Ports forum valuable for promotion, network of shipping industries

The International Association of Ports and Harbors' 31st World Ports Conference being held from May 6 to 10 in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, plays a key role in promoting the port and shipping industries while creating a platform for cultural exchanges. More than 1,000 people from 55 countries and regions share ideas and propose solutions to boost global economic development during the event, organizers said.

Among attendees, principal port leaders from China will participate in several forums alongside fellow port colleagues from Europe, the Americas, Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

Many well-known enterprises, including China Communications Construction, COSCO Shipping, Maersk, Huawei, and other Fortune 500 companies, will also be at the conference.

Yuan Yue, deputy head of Guangzhou Port Authority, said Guangzhou Port has established friendly and cooperative relations with 45 ports in five continents.

Guangzhou Port is known historically as a principal trading harbor and a starting point of the ancient maritime Silk Road, which began well over 2,000 years ago.

More than two centuries later, the city has become a focus of global attention as one of the key sea hubs serving China's Belt and Road Initiative. Guangzhou has also hosted China's largest annual trade exhibition known as the Canton Fair, attracting 25,000 exhibitors of Chinese products and 200,000 visiting buyers from around the globe.

IAPH is a non-profit global alliance of 170 ports and 140 port-related organizations covering 90 countries and regions.

Established in 1955, IAPH member ports handle more than 60 percent of global maritime trade and around 80 percent of world container traffic.

During the IAPH Guangzhou 2019 World Ports Conference, experts offer attendees unique access to viewpoints from the key players of the seaborne pillar of the BRI.

It gives insights into key issues affecting maritime global trade, the growth in the global cruise industry and the impact of digitization.

In the coming years, ports will also face key issues regarding sustainable development, such as the transition to alternative energy sources, the need for resilient infrastructure and improving safety and security at ports.

(China Daily 05/08/2019 page7)