Bangkok, Thailand

3-4 April 2019

Organised by the United Nation’s Economic & Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) the abovementioned workshop involved discussions by experts from the World Bank, APEC and ASEAN on ways to enhance port productivity. It included official representatives from countries in the region including Malaysia and featured speakers from IMO Secretariat, Mekong Institute, Zhejiang University, Korea Maritime Institute, and MIMA. 

Participants during the workshop

MIMA representative’s topic on ASEAN’s Perspective on Sustainable Port Development and Improving Port Productivity provided a global perspective of ports and shipping which account for 90 percent of transported goods and 3 percent of total global CO2-emissions. The presentation highlighted some sustainable development issues of ports and shipping in the region, tracking of port performance, challenges in digitalisation and commitment to reduced greenhouse gas emissions, protecting the marine environment and life below water. It was also proposed that ASEAN ports use UNCTAD’s Port Performance Scorecard as measurement for port productivity as it has operational, financial and environmental indicators.

Cdr Ang presenting at the workshop

ESCAP member countries also shared good practices and the way forward for sustainable port development and improving port productivity by covering areas such as port infrastructure, financing, and automation in line with the theme of this workshop. MIMA express its appreciation to UNESCAP for the opportunity to share its views on maritime transport with ESCAP member countries and will continue to contribute to similar regional community issues.

Workshop participants