TOKYO - The International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) convened at its Mid-term Conference in Panama City, Panama, 10-13 May 2016, was successfully concluded, attracting nearly 200 delegates, accompanying persons, guest speakers and exhibitors from across the world. Opening Ceremony Mr. Susumu Naruse, IAPH Secretary General, thanked our host, Panama Maritime Authority for organizing such a fantastic conference. Mr. Santiago Garcia‐Milá Lloveras, IAPH President of the IAPH, mentioned that “How significant it is to be in Panama to witness the completion of the expanded canal and discuss its implications to world maritime trade!” Mr. Jorge Barakat Pitty, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Administrator of the Panama Maritime Authority, mentioned “How glad we, the Panama Maritime Authority, are to host this significant conference of IAPH here in Panama City for the first time in the IAPH history. Finally Mr. Álvaro Alemán, Minister of the Presidency of the Republic of Panama, welcomed the delegates to Panama and declared the conference open. Working Sessions The ensuring conference sessions tuned out to be an excellent forum to learn the Panama Canal expansion program and the latest trends of port management and operations not only in Panama but also in Colombia and Mexico. Other topics dealt with were climate change and adaptation measures and sustainable port development. IAPH Resolutions At the meeting of IAPH Board of Directors held on 11 May, IAPH adopted three business resolutions to make its position clear on subjects of immediate concern to the world maritime circle, as follows:
  • Resolution on Urging Ratification of HNS Protocol
  • Resolution on review of fuel oil availability for sea going ships as required by regulation 14.8 of MARPOL Annex VI
  • Resolution on the Smooth Implementation of the SOLAS Convention on the VGM of Containers
Full text of the resolutions is appended.