Port Authorities Roundtable (PAR)

The 8th edition of PAR, co-hosted by Shanghai Municipal Transportation Commission and Shanghai International Port Group, was held in Shanghai from 22 to 24 September 2023. Under the theme “Seizing New Opportunities Amidst Global Port Transformation”, the discussions at PAR2023@Shanghai included: Global Port & Shipping Development Trend in Post-Covid Era; Port Decarbonisation and Sustainable Port Development; and Port Digital Transformation.

ABOUT HOST PORT AUTHORITY

Shanghai Municipal Transportation Commission (SMTC)

Established in 2004, SMTC undertakes the management and safety supervision of the highways and urban roads, road transportation and urban traffic, ports and shipping, and other transportation industries in Shanghai. SMTC coordinates the air, rail and postal transportation management. SMTC aims to optimize the layout of the transport structure, comprehensively balance the transport capacity, and build an integrated transportation system in Shanghai.

Shanghai International Port (Group) Co. Ltd (SIPG)

SIPG, operator of public terminals in the Port of Shanghai, is a large-scale specialized conglomerate established in January 2003 through the restructuring of the Shanghai Port Authority. SIPG is currently the biggest listed company in port operation in the Chinese mainland, and one of the biggest in the whole world. The main businesses of SIPG include port handling operation, integrated logistics service, port-related service and port investment business. The container throughput of the Port of Shanghai (home port of SIPG) stood at 43.303 million TEUs in 2019, ranking No. 1 in the world for 10 consecutive years.

HEADS OF DELEGATION

Press release: Stronger Bilateral Maritime Collaboration between Singapore and China

2023全球港口管理局圆桌会议（PAR）在沪召开

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The 7th edition of PAR, hosted by AD Ports Group, was held in Abu Dhabi, UAE from 31 May to 2 June 2022. Under the theme “Reimaging a New Era of Trade Together”, the discussions continued on the topics of Disruption, Digitalisation and Decarbonisation. The port authorities also spoke about Diversification, on the evolving role of ports as facilitators of global trade.

ABOUT HOST PORT AUTHORITY

Established in 2006, AD Ports Group today serves as the region’s premier facilitator of logistics, industry, and trade, as well as a bridge linking Abu Dhabi to the world. Listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX: ADPORTS), AD Ports Group’s vertically integrated business approach has proven instrumental in driving the emirate’s economic development over the past decade.

Operating several clusters covering Ports, Economic Cities & Free Zones, Maritime, Logistics, and Digital, AD Ports Group’s portfolio comprises 10 ports and terminals, and more than 550 square kilometres of economic zones within KIZAD and ZonesCorp, the largest integrated trade, logistics, and industrial business grouping in the Middle East.

AD Ports Group is rated A+ by S&P and A+ by Fitch.

In 2021, AD Ports Group handled 3.4 million TEUs and 45 million tonnes of general cargo.

HEADS OF DELEGATION

Press release: Maritime Sector "Entering New Era of Challenge and Opportunity," say Leaders at Port Authorities Roundtable

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The 6th edition of PAR was held virtually for the first time on 22 and 23 June 2021. Due to COVID-19, the event was originally scheduled to be held in October 2020 in Antwerp, Belgium was postponed. Under the theme "Ports as Levers for Change", the discussions at PAR2021@Antwerp focused on the role of ports in the global supply chain and their leveraging function to impact energy transition, climate change and the digital evolution. The topics addresseds included the 3Ds, namely: Disruption; Digitalisation; and Decarbonisation.

ABOUT HOST PORT AUTHORITY

The Antwerp Port Authority has a key role in the port's day-to-day operation. The 1,650 workers make sure the port functions and can grow. The Port Authority manages and maintains the docks, the bridges, the locks, the quay walls and the land. The personnel is also responsible for safe shipping traffic in the docks, the bridges and locks. In addition, the Port Authority provides tugs and cranes, carries out dredging work and promotes the port at home and abroad. With a view to the future, the Port Authority is working on the port's sustainable development and innovation.

The Port of Antwerp is a gateway port in Belgium to the European hinterland, via the North Sea. Antwerp is the biggest port area in the world. Over the centuries, the area grew to exactly 12,068 hectares, or about 20,000 football fields. Port of Antwerp has two terminals, with the first built on the right bank. The North sea terminal and the Euro terminal were the first two in front of the locks. This made the port that little bit bigger again. On the left bank, without a lock, a new dock of no less than 4.5 kilometres was built on the river side too: the Deurganck dock. The largest tidal dock in the world, this is also one for the record books. The Deurganck dock will soon have a twin brother. Shipping continues to increase in scale, while container traffic continues to grow year on year. To continue playing its role as an international port and economic engine, the port of Antwerp must grow with it.

In 2020, Antwerp port handled 12m TEUs.

HEADS OF DELEGATION

Press release: 19 Port Authorities Signed Declaration on Disruption, Digitalisation and Decarbonisation at the 6th Port Authorities Roundtable

ABOUT PAR COVID-19 DECLARATION

Recognising that the maritime sector plays a critical role in keep trade flows open in the global fight against COVID-19, 20 port authorities of the Port Authorities Roundtable from Asia, Europe and Middle East and North America declared their commitment on 24 April 2020 to working together to share best practices in ensuring that port operations can remain undisrupted. An updated declaration was issued on 29 May 2020, with more than 50 port authorities across Asia, Oceania, Middle East, Africa, Europe and the Americas on board the declaration.

Press release (24 April 2020): 20 Port Authorities Signed Declaration to Keep Ports Open to Seaborne Trade to Support Fight Against the COVID-19 Pandemic

Press release (29 May 2020): Port Authorities Pledging Support to Keep Ports Open During COVID-19 More Than Doubles Within A Month

The 5th edition of PAR was held from 15 to 17 October 2019 in Kobe, Japan. Under the theme "Managing Disruptive Changes and Risks for Future Ready Port”, the topics discussed included: Port Efficiency and Productivity, Port Sustainability, and Safety and Security.

ABOUT HOST PORT AUTHORITY

The Port of Kobe, originally an excellent natural harbor, flourished as a hub of trading during ancient and medieval times. Since 1868, when the port of Kobe opened as a major Japanese international port, it has supported Japanese lives and industries.

Located almost at the center of the Japanese archipelago, the Port of Kobe is on major international regular sea routes to many countries and regions, including North America and Europe, Australia, China and other countries in Asia. The port has also many domestic sea routes, particularly to western Japan via the Seto Inland Sea.

The Port of Kobe serves not only as a commodity distribution spot but also as a popular recreation area for citizens and the waterfront area has been developed. Port of Kobe is also actively working on attracting cruise ships.

In 2006, Kobe Airport opened and Kobe-Kansai Airport Bay Shuttle, a ferry service between the port of Kobe and Kansai International Airport, went into operation. The Port of Kobe now serves as a hub of the sea, air and land transportation network. As an important urban infrastructure, the Port of Kobe will continue to develop as an international port city to meet the public needs.

In August 2010, the Ports of Kobe and Osaka were selected together as "Hanshin Port" as a "Strategic International Container Port." Since then, the Port of Kobe has contributed to the government's policy for Strategic International Container Ports by promoting consolidation of freight mainly from the Setouchi and Kyushu regions and working toward maintaining and expansion of key Northern American and European shipping routes.

In 2018, 2,944,116 TEU throughput was achieved which was the highest record ever. It is the result of working on the collection of goods to the Port of Kobe.

Port of Kobe is aiming to increase the container handling volume by promoting cargo collection from Setouchi and Kyushu areas (southwestern part of Japan) utilizing domestic shipping feeders and to a wider area such as rapidly growing Southeast / East Asian market as well as North America and Europe. The Port of Kobe will strive to strengthen Japanese international competitiveness as a gateway port that supports western Japan’s economy and industry. 

HEADS OF DELEGATION

Press release: MPA To Strengthen Collaboration On Cyber Resilience And Response At The 5th Port Authorities Roundtable

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The 4th edition of PAR was held from 16 to 18 July 2018 in Long Beach, USA. Under the theme “The Port of the Future”, the topics discussed included: Emerging Trends Affecting Port Authorities, Optimising Port Operations, Integrating Ports & Cities: Sustainability & Stewardship, Protecting Ports in the Future, and Preparing the Workforce of the Future.

ABOUT HOST PORT AUTHORITY

The Port of Long Beach is the premier U.S. gateway for trans-Pacific trade and a trailblazer in innovative goods movement, safety, environmental stewardship and sustainability. As the second-busiest container seaport in the United States, the Port handles trade valued at more than $180 billion annually and supports 1.4 million trade-related jobs across the nation, including 300,000 in Southern California. Long Beach is the 20th busiest container cargo port in the world. If combined, the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles would be the world's tenth-busiest port complex by container volume.

As the industry navigates the “Big Ship Era,” the Port of Long Beach is one of the few U.S. ports that can welcome today’s largest vessels. The Port serves 175 shipping lines with connections to 217 seaports around the world. Goods moving through the Port reach every U.S. congressional district. The Port encompasses 3,200 acres with 31 miles of waterfront, 10 piers, 80 berths and 66 post-Panamax gantry cranes. In 2017, the Port handled more than 7.5 million container units, achieving the busiest year in its 107-year history.

Led by the five-member Board of Harbor Commissioners and Executive Director Mario Cordero, the Port is on track for a green future, pursuing the most aggressive capital improvement program in the nation and creating the world’s most modern, efficient and sustainable seaport. As part of an industry-leading $4 billion capital improvement program this decade, the Port is building some of the most modern, efficient and sustainable marine facilities in the world to accommodate bigger and bigger ships, while generating thousands of new jobs in the region.

The Port of Long Beach prides itself on its culture of excellent customer service and the strong relationships it maintains with industry, community, environmental advocates and partner agencies. It has received many accolades from government and industry for its landmark green initiatives, and industry leaders have named it “The Best Seaport in North America” for 19 of the past 22 years.

HEADS OF DELEGATION

Press release: MPA Renews Memorandum of Understanding With Port of Rotterdam Authority to Strengthen Cooperation in Information Exchange and R&D

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The 3rd edition of PAR was organized by the Ningbo Municipal Administration Bureau. It was held in Ningbo, China from 9 to 11 July 2017.

Under the theme "Innovation and Sharing: To be efficient, safe and intelligent port", the topics discussed included: port resource integration, port logistics, sustainability, port safety, emergency response and security. PAR2017@Ningbo saw 14 organisations participating in the event, including Port and Urban Projects Bureau, Kobe City Government, Port and Harbour Bureau, City of Yokohama, Port of Le Havre and Port of Dalian Authority who participated for the first time.

ABOUT HOST PORT AUTHORITY

Ningbo Port is composed of Beilun Port Area, Zhenhai Port Area, Ningbo Port Area, Daxie Port Area and Chuanshan Port Area and is a multi-functional and comprehensive modern deep-water port integrated by inner river port, estuary port and seaport. Ningbo Port mainly engages in stevedoring, storage and transfer of imported iron ores, domestic and foreign trade containers, crude oil and product oil, liquid chemical products, coals and other bulk cargos. In September 2015, the Ningbo Port Co. revealed it had completed merger procedures with Zhoushan Port Co. The new company is called Ningbo- Zhoushan Port Group Co. Ningbo- Zhoushan port handled a total throughput of 24.6m TEU in 2017, an increase of 14.1% compared to 2016 volume of 23.3m TEU. Ningbo- Zhoushan port was ranked the world’s fourth busiest container port in 2017 by Alphaliner.

HEADS OF DELEGATION

Press release: LNG Bunkering Port Focus Group Strengthened Through Addition of Port of Ningbo-Zhousan, Port of Marseille Fos and Port of Vancouver

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The 2nd edition of PAR was organised by the Port of Rotterdam Authority. It was held at the Port of Rotterdam, the Netherlands, from 22 to 24 June 2016.

Under the theme "Safety and Security, efficiency and sustainability", the topics addressed at PAR2016@Rotterdam included safety, security, sustainability and efficiency. PAR 2016 was attended by past PAR 2015 participants, as well as new participants from USA and Europe.

ABOUT HOST PORT AUTHORITY

The Port of Rotterdam is the largest port in Europe, located in the city of Rotterdam, Netherlands. In 2011, Rotterdam was the world's eleventh-largest container port in terms of twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) handled (2009: tenth; 2008: ninth, 2006: sixth). In 2012 Rotterdam was the world's sixth-largest port in terms of annual cargo tonnage.

HEADS OF DELEGATION

Press release: MPA participates in second Port Authorities Roundtable held in Rotterdam to enhance collaboration

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The inaugural PAR, hosted by MPA in Singapore on 20 April 2015, was held in conjunction with the 10th Singapore Maritime Week 2015. PAR 2015 had brought together port authorities from major Asian and European ports to network, share insights on pertinent issues and best practices, as well as to explore areas of collaboration.

Under the theme "Future Ready Ports - Challenges and Opportunities for Port Authorities", topics discussed include port developments, efforts to improve port safety, efficiency, sustainability, and the adoption of future-ready technology and infrastructure in ports.

ABOUT HOST PORT AUTHORITY

Singapore is the busiest container transhipment hub in the world, with more than 30.9 million TEUs of container throughput in 2016. It is connected to 600 ports from over 120 countries. The port's strategic location, accessibility and efficiency make it a preferred port of call attracting more than 130,000 vessels each year.

Equipped with innovative technology and intelligent capabilities, the Port of Singapore handled more than 590 million tonnes of cargo in 2016. Activity on Singapore ports is not restricted to cargo alone. The port's world class infrastructure attracts not just cruises from South East Asia but long haul cruises from countries like China and Australia as well.

Singapore is also a top bunkering port with more than 48 million tonnes of bunkers lifted in Singapore in 2016.

HEADS OF DELEGATION

Press release: Port Authorities Roundtable: Port authorities from 10 ports strengthen cooperation at inaugural roundtable

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