Geopolitical tensions are driving a new era of strategic competition, which demands a reassessment of how critical port infrastructure is safeguarded against both physical and digital threats. On the initiative of Jacques Vandermeiren, IAPH vice-president for Europe and CEO of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, IAPH is organising an invitation-only high-level seminar on this topic for its port members in Europe. The seminar will bring together senior executives of port authorities as well as key stakeholders and decision makers from the maritime and logistics sector and from government. The seminar will be held in Rome on 8 July, and will be kindly hosted by the Italian shipowners’ association, Confitarma. Keynote speakers include James H Bergeron, political advisor to commander at NATO’s Allied Maritime Command, Gisela Vieira, acting head of the Maritime Security Section at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Emanuele Grimaldi, chairman of the International Chamber of Shipping and managing director of Grimaldi Group, Dmytro Barinov, deputy head (2021-2025) at the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority, and Niels Vanlaer, chairman of the IAPH Risk and Resilience committee and harbour master at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges. The format will be interactive and the event will be administered under the Chatham House Rule. Senior executives and coordinators of IAPH regular members in the European region have received a personal invitation to attend the seminar. If you have missed the invitation and are interested to attend, kindly contact IAPH coordination and support manager Fabienne Van Loo. Places are restricted and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
