UAE: Abu Dhabi Hosts Port Management Strategy Summit

Port authorities worldwide have to adapt the strategies according to changing industry dynamics. In order to increase productivity, stakeholders must enhance their infrastructure and use of advanced technologies.

Port Management Strategy Summit organized by Fleming Gulf commenced today in Abu Dhabi – UAE, where Global Maritime professionals gathered to discuss latest trends in the port industry.

Capt. Eric Atkinson, President, International Harbour Masters Association was the chairman of the day. The day commenced by a special addressing session by His Excellency Salem Ali Al Zaabi, Acting Director General – National Transport Authority UAE.

Our participants took part in a panel discussion entitled ‘Port performance management: analyzing the key areas’. This session was led by Capt. Eric Atkinson, President, International Harbour Masters Association. The other panelists were Rohan Masakorala, Immediate Past Secretary General of Asian Shippers’ Council and Advisor for Asia- Global Shippers Forum (London) and Herman Journée, Director Strategic Development, Port of Amsterdam; Chairman ECO Sustainable Logistic Chain Foundation.

The first day of the summit saw participation from marine industry experrts worldwide. Some of them included Capt. Tamer Masoud, Harbour Master of Port Of Fujairah; Herman Journée,Director Strategic Development – Port of Amsterdam & Chairman ECO Sustainable Logistic Chain Foundation; Matthieu Nadaud, Shore Connection Marketing Director, Schneider Electric; Shakeel Goburdhone, Director – Port Development of Mauritius Ports Authority.

These thought leaders presented on some of the important aspects of the marine industry. Such as a detailed case study of the port of fujairah was discussed with respect to its strategical location and its management policy. The port development strategy with regards to the current trends in the vessels size was also one of the key topics at the summit.

The Port Strategy Summit is sponsored by Schneider Electric and TRANSAS(Transport Safety Systems). Matthieu Nadaud, Shore Connection Marketing Director of Schneider Electric spoke on the first day on the improvement of port environmental performance. He also spoke on the importance of shore connection and how it is accepted globally.

The second day of the summit will be chaired by Hans J. Niebergall, Esq., President & CEO, South Asia & Africa Regional Port Stability Cooperative ( SAARPSCO). The other eminent speakers included Shashi Shekhar, Founder and Group President of Supply chain & Logistics Group; Adam Zolnowski, Chief Strategy & Corporate Affairs Officer of DCT Gdansk SA; Dr. Hector H. Hernandez, Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering, Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, UAE. Shailendra Shukla, Managing Director of Transas Marine International, Middle East will discuss the port management information systems with respect to the optimization of port resources.

There will be a panel discussion entitled ‘Getting ready to cope with tomorrow’s challenges: Analyzing the port functions, services and management models’ led by the Chairperson Hans J. Niebergall, Esq. This discussion will focus on the future demands on ports and also the impact of alliances between shipping lines. The summit will be concluded by closing remarks from the chairperson.

This summit is supported by International Harbour Master’s Association, Asian Shipper’s Council, World Frieght Network, The Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport and many more.

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Press Release, February 5, 2013