70 years after its official founding, the stage is set for IAPH to return to the city where the associations’ story began: Kobe, the site of the first International Port & Harbor Conference. Located between the Rokko mountain range and the Seto inland sea, this historical port city has been embracing foreign cultures since the 9th century, giving the city a unique international flavor. Kobe has been a major international trading port since 1868 and boasts an eclectic mix of Japanese and late 19th century Western architecture. It is home to 1.5 million people from more than 130 countries. 2025 marks three decades since the Great Hanshin Earthquake that caused such extensive damage to Kobe and the surrounding areas – this year’s World Ports Conference will therefore act as a showcase of the remarkable recovery and resilience of the port. Famous for its high-quality beef, delicious sake and historic hot springs, Kobe has always been a city of many Japanese “firsts” and IAPH is a part of that proud tradition. This was the historic location where Japanese and American port professionals proposed a motion to create a new, permanent international association for ports around the world. Seven decades later, it is an idea that retains unanimous support.
Dreamstime ID 30083428 – Kobe Port © Sean Pavone
