Mr.Gichiri Ndua's term as the president of the International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH) ended today after hosting the 27th Biennial Conference held in Busan, South Korea since 23rd May 2011. He was succeeded by the
executive director of the port of Los Angeles, Dr. Geraldine Knatz.
Mr. Gichiri Ndua who has been the President of the IAPH for the last two years handed over the leadership of the global port alliance after Dr. Geraldine Knatz, PhD. was unanimously elected by the association’s Board of Directors during their plenary session held this morning.
In his farewell speech, Ndua said he was happy to see the port and shipping industry working together towards facilitation of seaborne trade, one of the goals he persistently pursued during his two year term.
He observed that the recently witnessed high degree of induced political openness, hence increased democratization globally, augured well for local and international trade. "Hence we are justified to expect higher growth in trade including through our ports albeit after some time. If we recall that ports are build ahead of demand, we need to give serious thoughts about port capacities in the Gulf, Middle East and North African Regions." Observed Mr. Ndua.
With the shipping and port industries rebounding from the global economic downturn, Mr. Ndua noted that the industry was once gain at interesting times on its way up although not yet stable. "We therefore need to commend the efforts of our public sector whose timely actions resuscitated the economies of our countries".
However, he cautioned that despite the progress there is again a looming danger in the form of international price crisis that is largely driven by the cost of fuel oil. "Inflation is creeping in rather fast and may have crippling effect. Again this calls for caution" observed Mr. Ndua.
On climate change, Mr. Ndua expressed optimism that his successor was well placed to steer the pertinent matters because she has been very active on the subject of World Port Climate Initiative long enough.
He decried piracy as a security scare to world peace and trade. Hence he implored members to work closely with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and re-assured those "friendly and mindful nations that have committed resources towards abating this menace to know that it is not in vain but in pursuit of global harmony".
Two years ago, the 26th bi-annual (IAPH) conference held in Genoa did Africa proud when, Mr. Gichiri Ndua was elected the first African President of the prestigious Association. After one year he was also appointed the Managing Director of Kenya Ports Authority.
KPA set record as the first organisation from the region to present the first African President of this International Maritime organisation that has been in existence for over 50 years. Until Mr. Ndua took over, the IAPH presidency had been rotating amongst the Americas, Europe and most recent Asia. Mr. Ndua took over from Mrs. Datin Paduka O. C Phang from port Klang -Malaysia.
Prior to this, Mr. Ndua had served as 2nd vice-president and as 1st vice-president of IAPH in-charge of the Africa/Europe region. With strength of 342 members, both regular and associate, IAPH is driven by the motto "world peace through world trade through world ports".
Founded in 1955 in Los Angeles by 38 ports representing 14 countries, the Association marked its 50th anniversary in 2005 having developed into a global alliance of ports, representing today some 230 ports in about 90 countries. The member ports handle over 60 per cent of the world’s sea-borne trade and nearly 50 per cent of the world’s container traffic. It is a non- profit making and non-governmental organization headquartered in Tokyo.
IAPH meets in a full session at its biennial conference in different port cities around the world where the key players of the world port industry – port CEOs, directors and managers – gather to share and discuss issues of their immediate interest and concern. This year’s conference addressed issues ranging from challenges of globalization, global climate change, port management and strategy, ports and city developments, embracing new technology, among others.
Mr. Ndua has served in the port industry for over 27 years. Also accompanying Mr. Ndua were the Harbour Master Captain Twalib Khamis and the Human resource and administration manager Mr. Salim Chingabwi.
IAPH PASSES NEW RESOLUTIONS
The just concluded IAPH conference in Busan, South Korea, has passed a resolution on piracy. While recognizing international counter piracy efforts based on the United Nation’s Security Council’s resolutions, the Association urges states to raise capacity of naval forces to suppress piracy acts and take judicial steps to effectively deal with arrested pirates.
Other resolutions passed included one on The Environmental Ship Index that deals with measures aimed at encouraging ships and ports to reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions and another on Safety of Containers in the Supply Chain targeting the adoption of correct packing and documentation of cargo in containers including mandatory weighing.
Early in the week, the 27th IAPH World Ports Conference got off to a fantastic start with the hosts led by the Mayor of Busan, President of Busan Ports Authority and IAPH Officers welcomed guests, members and speakers from all over the globe at a cocktail reception before the programme kicked off with a series of Technical Committees. These committees which are the heart of IAPH activity include Communications and Training, Port Safety, Security and Environment and Port Development, Operations and Facilitation.
The working sessions that followed saw moderators guide speakers and attendees to highly productive sessions on matters of interest to participants such as Globalization, Climate Initiatives, Port Logistics and Strategic Developments in the maritime sector.
THE NEW PRESIDENT
The new IAPH president