Strengthening ties between ports

Thursday, 25 August 2011 00:13 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Cassandra Mascarenhas

Strengthening ties between ports in the Asian region, the 13th conference of the International Network of Affiliated Ports, the INAP 2011 Symposium, commenced yesterday upon the theme ‘Bridging Global Regions through Affiliated Ports for Mutual Cooperation’ and showcased the latest developments undertaken at the six participating member ports.

Held at the Cinnamon Lakeside, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority hosted the event for the third time and it attracted delegations from six countries including Sri Lanka.

The six countries included Japan representing the Port of Kochi, Philippines representing the Port of Subic Bay and the Port of Cebu, Indonesia representing the Port of Tanjung Perak, South Korea representing the Port of Mokpo, Sri Lanka representing the Port of Colombo as well as a delegation from China, who is also a member of INAP.

The theme chosen for this year’s symposium was apt as it clearly defines a myriad of regionalisms based on trade, economic, security and various other considerations. The predominant view aired at the symposium was that regionalism presents an important alternative to the homogenising force of globalisation today, as regionalism includes the awareness of the local identities and former experiences that can be remixed into the new system.

Sri Lanka also played host to the first INAP symposium held back in 1998 when the new port of Kochi was opened for service in March 1998. At the opportunity of the commissioning of the new Port of Kochi, MP M.H.M. Ashraff, the then Minister of Ports Development, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction for the Government of Sri Lanka proposed that an opportunity should be created for all affiliate ports to meet together. The proposal was agreed to by the Governor of Kochi.

The Sri Lanka Ports Authority, upon this decision, held an International Symposium with six other participating ports, all with Sister-Port Agreements with the Port of Kochi or the Port of Colombo, were the Port of Subic Bay, the Philippines; the Port of Tanjung Perak, Indonesia; the Port of Qingdao, the People’s Republic of China; and the Port of New Orleans, the USA.

At the inauguration speakers included SLPA Chairman as well as newly-elected INAP Chairman Dr. Priyath B. Wickrama, Governor of the Kochi Prefectural Government Masanao Ozaki and Chief Guest at the event, the Deputy Minister