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The World’s most important Port Conference comes to Hamburg

Hamburg, 2 March 2015 – This year’s IAPH World Ports Conference will be held in Hamburg. From June 1st - 5th, international representatives from business, politics and science will gather to debate changing demands and alternative actions required in our times of globalisation and climate change. The conference will focus on the smartPORT concept developed by the host of the conference, the Hamburg Port Authority (HPA). During the five-day conference delegates will get to hear about what Hamburg, Europe and the world mean by intelligent port management.

In this context Jens Meier, CEO of the Hamburg Port Authority, will show how IT-supported infrastructure makes economic and logistical processes more efficient and sustainable in the Port of Hamburg. Michael Pal, Principal Logistics Analyst for Fremantle Ports, will demonstrate an Australian perspective on intelligent port management on the example of “Truck Marshalling Automation and Key Performance Indicator Control”. On top, representatives from Stockholm, Valencia and the Far East will present answers to the question of what makes a port a smartPORT.

The conference will kick-start with a discussion about ship size development: among others, the panel will explore the challenges facing ports, terminals and shipmasters when it comes to handling mega carriers and whether there is a limit to a ship’s size. Peter Hinchliffe, Secretary General of the International Chamber of Shipping, and Dr Christian Growitsch, Director of the Hamburg Institute of International Economics (HWWI), will introduce the topic by delivering a general overview of global economic developments.

The last day of the conference will focus on cruise shipping, port legislation and air quality in ports, presented in parallel sessions. Moreover, the IAPH Women’s Forum will meet to discuss how diversity contributes to smart thinking. In the session on cruise shipping Douglas Ward, author of the Berlitz Cruise Guides, will explain the “wow” effect and why delivering it is crucial to cruise business. In the session on port legislation legal experts from Rotterdam, London and Hamburg will, for instance, talk about location factors and the role they play in maritime legal proceedings. They will also examine if today’s insurance policies adequately cover the risk of marine accidents in ports. Are cargo shipments sufficiently insured? Who is liable for harm to persons or property in ports?

The conference will be enhanced by an enjoyable social programme that will provide attendees with the opportunity to explore beautiful Hamburg and network with international colleagues. The evening events will be held at historical buildings located right in the heart of the Hanseatic city. Several tours will invite delegates to experience the smartPORT Hamburg from up close. More detailed information about the conference programme is available at www.iaph2015.org.

Hamburg Port Authority (HPA)
Since 2005 the Hamburg Port Authority has been providing future-oriented port management services offering one face to the customer. As an institution under public law, the HPA is in charge of paving the way for the efficient, resource-friendly and sustainable implementation of infrastructure projects in the port. The HPA is the contact point for all kinds of questions concerning the waterside and the landside infrastructure, the navigational safety of vessel traffic, port railway facilities, port property management and the economic conditions within the port area. The HPA ensures the provision of land as required, carries out all statutory duties placed on it and provides port industry services. It markets port-specific technical knowledge and represents the interests of Hamburg’s Port at a national and international level.

International Association of Ports and Harbors  (IAPH)
On 7 November 1955 some 100 delegates from 38 ports and maritime organisations in 14 countries founded the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) in Los Angeles, USA, to represent the interests of the world's seaports. The organisation's headquarters are in Tokyo, Japan. Over the past five decades, the IAPH developed into an organisation that is active around the globe. Today it represents more than 200 ports from 90 nations. The member ports together handle around 60% of the world's seaborne trade and nearly 80% of the world's container traffic. The IAPH is a non-profit-making, nongovernmental organisation (NGO). Its declared aim is to promote the co-operation among its members and jointly find solutions to global maritime problems. In addition, the organisation continuously passes insights and recommendations to its members thus enabling them to benefit from their peers' experiences.
 
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