This premier freeport is all set as the Port of Subic Bay takes its turn to host the 23rd International Network of Affiliated Ports (INAP) Conference today (October 16).
INAP Subic Organizing Committee chairman and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Deputy Administrator for Operations Martin Kristoffer Roman explained that INAPis an organization of ports established in Japan in 1998, with Subic port as one of the founding members.
The two-day conference, Roman added, is being held annually, and currently being hosted by the incoming INAP chairman’s home port.
With this year’s theme, “Promoting Resiliency and Disaster Preparedness,” the Heads of Ports are expected to share their best practices in port and environmental management, to promote mutually beneficial opportunities for all the ports, especially the member-ports.
Also sharing their best practices with respect to environmental protection and disaster preparedness are member-ports, namely: Ports of Cebu and Davao, Philippines; Port of Chittagong, Bangladesh; Colombo, Sri Lanka; Dangjin, South Korea; Mokpo, Korea; Kochi, Japan; Qingdao, China; and Tanjung Perak, Indonesia.
Delegates from Thailand and Vietnam will also join in the conference to observe the benefits of INAP membership.
“As for the Port of Subic Bay, we will be sharing emerging and green technologies, that will help reduce carbon footprints, and similar projects, whether completed or upcoming,” INAP Subic Organizing Committee vice chairman and Seaport Assistant General Manager Philip Lazaro said.
Also highlighting the conference will be the formal turnover of INAP leadership from Port of Kochi, Japan to Port of Subic Bay.
The INAP conference will also include a tree-planting activity of the Heads of Ports, a few plant tours and a bay cruise on the waters of Subic Bay.
Roman also expressed his gratitude to the Subic Bay International Terminal Corporation (SBITC), Subic Bay Freeport Grain Terminal Services Inc., and La Banca for the invaluable partnership and active participation in the smooth planning of activities for the 23rd INAPconference.
Around 300 stakeholders, port users, residents, other locators, and neighboring local government units will be joining the 58 delegates from the member ports expected to participate in the symposium.
In 2014, the Port of Subic Bay also hosted the INAP conference.