South Africa is set to host the second African Harbour Masters’ Committee (AHMC) Conference from 2-4 April in Cape Town.
The conference, under the theme Navigating the Future: Sustainable Port Management in Africa, will see approximately 200 industry leaders, including harbour masters, government officials and maritime professionals from at least 20 countries, descend on the city.
Critical to the discourse during the event will be discussions on strategies to improve port performance and operations, climate change, sustainability, the handling of dangerous cargo within ports and skills development opportunities for maritime professionals.
The AHMC, which is a chapter of the International Harbour Masters' Association, unites African harbour masters to share ideas on the management of all aspects of maritime port operations.
AHMC President, Thulani Dubeko, said, "This engagement platform enables the African Harbour Masters’ Committee to contribute towards advancing the 2050 Africa integrated Maritime Strategy under the African Union, which aims to improve conditions related to environmental and economic development within the African countries.”
He said the committee had grown steadily over the years, with key partners such as the Port Management Association of East and Southern Africa and the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa supporting its work.
Transnet National Ports Authority Chief Executive, Phyllis Difeto, said the ports authority was committed to supporting the work of the AHMC.
"TNPA's commitment to support the work of the Committee goes beyond the platform (of the event). We are dedicated to fostering development and transformation within the maritime sector.
“As captains of industry, we must prioritise facilitating trade, efficiently managing maritime port operation and ensuring safe navigation."
Deputy Minister of Transport, Mkhuleko Hlengwa, is expected to speak at the opening of the conference on 2 April.
Interested parties can register for the conference here.
