Barcelona, ​​June 8th 2023

The fifth edition of the MEDports Forum was organized by the MEDports Association together with ASCAME in the framework of the 25th anniversary of SIL Barcelona in Barcelona, ​​Spain , on 8th of June, 2023 . This year, the theme of discussion focused on, Ports as Nodal Points in the Maritime Sector . [ /vc_column_text]
MEDports Forum was organized by the MEDports Association together with ASCAME in the framework of the 25th anniversary of SIL Barcelona in Barcelona, ​​Spain, on 8th of June, 2023 . This year, the theme of discussion focused on, Ports as Nodal Points in the Maritime Sector . [/vc_column_text]

Opening session

The forum officially started with the welcome speeches. First, with the president of the MEDPorts Association Pino Musolino , President of  Autorità di Sistema Portuale del Mar Tirreno Centro Settentrionale – Porti di Roma e del Lazio, Lluís Salvadó , President of  Port de Barcelona, ​​Kamel Al-Wazir, Minister of Transport of Egypt, Ahmed El Wakil, President of  ASCAME, Antoni Fito, First Vice-President,  Cambra de Barcelona , ​​Anwar Zibaoui , ASCAME General Coordinator, Pere Navarro Morera , Special Delegate of the state,  Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona and Abdelkader El Khaissasi , Deputy Secretary General,  Union for the Mediterranean . Therefore, international collaboration is a key to make ports respectful of the environment while ensuring competitiveness and economic efficiency.

Session 1

MEDPorts Forum 2023 starts with its first panel discussion moderated by  Jordi Torrent on Ports and Connectivity in the era of disruptions, it is great to hear insights from industry leaders and experts from the south and north MED,

Foued OTHMANOMMP (Office of Merchant Marine and Ports)
Alaa MorsyPort Training Institute, AASTMT
Meriem FARESTanger Med Official account – TMSA
Alberto Palacios CobetaCETMO

Session 2

The afternoon kicked off with the second panel on Sustainable Shipping and the Port Industry in the Mediterranean.

It is insightful to hear from a diverse group of representatives of international institutions, experts in port activities and the main representatives of member ports about the current landscape and potential pathways for a cleaner, more sustainable future for #ports and the innovative approaches being taken in the port industry as our industry strives to be more sustainable.

Pino Musolino, President of The MEDports Association and Autorità di Sistema Portuale del Mar Tirreno Centro Settentrionale – Porti di Roma e del Lazio
Isabelle Ryckbost, Secretary General, ESPO (European Sea Ports Organisation)
Francesc Carbonell, Head of Transport, Union for the Mediterranean
Philippe Guillaumet, International and European Projects Manager, The port of Marseille Fos (on behalf of Mr. Herve Martel, CEO, Grand Port Maritime de Marseille)

Session 3

Last but not least, MEDPorts Forum 2023 third and final fascinating session on Mediterranean Smart Ports, highlighting the opportunities and challenges of digital transformation in this dynamic sector, from the integration of Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain and advanced data analytics, to the impact of digital technologies in port operations and in transforming human capabilities.

Javier Gallardo, President, IPCSA – International Port Community Systems Association
Eduard Rodés, Director, Escola Europea – Intermodal Transport
Jesús Medina Blanco, Chief Information & Innovation Officer, Autoridad Portuaria Bahía de Algeciras – Port of Algeciras
Ana Rumbeu, Training Director, Fundación Valenciaport

We must keep up with the pace of change and be agile in our thinking to accommodate new technologies and find ways to maximize the potential of this new era.

MEDPorts Forum 2024 will take place next year in Malta.