The International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) reported record attendance at its 2026 Technical Committee Days, hosted at the Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre. The three-day program, held 22–24 April, opened with remarks by Shri Vijay Kumar, IAS, secretary of India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. Delegations traveled from across the globe, with notable participation from India, West and Central Africa, and Australia. The turnout underscored sustained momentum behind the association’s technical agenda and reflected growing interest in practical, peer-driven solutions to common port challenges.
Global participation and session highlights
The opening plenary set the tone by examining results from the 2026 IAPH World Ports Tracker and introducing the concept of an IAPH mentoring scheme. The discussion framed current operating conditions for ports and terminals while outlining how structured peer support could accelerate the exchange of operational know-how. Participants emphasized the value of systematic benchmarking to inform decision-making and the potential of mentoring to connect experienced port professionals with counterparts seeking guidance on implementation, from data practices to resilience planning.
Following the plenary, a series of parallel thematic sessions drew strong attendance and visible engagement. Organizers reported increased interactivity, with more questions from the floor and deeper exchanges among panelists and delegates. Sponsorship from Wärtsilä supported sessions in the Data Collaboration / Risk & Resilience stream, which focused on how ports can strengthen information sharing and build preparedness for disruptions. The combination of technical content and practical case discussion encouraged participants to compare approaches and identify areas for coordinated follow-up.
To consolidate outcomes, IAPH confirmed that a comprehensive summary document covering all sessions will be made available in the IAPH Members Area. The report is expected to capture key takeaways, emerging practices, and points for further work by technical committees. By centralizing session outputs, IAPH aims to help members translate conference dialogue into reference material for ongoing projects, while providing a record of recommendations that committees can revisit as they plan future work programs and collaborative initiatives.
Networking remained a core feature of the program. Evening receptions at the Fullerton Bay and Conrad Singapore Marina Bay hotels offered informal settings for delegates to continue discussions initiated in the conference rooms. The venues showcased Singapore while facilitating cross-regional introductions between port executives, technical specialists, and solution providers. Outside the committee day schedule, many participants also met business contacts exhibiting during Singapore Maritime Week, using the proximity of events to align meetings and explore partnership opportunities.
IAPH highlighted that delegates can view extensive photos documenting the first day’s plenary and breakout sessions, as well as coverage of networking at the conference center and the evening reception, on the association’s dedicated Flickr page. The visual record provides an overview of the breadth of participation and the range of topics addressed, offering members who could not attend an accessible snapshot of proceedings. It also serves as a reference point for committees as they communicate outcomes to their home organizations.
Across the program, the emphasis on interactivity and collaboration reflected a practical orientation: enabling ports to compare experiences, identify transferable practices, and convene the right expertise around shared priorities. With diverse delegations present and session outputs set to be consolidated, the 2026 Technical Committee Days reinforced IAPH’s role as a convening platform for the global port community. The combination of technical dialogue, structured follow-up, and targeted networking provided participants with clear pathways to maintain momentum beyond Singapore and continue work through committee channels and member-to-member exchanges.
