Cities and ports are accelerating the shift to clean energy and shipping fuels, fostering inclusive dialogue with workers and local communities to generate green jobs – that was the message delivered at IMO HQ by representatives from London, Oslo, and Los Angeles during a post-MEPC reception organised by IAPH and C40 Cities this week. Titled ‘Port cities driving a just and equitable maritime decarbonisation’, the 28 April reception saw speeches by Mete Coban MBE, deputy mayor of London for environment and energy; Anita Leirvik North, vice mayor of Oslo for urban development; Heidi Leander Neilson, port planning director at Oslo Havn; and Erick Martell, senior director of economic infrastructure, ports, City of Los Angeles. Closing remarks were made by Siân Foster, director of corporate affairs at the Port of London Authority (PLA). The event was hosted by Alisa Kreynes, director, ports and shipping, C40 Cities and Patrick Verhoeven, managing director at International Association of Ports and Harbors. The port city representatives expounded on a wide range of city and port measures, from leveraging multilevel and cross-value chain partnerships to electrifying port operations, investing in clean fuel infrastructure, and promoting workforce development programmes. Siân took the opportunity to highlight the importance of the PLA to UK trade and its critical work in safeguarding the Thames; she also encouraged delegates to attend the 2026 IAPH World Ports Conference (held at Olympia, London – November 3-6) for which PLA is the headline sponsor.
Alisa Kreynes, Heidi Leander Neilson, Anita Leirvik North, Mete Coban MBE, Erick Martell, Siân Foster, Patrick Verhoeven
