KARACHI, Feb 10: Some 19 international speakers representing 10 countries will be gathering to present papers on issues affecting the global maritime industry at the ‘7th IAPH Asia Oceania Regional Conference’ scheduled for Feb 14.

This is the first time that a conference of such magnitude is being held in Karachi. The two-day conference is being hosted by the Karachi Port Trust (KPT).

The 7th Asia Oceania Regional Meeting and Forum under the umbrella of the International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH) will focus on issues like building more deep draught terminals in the wake of rising demand from shipping lines to move containerized cargo through ships of mega sizes.

The forum will take a close look on the impact of liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals on port authorities along with other compelling issues like developments of cargo villages, hinterland connectivity.

The conference will also have discussions on the development of high tech interactive web application to foster enhancements in port services and would conclude after formalization of port development strategies.

The IAPH, often referred to as the World Ports Association, provides a platform to the global port community to collect, analyse, exchange and distribute information on developing trends in international trade, transportation, ports and the regulations of the industry.

The IAPH comprises some 230 regular members leading ports in 90 countries and economies, who are public port authorities, private port operators and government agencies.—PPI