IAPH teams up with APEC and C-MAT to offer International Port Strategy Course

Online course with readings, recorded content and live sessions aimed at professionals working in the world’s port communities

As part of the objective to increase knowledge-sharing among its membership, IAPH has teamed up with our associate members APEC (Antwerp/Flanders Port Training Center) and C-MAT (Center for Maritime and Air Transport) in offering an executive course on the international aspects of port strategy and management.

In an ever-changing world, ports must respond to global, regional and local challenges. The past year has emphasised more than ever the vital role ports play in the global economy. The crucial function of ports for a country’s welfare demands an international strategy to sustain in times of crisis, trade wars and geopolitical shifts. Identifying the external environment and creating a unique competitive position are key elements of an international port strategy. It’s effective implementation is essential for the resilience of every port. The course deals with the major global macro-economic and geopolitical trends and analyse their impact on port platforms, from changing global supply chains, to digitalisation, climate change and energy transition.

Furthermore, content focuses on regional differences and realities in the port sector in China, India, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and Europe. The final aspect of the course evaluates different international strategies within the port industry and provides the support to participants in designing an international strategy for their own ports.

IAPH Managing Director Patrick Verhoeven commented : “We have cooperated with both APEC and C-MAT on several educational initiatives already and look forward to expanding our collaboration as we seek to offer innovative and creative educational courses to our IAPH membership and beyond for the international port community during this challenging period for us all.”

Lectures will be given by a mix of experienced port professionals, academics and global policy makers. The course will be held online, spread over eight weeks, from 22 February to 14 April. The course covers 70 study hours in a combination of readings, recorded content and live sessions. The live sessions will be planned to best suit the availability of the participants, as these are an essential part of the learning experience. They offer a unique opportunity to interact with our experts and fellow participants, reviewing and discussing progress and assignments.

IAPH members enjoy 20% reduction on the registration price. You can find all details on the APEC website here. Please note that registration closes 8 February.

For more information, please contact Ms Tingting Yao at APEC:

tingting.yao@portofantwerp.com

About APEC

APEC has been giving port training seminars since 1977, transferring knowledge from one port professional to another.

Around 15.000 people from all over the world have joined in on one of the seminars over the past four decades, gaining from the APEC repertoire of knowledge and skills, provided by both the private and public maritime sector in Flanders.

The short-term seminars offer not only the expertise that is present in Antwerp and Flanders; they provide a platform of discussion between participants, building a unique bond of friendship amongst them. APEC brings together port professionals and experts from all corners of the world to share and learn best practices, in order to enrichen their own professional career.

About C-MAT

C-MAT, the Centre for Maritime & Air Transport Management, is one of the world's premier suppliers of highly specialised academic, practice-based education and research in transport economics, with a focus on maritime transport, air transport and transport research. Students benefit from intercultural training by a  qualified team of professors and experts, as well as from opportunities to engage in international networking.

Since this academic year, the faculty joined forces with the Antwerp management school in a joint Center of Excellence. This way, we not only become the local ecosystem’s obvious knowledge partner, but we strengthen our position as a global leader in research and education in the fields of supply chain, transportation and logistics.

About the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH):

Founded in 1955, the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) is a non-profit-making global alliance of 170 ports and 140 port-related organisations covering 90 countries. Its member ports handle more than 60 percent of global maritime trade and around 80 percent of world container traffic. IAPH has consultative NGO status with several United Nations agencies, including the IMO. Through its knowledge base and access to regulatory bodies, IAPH aims to facilitate energy transition, accelerate digitalization and assist in improving overall resilience of its member ports in a constantly changing world. In 2018, IAPH established the World Ports Sustainability Program (WPSP). Guided by the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, it aims to unite sustainability efforts of ports worldwide by sharing best practices through its project portfolio and collaborative partnerships.