The first GreenPort Congress to be held in the Southern Hemisphere took place last week in the Australian east coast city of Newcastle. Delegates heard from a range of presenters on topics including renewable energy, climate change risks, the role of communities and sustainability in cruise shipping. IAPH vice-president for Southeast Asia and Oceania, Eranda Kotelawela (CEO Solomon Islands Port Authority), joined the opening panel session, which canvassed views from port operators, shipping lines and freight forwarders, including insights from small island developing states. While there was discussion around innovation, collaboration and drivers for sustainable action, one issue that loomed was uncertainty around what a sustainable future will look like for shipping and ports. During the discussion, Eranda emphasised the need for support in the Pacific region, where around 80% of infrastructure is more than 50-60 years old. Global experience from ports will be useful and also measures to mitigate climate change need investment, he concluded.
