20 top ports vow to stay open during pandemic
Twenty leading ports from around the world have vowed to keep their ports open during the ongoing pandemic. The members of the Port Authorities Roundtable (PAR) from Asia, Europe, Middle East and North America will collaborate and share best practices in ensuring that port operations can remain undisrupted.
Quah Ley Hoon, chief executive of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), said, “As the world battles with the Covid-19 pandemic, it has never been more critical to keep our ports open and goods moving. Shipping is chartering into many unknowns and new challenges. Port authorities have to take enhanced precautions for their ports and on ships, as well as manage the stress faced by our seafarers and maritime personnel. We have come together to make a declaration of our commitment, exchange experiences and share best practices. This virtual declaration by members countries across different geographical regions is also a first for the PAR. We came out of the session gaining more valuable knowledge to ensure that necessities and essential medical supplies continue to be transported seamlessly across the world and into our respective countries.”
The 20 ports to have signed the declraration are Abu Dhabi, Antwerp, Bangkok, Barcelona, Busan, Guangzhou, Hamburg, Klang, Kobe, Le Havre, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Montreal, Ningbo, Rotterdam, Seattle, Shanghai, Singapore, Tokyo and Yokohama.