SUBIC BAY FREEPORT —Subic will be hosting the general assembly and symposium of the International Network of Affiliated Ports (INAP) this October, ten years after the group arrived in this free port for a meeting. 

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño said the Subic agency is already making plans for the convention after officials from INAP and the Port of Kochi led by Chief Takanori Asai visited Subic to discuss the assembly and symposium.

Aliño said the conference will be anchored on environmental maritime protection and disaster preparedness, adding that these subjects are very timely for discussion among INAP members.

He said the SBMA would also want delegates from sister-ports to see the new facilities and developments in the Port of Subic since INAP members visited here in 2014.

INAP was founded in 1998 to foster cooperation among sister-ports. The alliance was formed to promote cooperation and information exchange among affiliated ports, enhancing the port network, integrating individual affiliates, exchanging information on port development, and strengthening economic and cultural relationships.

INAP members include the Port of Colombo in Sri Lanka, Port of Dangjin and Mokpo New Port in South Korea, Port of Kochi in Japan, Port of Qingdao in China, Port of Tanjung Perak in Indonesia, Port of Chittagong in Bangladesh, and Port of Subic Bay, Port of Cebu, and Port of Davao (Philippine Ports Authority) in the Philippines. 

In view of the forthcoming event, SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator for Operations Ronnie Yambao delegated Deputy Administrator for Port Operations Martin Kristoffer Roman to take the lead in organizing the symposium, which will be held tentatively on October 23 and 24.

More than 200 guests from the maritime industry attended the INAP conference here in 2014. “Hopefully, more guests will arrive to take part in the general assembly in October,” Aliño said. (30)

PHOTO: SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño (left) meets with members of the INAP Secretariat led by Takanori Asai to discuss the INAP General Assembly and Symposium slated in October this year.