News Release
FOR RELEASE - September 12, 2018
Contact: Aaron Ellis, Public Affairs Director, aellis@aapa-ports.org
(703) 684-5700
American Association of Port Authorities
Phone: (202) 792-4033
www.aapa-ports.org
 |
Puerto Valparaíso (Port of Valparaíso), a major cruise destination and annually handling more than 10 million tons of cargo as Chile’s second-largest container port, from Oct. 7 through Oct. 10 will host the 107th Annual Convention and Expo of the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) - the unified and recognized voice of seaports in the Americas.
In addition to being the Western Hemisphere’s largest gathering of seaport and maritime transportation professionals, this is the first time AAPA’s annual convention will be held on South America’s mainland. The three-day business program features a robust agenda, with specialists focusing on the global economics of the maritime sector, the impact of mergers and acquisitions in port operations, cybersecurity challenges, workforce development and port sustainability.
The convention’s keynote address will be presented on Oct. 9 by Gloria Hutt Hesse, Chile’s minister of transport and telecommunications, who will discuss Chile’s national port system and the government’s plan for future port infrastructure development. She will be introduced by Raúl Celis Montt, Port of Valparaiso’s chairman of the board.
A keynote panel featuring Patrick Verhoeven, managing director of policy and strategy for the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH), Ricardo de Tezanos Pinto, president of Chile’s Public Enterprise System (SEP), and Ricardo Sánchez, the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean’s (ECLAC) regional expert on infrastructure and ports, will open the program for the estimated 600-plus convention participants. Moderated by past-AAPA Chairman Armando Duarte-Peláez, these experts will address the port and the maritime sector’s strategies for managing today’s challenging global economic conditions.
During the convention’s first day, a host of international subject matter specialists will focus on issues related to maritime-sector business consolidations and mergers, cyber-attacks, and information security challenges faced by ports and shippers, as well as strategies and best practices to prevent and recover from those cyber-attacks.
Closing out the convention’s first full day will be a session on the importance of innovation in the ecosystem for port competitiveness.
During the convention’s second day of business programs, speakers will focus on strategies for port development, community relationship and sector sustainability.
The convention’s final business session will feature case studies on port workforce development, training processes and the adaptability required from port workers in a constantly changing maritime environment.
More information about AAPA’s 107th Annual Convention and Expo, including its business program agenda, exhibitors and sponsors, is available at http://www.aapavalparaiso2018.com/en/.
| WHO: |
American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) and Port of Valparaíso. |
| WHAT: |
AAPA’s 107th Annual Convention and Expo, featuring a host of leading port, business, government and academic specialists, together with a keynote panel made up of leaders from IAPH, SEP and ECLAC. |
| WHEN: |
October 7-10, 2018 |
| WHERE: |
Valparaíso Passenger Terminal (Terminal De Pasajeros De Valparaíso - VTP), Interiores Recintos Portuarios, Nudo Barón S/N, Valparaíso, Chile. |
| MEDIA: | Professional journalists representing bona-fide media outlets may request complimentary access to open business sessions (Oct. 9-10) by contacting Sra. Zulma Patricia Dinelli, director of Contacto Centro, at telephone +54-341-527-0801 or email at info@aapavalparaiso2018.com. |
About AAPA
Founded in 1912 and recognized as the unified voice of seaports in the Americas, AAPA today represents 140 of the leading seaport authorities in the United States, Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean and more than 250 sustaining and associate members, firms and individuals with an interest in seaports. According to IHS Markit’s World Trade Service, combined international sea trade moving through Western Hemisphere ports in 2016 totaled 3.49 billion metric tons in volume and US$3.01 trillion in value. Of that total, ports in Central and South America handled 1.71 billion metric tons of cargo valued at US$941 billion, while North American ports handled 1.79 billion metric tons of goods, valued at US$2.07 trillion. To meet the growing demand for trade, the AAPA and its members are committed to keeping seaports navigable, secure and sustainable. For more information, visit www.aapa-ports.org. On Twitter: http://twitter.com/AAPA_Seaports
