The 110th annual conference of the Association of Pacific Ports (APP) was held on August 11th -14th at the InterContinental Kaohsiung, attended by senior representatives from the Taiwan International Ports Corporation (TIPC) and peer port organizations from across the region.
TIPC took further advantage of this year’s Taiwan-based event to announce the confirmation of long-anticipated sister port relations between Port of Kaohsiung, TIPC and the Port of Long Beach (USA) and the Port of Majuro (Marshall Islands), with agreements signed today (August 13th) during a special sideline event. These sister-port agreements lay a solid foundation for formal cooperation among the parties in the realms of port operations, information security, and smart port development.
The sister port agreement signing ceremony between Port of Kaohsiung and the two ports were witnessed by Kaohsiung City Mayor Chi-mai Chen and MOTC Minister Meng-yen Li. Members of the signatory teams included TIPC Chairman Hsien-yi Lee (witness) and Port of Kaohsiung President Chin-jung Wang (signatory), Port of Long Beach Commissioner Sharon L. Weissman (witness) and Port of Long Beach COO Dr. Noel Hacegaba (signatory), and Marshall Island Minister of Transport Hilton Kendall (witness) and Republic of Marshall Islands Ports Authority Executive Director Thomas Maddison (signatory). MOTC Minister Li noted that holding the sister port signing ceremony during the APP annual conference fully respects the spirit of APP service to its members and brings ports of the Asia Pacific Region into even closer comity.
Port of Long Beach in the US state of California is a main hub for trade flowing between the United States and Asia, with Taiwan the second largest destination for exports out of Long Beach. The port’s 6 container terminals and 72 container cranes handle over 9 million TEU of containerized cargo annually. Also, the port is pushing forward with environmental sustainability efforts through energy action planning, biodiversity promotions, zero-net emission targeting, and other initiatives. As the first major port to implement speed reduction policies within port waters, systematically improve port air quality, and install shore power at all container wharves, Long Beach is continuing to develop and grow as a world-class green port.
The Republic of the Marshall Islands, a diplomatic ally of Taiwan, is a beautiful country comprising 33 coral atolls and volcanic islands in the western North Pacific. Port of Majuro, on the eastern side of Majuro Atoll, is the country’s largest international commercial port, with facilities to handle oil tankers, container ships, and cruise ships. The port’s two districts, Delap and Uliga, are respectively responsible for handling international trade (i.e., bulk and containerized cargo) and inter-island domestic trade and cargo transits. Delap is also home to vessel maintenance and repair facilities. Port of Kaohsiung’s sister port agreement with Port of Majuro goes beyond port-to-port assistance and exchange to further strengthen economic and trade cooperation between their two countries.
TIPC Chairman Lee shared that keynote speeches and focused workshops held during annual APP conferences provide an opportunity for port officials from around the Asia Pacific Region to discuss port trends and to share related knowledge and experience. Taiwan last hosted the APP annual conference in 2015, when 18 officials from 8 ports in six countries gathered at Port of Kaohsiung for the 102nd APP Conference. This year, 72 officials from 30 ports in nine countries are in attendance, underscoring the important role of Taiwan’s ports in bolstering and growing the nation’s international relations profile. TIPC and the national government worked closely together to make this year’s event a resounding success. The 110th annual APP conference not only provides a platform for exchange between Taiwan’s port group and its Asia-Pacific peers but also increases Taiwan’s international profile. TIPC looks expectantly forward to its port’s new sister port relationships to grow and flourish, offering practical and mutual benefits in the critical realms of port infrastructure development, port operations, and port administration.
※ Port of Kaohsiung has regularly maintained sister port relations with 18 commercial ports in 13 nations, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Canada, Germany, the United Arab Emirates, Russia, China, Poland, and South Korea. The addition of Long Beach and Port of Majuro increases these numbers to 20 ports in 19 nations.
Secretariat, TIPC
Contact Person:
Zion Chou, Acting Manager
07-5622425 | T02506@twport.com.tw
