Chennai Port Authority (ChPA) hosted a high-level delegation from Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) last week as part of an official engagement programme aimed at strengthening international cooperation and knowledge exchange in port development and operations. The delegation was led by Mr Jens Meier, President of International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH), and CEO, Hamburg Port Authority, and included senior representatives from the Port of Hamburg ecosystem spanning terminal operations, logistics, consulting, cruise, digital identity/access systems and academia, according to a release.
The visit commenced with a Chennai Port tour, including a briefing at the Signal Station, a vessel tour in the Port Basin, and site visits to two of the international container terminals operated by DP World and PSA, followed by an interaction session at Chennai Port Authority. The formal session was chaired by Mr S. Viswanathan, IAS, Chairperson, Chennai Port Authority, and co-chaired by Mr Jens Meier. It included key addresses and presentations, by Dr Ennarasu Karunesan, Regional Director – South Asia, IAPH, a presentation on Chennai Port Authority, screening of port & CSR film, and a presentation by Mr Meier.
During the discussions, both sides exchanged perspectives on sustainable development of the port and its surrounding region, future-ready and resilient infrastructure, and digital transformation, including the growing role of AI-enabled port systems and pilot programmes such as Digital Twin for planning and operational optimisation. ChPA shared its ongoing initiatives covering electrification of port equipment and transition to renewable energy sources, shore power supply to EXIM vessels in a phased manner and green fleet transition beginning with Green Tug, along with major infrastructure priorities such as internal road expansion works, Outer Harbour project, cruise terminal expansion and modernisation, and gate automation. Given the limited land resource available, Chennai Port highlighted its vertical expansion solutions, such as multi-level car parking, road overbridges, flyovers, high-density stacking of containers at the Mega Outer Harbour Terminal, etc.
The interaction also covered strengthening institutional cooperation through IAPH and exploring structured collaboration avenues in areas such as innovation, best-practice exchange, capability building and port-led regional sustainability initiatives.
Chennai Port is a member of IAPH and the first Indian port to win the IAPH Sustainability Award at the World Port Conference held in Hamburg, Germany, in 2024, the release highlighted.
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