The role of Ports in bridging the gap between the interests of urban and business communities

The Congress will provide decision makers with a meeting place to both learn about and discuss the latest in sustainable environmental practice that will enable them to reduce their port’s carbon footprint and to be more sensitive to environmental considerations, which is vital to their future success.

 Held on the 14th-15th September 2011, at the Hotel Atlantic Kempinski, Hamburg, Germany, the Conference will be hosted by the Hamburg Port Authority and supported by ESPO, EFIP, ECOPORTS and the European Shippers Council and will bring together decision makers from across the industry, academia and policy-making. Delegates will be able to network at the Welcome Reception on the 13th September and will also enjoy a Gala Dinner on the 14th September. The Congress will end with a tour of Hamburg Port on the 16th September.

 Entitled, ‘The role of ports in bridging the gap between the interests of urban and business communities’, the emphasis of the two day Congress will be on highlighting innovation in equipment and technology whilst illustrating practical solutions through case studies. The opening session will feature speakers from the Directorate General for Mobility and Transport (DG Move), European Commission; the German State Minister for Economy, Traffic and Innovation, the Chairman of the Management Board of Hamburg Port Authority and the Chairman of ESPO.

 With a packed two-day programme, not only will the 6th GreenPort Congress be an excellent opportunity to learn about and discuss the challenges and opportunities of developing good practice and sustainable solutions but, with delegates from the following ports, port authorities, shipping lines and terminal operators already confirming their attendance, a place at the Congress will also offer great networking opportunities: APM Terminals, Amsterdam, Antwerp, Barcelona, Bremenports, Brunsbuttel, Copenhagen Malmo, Cork, Dublin, Dunkirk, Eurogate, Felixstowe, Finnish Ports Authority, Genoa, Ghent, Gothenburg, Hamburg, Israel Ports Co, Jakarta, Le Havre, Luanda, Luka Koper, Maersk Line, Moerdijk, Norwegian Ports Authority, Peterhead, Queensland, Rotterdam, Stockholm, Tallinn, Turku, Zeebrugge.

 The sessions at the Congress will be:

- Defining the 'Green Port' concept

- The Green Port and the Business Community

- The Green Port and the City: Managing environmental externalities

- The Green Port and the City: Community relations management

- The Green Port and the City: Adapting ports to climate change

- Port development and nature protection

- Technical innovations and manufacturers' updates on latest products

- The greening of ports and the logistics chain

- Closing Session Debate: GHG Emissions from shipping

 Delegates at GreenPort Cruise and GreenPort Congress will be invited to attend the Welcome Reception which will be hosted by Hamburg Port Authority. The Reception will take place on the eve of the Congress, 13th September 2011, from 19.30 and will be the first of many opportunities for participants to network with the many international professionals from across the sector that will be in attendance. The City Hall, which is the sixth in Hamburg's history, is an impressive and eclectic building, which was built in 1897. Located south of the Binnenalster, the City Hall is home to the senate (State government) and the Hamburg Parliament.

 Hosted by Hamburg Port Authority, the Gala Dinner will be held at the Fischauktionshalle on the evening of the first day of the Congress, the 14th September 2011. The Fischauktionshalle is described as having an industrial appearance with rustic charm. In 1896, Emperor Wilhem II inaugurated the hall, a building built in a roman basilica style and red brick walls, which carry a roof of iron and glass. Formerly the local fishermen sold their catch here, today you can celebrate your event in this historical hall, in the heart of Hamburg and the harbour. The evening will start with a drinks reception and will be followed by a three course sit down meal. During the reception and breaks between the courses entertainment will be provided by a Saxophone Group.

 Following two days of presentations, discussion and networking, delegates at the Congress will have the opportunity to take a guided tour of the Port of Hamburg. During the tour, participants will learn how Hamburg’s Port is organised and managed and who is involved in the landlord-port system. The tour guide will give a brief overview of the history of the harbour and outline its economical importance for the city and the surrounding regions. Participants will also get an idea of the port’s pivotal role in the global movement of goods illustrated by the example of various transport carriers, which they will pass by on the tour.