The authorities also acknowledge the recent statement made by International Maritime Organization (IMO), emphasising the importance of minimising the disruption to maritime trade and shipping activities so that vital goods, especially necessities and essential medical supplies, can continue to flow seamlessly across different regions in the world.

As a multilateral platform consisting of leading port authorities across Asia, Middle East, Europe and the Americas, members of the PAR would like to declare a commitment to collaborate closely, through the sharing of best practices and implemented measures, such that the ports remain open to seaborne trade to help sustain the world and support the fight against COVID-19.

It is therefore committed to work together and strive to:

  • Keep global supply chain and trade/cargo going, and that merchant ships can continue to berth at terminals to carry out cargo operations.
  • Facilitate closer coordination by establishing an open communication channel so that like-minded port and maritime authorities can share experiences/exchange information in combating COVID-19 while safeguarding unimpeded maritime trade.
  • Continue to adopt best practices according to national circumstances, including precautionary measures for shipping community, advisories and assistance for shore personnel and ship crew, safe handling of cargoes and measures taken in dealing with COVID-19 cases.

Finally, PAR would also like to express its appreciation to seafarers, harbour pilots, shore-based workers and the maritime community who have worked tirelessly amidst the on-going pandemic in enabling international trade to continue during these challenging times.

Signed by:

Name & DesignationPort Authority

Captain Maktoum Al Houqani; Chief Corporate Authority Officer

Abu Dhabi Ports

Mr Jacques Vandermeiren; CEO

Antwerp Port Authority

Ms Hiromi Furuya; Director General

Bureau of Port and Harbour, Tokyo Metropolitan Government

Mr Ki-chan Nam; President

Busan Port Authority

Mr Chen Hongxian; Director General

Guangzhou Port Authority

Mr Jens Meier; CEO

Hamburg Port Authority

Ms Quah Ley Hoon; Chief Executive

Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore

Sylvie Vachon; CEO

Montreal Port Authority

Mr Xu Qiang; Director General

Ningbo Municipal Port Administration Bureau

Mr Bundit Sakonwisawa; Managing Director

Port Authority of Thailand (Bangkok Port)

Mr Santiago Garcia-Mila; Subdirector General

Port of Barcelona

Mr Hiroya Nakano; Director General

Port and Harbour Bureau, City of Yokohama

Mr Hideyuki Tsuji; Director General

Port and Harbour Bureau, Kobe City Government

Captain K Subramaniam; General Manager

Port of Kiang Authority

Mr Mario Cordero; Executive Director

Port of Long Beach

Mr Eugene D. Seroka; Executive Director

Port of Los Angeles

Mr Allard Castelein; President and CEO

Port of Rotterdam

Mr Peter Steinbrueck; Commission President

Port of Seattle

Mr Xie Feng; Director General

Shanghai Municipal Transportation Commission