MOTC Minister Li Men-yen (third left at center desk) is joined by Kaohsiung City Mayor Chen Chi-mai (third right at center desk) at the annual conference of the Association of Pacific Ports Aug. 11-14 in southern Taiwan. (Courtesy of MOTC)
 

The 110th Annual Conference of the Association of Pacific Ports wrapped up Aug. 14 in southern Taiwan’s Port of Kaohsiung, spotlighting Taiwan’s soft power and highlighting the city as a regional hub in the Pacific, according to the Ministry of Transportation and Communications.

Organized by the Taiwan International Ports Corporation Ltd. Aug. 11-14, the event was attended by representatives of 30 ports from nine countries worldwide. Participants also included non-members Port of Busan from South Korea and Ports of Kobe, Naha and Tokyo of Japan.

The conference included a forum and a keynote speech by Noel Hacegaba, deputy executive director of the Port of Long Beach, California, focusing on port development and exchanges with representatives from port-relevant businesses. The TIPC also shared outstanding achievements in developing smart and sustainable ports, and its green pier operations as well as arranging for guests to visit the port’s sixth and seventh container terminals during the event.

According to the MOTC, the Port of Kaohsiung inked respective sister port agreements with U.S.’ Port of Long Beach and the Marshall Islands’ Port of Majuro Aug. 13. The Port of Kaohsiung is committed to deepening sustainable cooperation for green ports with Long Beach while sharing its rich operational experiences with Majuro, the ministry said, adding that both pacts will lay foundations for future collaboration in areas spanning information security and port intelligence.

After witnessing the signing ceremony, MOTC Minister Li Men-yen said the agreements inked during the annual conference demonstrated APP commitment to serving its members and strengthening Pacific port networks. The event concluded by officially passing the responsibility for holding the next conference to Canada’s Port of Nanaimo.

The Port of Kaohsiung has signed sister agreements with 20 ports from over ten countries, including France, Germany, Spain, the UAE and the UK, according to the MOTC. (YCH-E)