Harbour Master
Harbour Masters
Worldwide there are approximately 3,000 merchant ports and the work of the Harbour Master can vary widely from country to country and from port to port even within the same country.

The International Harbour Masters' Association is the professional body for those with responsibility for the safe, secure, efficient and environmentally sound conduct of marine operations in port waters.
With members in more than 50 countries, the Association brings together Harbour Masters and all those who hold a managerial position in aspects of the control of marine operations within a port.
Investments to improve efficiency and expand port capacity
Modernisation will help shift cargo from roads to shipping and railway
Turkey’s maritime industry is receiving a boost thanks to a new loan from the London-based European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) of US$ 17.5 million to the operator of Tekirdag port on the Sea of Marmara. ICBC Turkey is providing an equal loan.
Ceyport Tekirdag Uluslararasi Liman Isletmeciligi is operating the port under a 36-year concession granted by the Turkish privatisation authority last year (2018).
It is understood that the EBRD loan will partially finance the acquisition of operating rights, the modernisation of the port and the expansion of its capacity, to which the company has committed under the concession agreement.
Tekirdag port handles general cargo, dry and liquid bulk, containers and ro-ro vessels and serves industrial and agricultural production and trade in the region.
It is the only port in the western Marmara Sea that provides both ro-ro and rail-ferry services to the eastern Marmara region. Enhanced port infrastructure will play a key role in directing a larger share of cargo from roads towards railway and shipping lines, which are more environmentally friendly alternatives.
The port operator is a subsidiary of Cey Group, one of the largest logistics groups in Turkey, which also includes Ceynak Lojistik and the operators of Samsun port and Mesbas port located in the Mersin Free Zone.
Member States of the IMO have urged further firm action in coming years to advance gender equality throughout the maritime sector and reach a barrier-free environment, following a year of action to “empower women in the maritime community” – the World Maritime theme for 2019.
IMO Assembly adoption of resolution
The IMO Assembly, meeting for its 31st session from 25 November to 4 December adopted a resolution on Preserving the Legacy of the World Maritime Theme for 2019 and achieving a Barrier-Free Working Environment for Women in the Maritime Sector.
This resolution urges governments, maritime administrations and the industry to endeavour to reach a barrier-free environment for women, so that all women can participate fully, safely and without hindrance in the activities of the maritime community, including seafaring and shipbuilding activities.
Furthermore, the resolution notes testimony from women from across the various maritime industries which demonstrates that barriers and obstacles still exist at every level. Work towards gender equality, including the fostering of a safe environment for women in the maritime sector, remains incomplete and should continue to be pursued.
Governments, maritime administrations and the industry should consider ways to continuously identify and overcome existing constraints in all aspects of the maritime sector, in particular, in terms of recruitment, promotion, training, capacity-building and technical cooperation.
Join the world’s premier professional body for harbour masters. As an IHMA member, you will receive access to:
As a specialized agency of the United Nations, IMO is the global standard-setting authority for the safety, security and environmental performance of international shipping. Its main role is to create a regulatory framework for the shipping industry that is fair and effective, universally adopted and universally implemented.