissioner, her substantive post was Manager: Technical Department.

It has been more than three decades since a member of the staff of the BPA has been elevated to the office of the Ports Commissioner, and this signals a serious commitment by the Board to professionalize the office. Ms Gaitan’s elevation also serves to inspire the staff to believe that the path of upward mobility goes all the way to the top.

Among other things, the new Ports Commissioner has been charged by the Board to restore morale among the staff; drive the digitalization agenda; modernize the legislative framework; and ensure that the BPA is prepared for the 2024 International Maritime Organization Member State Audit.