Chennai Port Authority (ChPA) and Kamarajar Port Limited (KPL) hosted a three-day knowledge exchange program from 21 to 23 October, bringing together senior leadership teams from six major Japanese ports and representatives from two universities. The event, described by organizers as successful, marked an important milestone in India–Japan maritime cooperation. The program also included discussions with container terminal operators DP World and PSA, creating additional avenues for engagement with frontline port operations.
The initiative was launched by IAPH vice president for Asia South / West, East & Middle East, Ichio Motono, who also serves as senior executive director at Yokohama Port Corporation. A 15-member visiting delegation was led by IAPH secretary general Masahiko Furuichi and included Sanada Hitoshi, president of North Japan Port Consultants, as well as IAPH regional representative for India Ennarasu Karunesan. Senior teams from the Japanese ports of Tomakomai, Osaka, Kobe, Tokyo, Yokohama, and Nagoya participated alongside faculty from Kyoto University and Kanagawa University.
Focus on decarbonisation, digitalisation, and resilience
The knowledge-exchange program focused on decarbonisation, climate and energy, digitalisation, and risk and resilience. According to the organizers, these themes framed the agenda for discussions among port authorities, terminal operators, and academic experts, reflecting shared priorities across the participating Indian and Japanese institutions. The emphasis aligned with efforts to confront environmental pressures, operational challenges, and the need for robust technological adoption in port ecosystems.
The event brought together leadership from Tomakomai, Osaka, Kobe, Tokyo, Yokohama, and Nagoya with counterparts at ChPA and KPL, facilitating exchanges on governance and practice. Participation by Kyoto University and Kanagawa University added an academic dimension, while discussions with DP World and PSA connected policy-level priorities with terminal perspectives. Organizers highlighted the value of convening decision-makers from multiple domains to surface approaches relevant to day-to-day operations and long-term planning.
The program was inaugurated by Sunil Paliwal, chairman of ChPA, KPL and the Indian Ports Authority, who emphasized the importance of global collaboration in driving India’s maritime growth. His remarks underscored the intention behind the three-day schedule: to build mutual understanding through structured exchanges focused on climate and energy, technology, and preparedness for disruption.
The 15-member Japanese delegation was led by IAPH secretary general Masahiko Furuichi. Among the participants were Sanada Hitoshi, president of North Japan Port Consultants, and Ennarasu Karunesan, IAPH regional representative for India. The initiative itself was credited to Ichio Motono in his capacity as IAPH vice president for Asia South / West, East & Middle East, reflecting the association’s role in convening members for targeted collaboration. The involvement of the Yokohama Port Corporation through Motono’s leadership linked association priorities to port-level execution.
By drawing together senior leaders from the six Japanese ports and Indian hosts, the program created a forum to compare experiences under common pressures: decarbonising operations, managing climate and energy imperatives, deploying digital solutions, and strengthening risk management. While the organizers did not publicize specific commitments, the gathering was characterized as a significant step in India–Japan maritime cooperation, with exchanges intended to inform future work by port authorities, terminal operators, and academic institutions engaged in the sector.
