The Port of Los Angeles and the Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding paving the way for increased cooperation and partnership.
The two ports have agreed to share strategies and best practices on topics ranging from port infrastructure, environmental and security challenges, and strategies to enhance trade competitiveness.
The five-year agreement was signed at the International Exhibition for Logistics, Mobility, IT and Supply Chain Management conference in Munich.
“We have been fortunate to have a close collaborative relationship with the Hamburg Port Authority,” said Port Executive Director Geraldine Knatz from the International Exhibition. “This agreement formalizes and expands our partnership and I expect it to be beneficial to both ports in the years ahead.”
“I am delighted to have the Port of Los Angeles as a partner with whom we can share experiences and discuss, on equal footing, subjects of interest and concern,” said Jens Meier, Managing Director of the Hamburg Port Authority. “It is always a good thing to look over the rim of your tea cup and benefit from a mutual exchange of views.”
The collaborative agreement could potentially benefit U.S. and international maritime and environmental companies from the transport and logistics industry as the two leading sea ports share best practices with respect to equipment and new technologies.
Prior to signing this MOU, the Port of Los Angeles hosted the International Association of Ports and Harbors’ (IAPH) 28th World Ports Conference in LA. Hamburg will be the host port in 2015, when the biennial event is next staged.
As reported here, the delegates discussed policy positions on issues that range from combatting maritime piracy and strengthening passenger safety protocols, to setting safety regulations for how ports handle liquefied natural gas (LNG) as both a cargo and a fuel for vessels.