SHENZHEN OCTOBER 2011

INAUGURAL WORLD PORT STRATEGY FORUM CONCLUDES

The World Port Strategy Forum (WPSF) is the annual general meeting of the Port Authority members of the Global Institute of Logistics and takes place each October in the Shenzhen.The Forum provides members of the Institute from across the world to network and to hear a detailed report on the activities of the Institute for the previous 12 months.

THE PORTS OF ZEEBRUGGE, SHENZHEN and VIRGINIA AGREE TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR 2011 -2012 RESEARCH PROGRAM IN TO COLLABORATION BETWEEN MULTIPLE PORTS AND ITS POTENTIAL BENEFITS TO PORTS AND END USERS.

The 2011 forum established that port authority “Thought Leaders” no longer see their role as been of just that of a landlord, now viewing themselves as “Economic Strategists” on behalf of the port community and the wider economic region. Port Authority CEO’s now focus on the quality of service the shipping line’s customer, the beneficial cargo owners and non vessel operating companies receive from the port and its stakeholders as a whole. They believe that by focussing on overall service level quality by the port community as a whole increase throughput.
Historically ports were measured on their ability to accommodate ships and other modes of transport effectively and efficiently. Contemporary developments in transportation, however, dictate that emphasis has shifted to the ability of ports to fulfil new roles in the logistics era within the context of operating as part of an integrated global supply chain system.

The port is part of a cluster of organizations in which different logistics and transport operators are involved in bringing value to the ports end user, whether it be the shipping line or the beneficial cargo owner.

The role of modern seaports involves integration into the supply chain, and fulfilling this role means greater ability of the port to satisfy customers and achieve its objectives. In this role, the port is considered as part of a cluster of organizations in which different logistics and transport operators are involved in bringing value to the final consumers. In order to be successful, such channels need to achieve a higher degree of coordination and cooperation. The determination of the parameters that encompass the extent of integration of ports/terminals in global supply chains has, therefore, become of great importance for ports. This demand has led to what is termed “Port Centric Logistics”
The 2011 forum agreed the need for the Institute to research the case for formal cooperation between port authorities and the potential to develop a “Chain Port” model. The ports of Shenzhen, Zeebrugge and Virginia, who are already sister ports agreed to participate formally in the research program.
The 2012 forum will hear the preliminary outcomes from the research.
About The World Port Strategy Forum
The World Port Strategy Forum (WPSF) is the annual general meeting of the Port Authority members of the Global Institute of Logistics and takes place each October in the Shenzhen.The Forum provides members of the Institute from across the world to network and to hear a detailed report on the activities of the Institute for the previous 12 months. In particular it is an opportunity to hear first hand presentations from thought leaders who have been identified by the Institute to share their experiences in that particular aspect of Port strategy.The Forum sets the agenda for the following years research program which in turn informs the activities of the Institute over the following year.
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