The 23rd IAPH World Ports Conference, Durban, South Africa, 24-30 May 2003 was a great success!


The 23rd World Ports Conference of IAPH was held at the Durban's Internatinoal Convention Center (ICC), 24 - 30 May 2003, which was the first Conference ever held in the African Continent.

Total 969 participants including 432 delegates and 149 accompanying persons from 64 countries enjoyed African hospitality for which we are grateful to Mr. Siyabonga Gama, the Conference Vice President, CEO, National Ports Authority of South Africa.

At the opening ceremony on Monday, May 26, South African Public Enterprises Minister Jeff Radebe told that the Conference coincided with Africa Day celebrations to honor the 40th anniversary of the formation of the Organization of African Unity, and he wished to share some perspectives on the global strategic and economic environment that might influence the role of ports and harbors within the context of maritime security, the welfare of nations and the global economy in his keynote address.

At the First Plenary Session on Tuesday afternoon, May 27, the Revised Constitution & By-Laws and the budget for 2003/2004 were adopted. The winner of IAPH Essay Contest for Akiyama Prize 2002/2003, Mr. Nelson C. Mlali, Tanzania Harbours Authority, was invited to the session and awarded the prize by Mr. Eddy Bruyninckx, the judge of the contest.

Also, Mr. Emili Arbos, the chair of Trade Facilitation Committee, announced the IAPH IT Award 2003 winners:

  • Gold Plaque - "An African Success story of a Leap into Information Technology Future" by Kenya Ports Authority, Kenya
  • Silver Plaque - "Mina Zayed Computer Project" by Abu Dhabi Seaport Authority, UAE
  • Bronze Plaque - "Registration of vessel generated waste - burden or clean future investments?" by the Free port of Riga Authority, Latvia

The winners were awarded plaques by IAPH President, Dr. Akio Someya. Prior to the First Plenary Session, the venue of the 25th IAPH World Ports Conference and the new Executive Committee (EXCO) members were confirmed at the Full Board Meeting held on Sunday, May 25.

The 25th IAPH World Ports Conference

The 25th World Ports Conference was officially decided to be in Houston, USA.

Officers and Executive Committee Members (2003 -2005)

President: Mr. Pieter Struijs, Executive Director/Vice Chairman of the Executive Board, Rotterdam Municipal Port Management, Netherlands
1st Vice President: Mr. H. Thomas Kornegay, Executive Director, Port of Houston Authority, USA
2nd Vice President: Datin Paduka O.C. Phang, General Manager, Port Klang Authority, Malaysia
3rd Vice President: Mr. Siyabonga Gama, CEO, National Ports Authority of South Africa, South Africa
Conference Vice President: Mr. Lu, Haifu, President, Shanghai Interantional Port Group Co.Ltd., China
Immediate Past President: Dr. Akio Someya, Executive Vice President, Nagoya Port Authority, Japan
Secretary General: Dr. Satoshi Inoue, Tokyo, Japan

Members in the African/European Region

  • Mr. Eddy Bruyninckx, CEO, Antwerp Port Authority, Belgium
  • Mr. Bo Lerenius, Chairman & Group Chief Executive, Associated British Ports, U.K.
  • Mr. A. Siyam Sive, Managing Director, Port Authority of Douala, Cameroon
  • Mr. Bruno Vergobbi, Managing Director, Port of Dunkirk Authority, France
  • Mr. Riho Rasmann, President, Chairman of the Management Board, Port of Tallinn, Estonia
  • Capt. W.T.C. Wong Chung toi, Director General, Mauritius Ports Authority, Mauritius

Members in the American Region

  • Mr. Dominic J. Taddeo, President and CEO, Montreal Port Authority, Canada
  • Mr. Bernard S. Groseclose, Jr., President and CEO, South Carolina State Ports Authority, U.S.A.
  • Mr. Larry A. Keller, Executive Director, Port of Los Angeles, U.S.A.
  • Mr. Douglas J. Marchand, Executive Director, Georgia Ports Authority, U.S.A.

Members in the Asian/Oceania Region

  • Mr. Lu, Haifu, President, Shanghai International Port Group Co., Ltd., China
  • Mr. Kim, Young-Nam, President, Korea Container Terminal Authority, Korea
  • Mr. Susumu Naruse, Director General, Tomakomai Port Authority, Japan
  • Mr. Geoff Vazey, Chief Executive, Ports of Auckland Limited, New Zealand
  • H.E. Hassan Mousa Al Qamzi, Under Secretary, Abu Dhabi Seaport Authority, U.A.E.
  • Mr. Michael TANG Yew Tong, Assistant Director, Maritime Service Department, Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, Singapore
  • Mr. Greg Martin, CEO, Sydney Ports Corporation, Australia
  • Mr. Chung-Hsiung Wang, Director, Keelung Harbor Bureau, China

More information and pictures will follow!