The IAPH World Ports Conference is a biennial event for the world ports to meet, exchange opinions and share experiences on the latest trends in port management and operations.

The central theme for the 2009 conference will reflect the need for the global ports industry to work openly with customers, suppliers and other stakeholders to address the challenges and opportunities facing ports as critical segments in international logistics chains, both today and in the future.

Some of the most important challenges facing our industry today extend well beyond the boundaries of the port and also impact many other actors across the maritime transport chain, as well as the urban communities alongside which so many ports co-exist.

The ports industry needs an excellent partnership with providers of key services â€" including finance, port design, operating expertise and technology â€" to address the crucial internal issues of infrastructure funding and optimised capacity.