The 8th IHMA Congress in Cork will explore and address the changing landscape of ports and how these changes are redefining the role of harbour masters in the future. Addressing the theme, "Marine experience: Can we manage tomorrow's port without it?" the 2012 IHMA Congress will showcase technical and operational breakthroughs together with international case studies on the development and management of modern port and marine operations across the globe.
The Congress runs from the 14th to the 18th of May and takes in some fantastic learning and networking opportunities. From the traditional welcomes and first session on the role of the Harbour Master in port management and development to the closing site tour with lunch at Jameson Heritage Centre it promises to be a fantastic week.
The Congress will address the following key issues:
The role of the Harbour Master in port management and development
The legal powers of the Harbour Master in new commercial landscape
Managing the decline of nautical expertise in shipping and the port industry
Port performance, port competition and the Harbour Master
International harmonisation of port rules, regulations and procedures
Cost cutting, efficient and safe operations in tomorrow's port
Programme;
Monday 14th May 2012, 08.00-17.30 1st congress day
Monday 14th May 2012, 18.00 Congress Welcome Reception
Tuesday 15th May 2012, 08.30-17.10 2nd congress day
Tuesday 15th May 2012, 17.30 Exhibition Networking Drinks
Wednesday 16th May 2012, 08.30-17.10 3d congess day
Wednesday 16th May 2012, 17.10 Launch of the revised edition of The Work of the Harbour Master
Wednesday 16th May 2012, 19.00 Official Congress Dinner
Thursday 17th May 2012, 08.30-10.40 4th congress day
Thursday 17th May 2012, 11.10-16.00 IHMA OGM
Thursday 17th May 2012, 16.30-18.00 Combined IHMA ExCo / Council meeting
Friday 18th May 2012, 09.00-14.30 Technical Site Tour
During the build up to the event a number of key speakers and IHMA members have been interviewed by the Congress team;
Capt. Kevin Richardson highlighted the importance of the role of Harbour Masters to the marine industry as a whole and how they play a pivotal role in keeping the worlds’ trade gateways moving.
His motto was "Keep it moving….. but keep it safe!" as the Harbour Master tirelessly works to balance the delicate equilibrium between demand and uplift. “Get it wrong and there are either huge shipping delays or huge terminal traffic delays and probably both.”
Most recently the Chief Harbour Master of the River Thames, Cmdr. David Phillips also spoke on the equilibrium that needs to be struck between the many user groups that utilize one of the UK’s key waterways, especially in such a busy year for London and the Thames.
These insights are just a taster as to what will be covered during the Congress week. The IHMA looks forward to welcoming you all to Cork in May.
Latest News & Events
On 15 October it was announced jointly from London and Kuala Lumpur that the International Chamber of Commerce International Maritime Bureau’s (IMB) had issued its report for the third quarter of 2019. This document demonstrates that fewer incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships were reported than in
the first nine months of 2018.
A total of 119 incidents of Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships have been reported to the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre (IMB PRC) in 2019, compared to 156 incidents for the same period in 2018. Overall, the 2019 incidents include 95 vessels boarded, 10 vessels fired upon, 10 attempted attacks, and four vessels hijacked. The number of crew taken hostage through the first nine months has declined from 112 in 2018 to 49 in 2019.
While the overall number of incidents has dropped, incidents involving guns and knives remain consistent. There have been 24 knife-related and 35 gun-related incidents reported in 2019, compared to 25 and 37 for the first nine months of 2018. These statistics confirm IMB’s concerns over continued threats to the safety and security of seafarers.
Gulf of Guinea
The Gulf of Guinea remains a high risk area for piracy and armed robbery. The region accounts for 86% of crew taken hostage and nearly 82% of crew kidnappings globally.
In July a general cargo vessel was hijacked approximately 120nm SW of Brass. Ten crew members were kidnapped from the vessel and released four weeks later. In August a bulk carrier and a general cargo vessel were boarded within hours of each other at Douala anchorage, Cameroon, and a total of seventeen crew were kidnapped from the vessels. Within six weeks all kidnapped crew were released. This incident demonstrates the range of piracy activity in the Gulf of Guinea and that all types of ships are vulnerable to attack. Lagos recorded 11 incidents in 2019, the highest number for any port.
In the words of said Pottengal Mukundan, Director, ICC IMB: ‘Although incidents are down, the Gulf of Guinea continues to be a concern for piracy and armed robbery-related activities with kidnappings of crew members increasing in both scale and frequency. It is important that shipmasters and owners continue to report all actual, attempted, and suspected incidents to ensure that an accurate picture of these attacks emerge and action is taken against these criminals before the incidents further escalate.’
In recognition of California Clean Air Day, the Port of Long Beach (POLB) announced on 2 October the demonstration of hydrogen- and electric-powered cargo handling equipment at two terminals, in pursuit of its goal to become the world’s first zero-emissions seaport.
This new equipment was purchased through a $5.3 million grant from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) as part of the C-PORT, or Commercialization of POLB Off-Road Technology Project. It was reported that the port has several continuing clean-air technology demonstrations in partnership with labour, marine terminal operators and regulatory agencies.
It is understand that the CARB grant falls under the umbrella of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts billions of cap-and-trade dollars to work by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy and improving public health and the environment – particularly in disadvantaged communities similar to those adjacent to the port.
In the words of Long Beach Harbor Commission President Bonnie Lowenthal: ‘Today, you see some of the equipment with the potential to take us to the next level – zero emissions. The equipment, which will be operated by our longshore partners at the port, will help us reduce our impact on our neighbourhoods and contribute to the port’s ability to increase trade.’
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