Kenya: Stakeholders in the global shipping and maritime industry have urged to accelerate efforts to develop smarter, greener and more sustainable ports as technological advances and shifting global trade patterns to reshape the sector.
The call was made at the opening of the Permanent International Association of Navigation Congresses (PIANC) conference in Brisbane, Australia. There gathered, maritime leaders, infrastructure experts and industry stakeholders to discuss the future of port development and maritime infrastructure.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) – Capt. William Ruto led the Kenyan delegation at the conference. The delegation includes General Manager for Engineering Services – Eng. Julius Tai; General Manager for Corporate Services – Edward Kamau; and Marketing Manager – Miriam Mwakundia.
Reportedly, the forum provides an important platform for industry stakeholders to exchange knowledge, examine emerging trends and identify practical solutions to challenges that are facing global shipping and maritime sector.
For KPA, participation in the conference provides an opportunity to benchmark Kenya’s port development against international best practices while gaining insights into innovative approaches to infrastructure planning, sustainability and operational efficiency. It also offers an avenue for strengthening professional networks and enhancing collaboration with maritime institutions and industry leaders from across the world.
The conference is being held under the theme “Connecting and Sharing among Oceania and Asia-Pacific Neighbours.” It is examining a range of issues that are affecting the future of ports and maritime connectivity. Key areas of discussion include pilotage, future port capacity planning, mobile power systems, nature-positive infrastructure and resilient port development.
President of PIANC – Francisco Esteban Lefler, spoke during the official opening and emphasised the importance of greater cooperation among maritime stakeholders as the industry navigates an increasingly complex and rapidly changing environment.
He called on stakeholders to work collectively to develop solutions for emerging challenges while promoting the exchange of knowledge, innovation and talent across the sector.
The conference sessions are also focusing on how ports can better anticipate future demand by enhancing operational efficiency and adopting data-driven approaches when making infrastructure investment decisions. Such discussions are becoming increasingly important as ports face growing pressure to accommodate expanding trade while addressing environmental and climate-related challenges.
The discussions hold particular significance for Kenya as the country continues to advance the transformation of the Port of Mombasa into a modern, efficient and sustainable regional maritime gateway.
They are putting more emphasis on capacity expansion, technological innovation, resilience and environmental sustainability that aligns with Kenya’s broader economic development ambitions and the growing importance of the maritime sector to regional trade.
Participation of KPA in the Brisbane conference provides an opportunity to draw from international experience and explore approaches that can support the continued modernisation of Kenya’s maritime infrastructure, by ensuring that port development keeps pace with regional trade demands while contributing to long-term economic growth.