HOUSTON, Jan. 26, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Critical issues ranging from port security to the globalization of the world economy will be at the forefront when the 25th International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) World Ports Conference convenes April 27 through May 4, 2007 in Houston. The theme of the conference, "Anchored by Commitment -- Buoyed by Unity," will celebrate the reunion of world port leaders and provide an arena for addressing the challenges and opportunities that confront the global maritime industry. It is anticipated that more than 1,200 delegates will register and attend the conference.
The heart of the conference programming is its "Working Sessions" where conference participants will hear formal presentations from nearly 30 leaders representing the worldwide maritime community. The six core working sessions encompass the industry's most important trends and issues: Globalization of World Economy and Its Impact on Ports, Port Security and Risk Management, Challenges to Port Environment, Ports Adapting to Future Business Opportunities, Logistics Infrastructure and Port Strategies, and New Technological Innovations for Port Operations.
The diverse presenters who are confirmed to address the conference include:
* H. Thomas Kornegay, President, IAPH and Executive Director, Port
of Houston Authority
* Neil Davidson, Research Director, Drewry Shipping Consultants LTD.
* Li Zouming, Director, China Shipping Regional Holdings S/B
* Gichiri Ndua, IAPH 2nd Vice President and Corporate Service
Manager, Kenya Port Authority
* Peter Mollema, Director of Strategy, Port Infrastructure &
Maritime Affairs, Port of Rotterdam Authority
* Jeff Siewert, Director of International Logistics, The Home Depot
* Shigeo Takahashi, Executive Researcher and Director of the Tsunami
Research Center, Port and Airport Research Institute
* Pieter Struijs, IAPH Immediate Past President, Senior Executive
Vice President, Port of Rotterdam Authority
* Dr. Geraldine Knatz, Executive Director, Port of Los Angeles
* Peter Hinchliffe, General Manager, International Chamber of
Shipping (ICS)
* Charlie Sheldon, Managing Director, Seaport, Port of Seattle
* Dr. Paula Kahumbu, General Manager, LAFARGE Eco Systems
* Bernard Groseclose, IAPH Third Vice President and President and
CEO, South Carolina State Ports Authority
* Philip Crannell, Executive Vice President, CH2M Hill
* Giovanni Novi, President, Port of Genoa
* O.C. Phang, IAPH First Vice President and General Manager, Port
Klang Authority, Malaysia
* Alberto Aleman Zubieta, Administrator, Panama Canal Authority
* Robert West, Managing Director, Global, Trade, & Transportation,
Global Insight, Inc.
* Siyabonga Gama, Chief Executive Officer, Spoornet International
* Captain William Schubert, Former U.S. Maritime Administrator
* Jose Luis (J.L.) Estrada, Planning and Development Director,
Puertos Del Estado
* Dr. Michael Walton, Ernest H. Cockrell Centennial Chair in
Engineering, University of Texas at Austin
* Mr. Wolfgang Hurtienne, Director / Head of Port Planning Division,
Hamburg Port Authority
Each work session will allow time for a question and answer session with each speaker.
In addition, Houston Mayor Bill White, Harris County Judge Robert Eckels and other local dignitaries will address the conference.
The Port of Houston Authority (PHA) will serve as the conference host and the City of Houston, Harris County, the Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau and Continental Airlines will serve as the lead sponsors of the event.
PHA Executive Director H. Thomas Kornegay, who serves as IAPH president, stated, "I am delighted that we will be able to assemble the world's leading experts in the maritime industry to address a dynamically evolving agenda focused on building the strategic framework that is critical to the on-going success of our global port operations."
PHA Director of Public Affairs Argentina James, who serves as vice president of the IAPH conference, adds, "The IAPH conference in Houston will be simply the best opportunity for the world's maritime industry leaders to address enormous challenges and opportunities to protect and advance the efficiencies throughout the global supply chain."
The International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) was founded in 1955. For more than 50 years, IAPH has steadily developed as the leading organization in the global maritime industry. Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, IAPH is comprised of representatives from more than 400 ports and top executives from major industry corporations in nearly 90 countries around the world. The members' ports as a whole handle 85 percent of the world's container traffic and more than 60 percent of the global seaborne trade. More information about IAPH is available on www.IAPHworldports.org.
For more information regarding conference registration, sponsorships, and exhibit opportunities, visit www.IAPH2007.com.
The International Association of Ports and Harbors logo is available at http://www.primenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=3244
The Port of Houston Authority logo is available at http://media.primezone.com/prs/single/?pkgid=720