This website uses cookies, including third party ones, to allow for analysis of how people use our website in order to improve your experience and our services. By continuing to use our website, you agree to the use of such cookies. Click here for more information on our and .
Our friends at BC Shipping News recently gave us the opportunity to submit a summary article on our upcoming 10th International Harbour Masters’ Association Congress taking place in Vancouver later this year.
For those of you that are not familiar with the event or would like a quick overview of what will be happening during our time in Vancouver, we have published the article below for your reference.
Thanks to BC Shipping News for your on going support. To our readers – book your trip to Vancouver if you haven’t already done so 🙂
About Congress and the IHMA
‘Port Expansion – The Challenges’ will form the central theme of the upcoming 10th International Harbour Masters’ Association Congress which will take place at the Pinnacle Hotel Vancouver Harbourfront from the 30th May until the 2nd June this year. This year marks the 10th Congress but also the 20th year since the inception of the Association and the Congress Project Management team plan to celebrate in style and deliver the best Congress yet.
The International Harbour Masters’ Association (IHMA) is a non-profit making professional body that unites Harbour Masters around the world. With more than 200 members in 40 countries the Association strives to bring together all those who hold a managerial position in aspects of the control of Marine Operations within a port. Past Congresses have been held in Reykjavik (1996), Amsterdam (1998), Dubai (2000), Cape Town (2002), Bremen (2004), Malta (2006), St Petersburg (2008), Perth (2010), Cork (2012) and Bruges (2014).
Taking place in the 4th largest port in North America, the 2016 IHMA Congress programme appeals to Harbour Masters from ports across all levels of the industry spectrum. Congress papers focus on the opportunities and challenges facing the Harbour Master today and also address the key issues of how Harbour Masters, who are the key custodians of port safety and the environment, balance these responsibilities with the challenges of port expansion and increasing vessel size.
Congress papers focus on the opportunities and challenges facing the Harbour Master today and also address the key issues of how Harbour Masters, who are the key custodians of port safety and the environment, balance these responsibilities with the challenges of port expansion and increasing vessel size.
The three day conference will examine a range of key themes facing port operators today including; Planning and Infrastructure, How Ports Operate Expanded Facilities, Social Acceptance, Harbour Master Special Interest and Marine Labour. The programme will outline local and international case studies on the central theme of ‘Port Expansion – The Challenges’, as well as delivering more traditional updates in marine operations, security, environment and technology.
The Programme
The programme features papers from a range of industry representatives and keynote presentations from some of the most influential organisations in the industry. Captain Kevin Richardson, President of the IHMA will open Congress alongside Chris Wellstood, Director of Marine Operations and Security and Harbour Master at Port Metro Vancouver. Peter Xotta, Vice President, Planning and Operations, Port Metro Vancouver will give a Keynote Address covering ‘Charting a Course toward Long-term Growth and Sustainability’. This will shortly be followed by a Keynote speech from RAdm Roger Girouard the Assistant Commissioner for the Western Region of the Canadian Coast Guard on ‘From the High Seas to your Harbour’. The discussion on Planning and Infrastructure will continue for the remainder of day one where there will be presentations from a range of organisations including the Harbour Masters of Port of Québec (CAN) and Port of Cork (IRE), the Director for Environmental Assessment from Port of Prince Rupert (CAN), and the Marine Operations general Manager of Gladstone Ports Corporation Limited (AUS).
Captain Stephen Brown, immediate past President of the Chamber of Shipping of British Columbia, will open day two of the programme with a Keynote Address on ‘Western Canadian Port Expansion – The Challenges and Opportunities’. Captain Brown will shortly be followed by a Keynote Address from Francis Zachariae the Secretary-General from IALA (FRA) who will cover ‘The Expanding Role of VTS including the Impact of e-Navigation’. The discussion on how ports operate expanded facilities and the challenges and opportunities this brings will continue with presentations from the General Manager of Operations from Pilbara Ports Authority (AUS), the Harbour Master of Port of Prince Rupert (CAN), the Harbour Master of Port of Hamburg (GER), and the Harbour Master of Port of London Authority (UK).
Discussions will continue into day three of the programme with Harbour Master Special Interest and Marine Labour on the agenda. Captain Simon Pelletier the President of IMPA will give a Keynote Address on ‘Megaships, advanced Pilot Technology and the prospects for e-Navigation’. He will be joined on the speaker line-up for that day by the Ports and Shipping Administrator from the OECD, the Harbour Master of Fremantle Ports (AUS), the Head of the Maritime College of Ireland, the Harbour Master of Port of Newcastle (AUS) and a representative from the Australian Maritime College at the University of Tasmania (AUS).
(Full speaker list can be viewed here)
Networking and Social Activities
The three day conference will run alongside an exciting networking programme. There will be an Official Welcome Reception held at the historic Vancouver Rowing Club, Exhibition Networking Drinks and The Official Congress Dinner, the social highlight of the week, will take place at the Terminal City Club. The Congress Dinner is the perfect ending to three days of networking, knowledge sharing and strategic planning. There is also a Partners Programme running alongside Congress providing activities for any other halves that make the journey to Vancouver too. Activities will include private tours of the Vancouver area, Whistler Village and the local wineries.
Following the conclusion of Congress proceedings, attendees have the opportunity to embark on a tour of the current port facilities of Port Metro Vancouver on the morning of the 2nd June. Enjoy a guided waterborne tour of Port Metro Vancouver, the busiest and most diverse port in Canada.
See you in Vancouver
Captain Kevin Richardson, IHMA President is excited to welcome everyone to Vancouver saying;
“Not only is there one of the best technical papers programme we have ever put together but we also have a fabulous Partners’ Programme that means that there will be something for everyone to enjoy in Vancouver.”
“The Association’s biennial ‘flagship’ event is an important event for all sorts of reasons: it will help you get up-to-date with developments in the industry in a convivial atmosphere where you have the opportunity to meet like-minded colleagues.”
“The Association’s biennial ‘flagship’ event is an important event for all sorts of reasons: it will help you get up-to-date with developments in the industry in a convivial atmosphere where you have the opportunity to meet like-minded colleagues.”
Captain Richardson also encourages, not only members of IHMA, but also non-members and industry professionals to “make your attendance a priority, for all these good reasons, and not least because it will be a thoroughly enjoyable event in a splendid location. Indeed it will be the first such congress to take place in North America.”
Harbour Masters from around the world will gather to discuss the key themes and issues mentioned above. One such Harbour Master is Port of Cork Company’s Captain Paul O’Regan who will be attending and presenting a paper at Congress. When asked about the central theme of the Congress ‘Port Expansion – The Challenges’ Captain O’Regan told us: “Ports are expanding to cope with larger and faster cargo throughput’s in a very competitive market. Channels are being deepened, berths are being constructed and cargo handling equipment is bigger and advancing towards automation.”
When it comes to future expansion of the port and demands on the Harbour Master role Captain O’Regan says “The HM has all the necessary practical knowledge required to advise and assist Directors, Senior Management and service providers on what may work best in his/her own port. Further to the practical knowledge, HMs should be able to function at senior management level when appraising development plans, compiling planning applications and working with financial institutions to assist them in understanding the dynamics of their particular ports.”
The HM has all the necessary practical knowledge required to advise and assist Directors, Senior Management and service providers on what may work best in his/her own port.
When asked why a Congress such as this is important to the industry Captain O’Regan told us the “Congress gives a fantastic opportunity for HM’s and other port professional’s to meet and discuss new initiatives and common issues that are being experienced right across the industry. It is also an opportunity to build up a valuable network of HMs and friends that will assist and offer advice when possible, in the future.”
If you are interested in learning more about the 10th IHMA Congress, the attached social functions, the Partner Programme or Sponsorship and Exhibition Opportunities, check out the website or join us on LinkedIn.
We hope to see you there!
10th IHMA Congress Project Management Team
