The Center for International Trade Development announced that "Latin Business in the Port" will be the topic of a business seminar from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the Banco BuenaVentura, 143 W. Fifth St. in Oxnard.

The free seminar, one of a series of four recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month, is sponsored by the Economic Development Corporation of Oxnard.

Chuck Caulkins, port manager for Del Monte, will be the featured speaker. He mentioned that the recent economic meltdown has slowed business at the Port of Hueneme to some degree but not dramatically affected the fresh fruit product base.

Will Berg, director of marketing and public information at the port, indicated that a port reflects the economic vitality of an area and downturns are felt accordingly.

"We are unique among West Coast ports," he said. "The port came into commercial existence in 1937, but, in the late '70s, with the arrival of Del Monte, and the early to mid-'80s, when Global Auto Processing Service contracted to bring GM to Hueneme, port business changed, becoming a niche port focusing on three major areas: fresh produce; automobiles; and heavy equipment, such as road building and farm machinery. We also serve as a maintenance port for the offshore oil platforms."

The Port of Hueneme developed the model for a niche port that has now been copied elsewhere. Berg stresses that the port's business is to provide for the specific needs of its major clients and, with palletized fresh fruit such as bananas and pineapple, that means everything must operate at utmost speed to protect fragile products. Longshore labor must be trained to understand how to load, unload and process each type of cargo with maximum efficiency.

"There are business opportunities around the world in port business as our national economic profile has changed through increased importation of goods," Caulkins said. "We have an unlimited need for logistical skills and expertise."

Import and export needs have spawned many companies that are part of a significant growth market. AIG recently invested in a stevedoring company on the West Coast and several pension funds looking for long term growth industries have invested in these types of businesses.

Caulkins said the import-export business will continue to expand, particularly since trade is globally interconnected.

For information and reservations for the seminar, call 986-5896 or e-mail http://www.citd.org.