ICHCA and IAPH sign Memorandum of Understanding

At the Terminal Operators Conference (TOC 2018) today in Rotterdam, ICHCA International, the global NGO and membership association for cargo handling operations, technical, HSSE and risk professionals has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) to pursue cooperative projects of mutual interest. This includes the sharing of the research and findings of ICHCA’s Technical Panel (ITP) with the IAPH membership through its own working groups.

The ICHCA Technical Panel has recently launched four new working groups on Dangerous Goods, Digital & Innovation, Straddle Carrier Safety and Dry Bulk Cargoes. The four new working groups were established following consultation with the ITP’s 80+ members who represent cross-sectoral private and public-sector experience from the worlds of shipping, ports and terminals, logistics, inland transport, insurance and finance, equipment and technology.
The MOU will enable the working groups to share their initial findings with IAPH’s technical committees and working groups with common interests, all of whom have port representatives. These will then be disseminated amongst IAPH’s core membership who are public port authorities, private port operators and government agencies responsible for ports. Surveys conducted in the past years show that all IAPH member ports combined handle over 60% of the world sea-borne trade in metric tonnes and over 80% of world container traffic in TEU.
ICHCA Deputy Chairman Laurence Jones commented :
"ICHCA and IAPH have worked together for many years and this MoU formalises that relationship. We look forward to working more closely together to improve safety and efficiency in the port and terminal industry."
The fast track route to testing and implementing innovations
In a major boost to the IAPH’s recently-launched World Ports Sustainability Program (WPSP), the agreement effectively ensures a shorter route for testing and implementation of sustainable innovations by key equipment, technology, cargo handling and financial services providers into the world’s major ports. Guided by the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the program wants to enhance and coordinate future sustainability efforts of ports worldwide and foster international cooperation with partners in the supply chain.
IAPH Managing Director and WPSP Coordinator Patrick Verhoeven concluded:
With most of the IAPH members being landlord port authorities, this MoU valorises the valuable experience and know-how of cargo handling companies in our joint ambition to demonstrate global leadership of port communities in achieving sustainable development. We also look forward to working closely with ICHCA in strengthening the voice of ports in global fora such as the IMO.”