AAPA attacks future risk concerns

While U.S. federal government lawmakers continue to focus on the nation’s budgetary woes, The American Association of Port Authorities is convening a special meeting in San Francisco to examine financial challenges of its own.

Today through Friday, the AAPA will discuss the latest trends and management strategies for port administrators, finance officers, attorneys, and real estate and risk managers.

“Western Hemisphere seaports, which collectively handle some 7.8 billion tons of cargo a year worth about $8.6 trillion, serve as crucial trade gateways and economic engines for the regions and nations they serve, while constantly working to minimize risk in everything from public financing, construction projects and leases, to employee relations,” said Jean Godwin, AAPA’s executive vice president and general counsel. “The association’s Law Review and Risk Management & Safety committees have developed an outstanding program of industry experts and interactive panel discussions that will cover an array of timely legal as well as finance, human resources and administrative issues facing ports today.”

The association’s 2½-day program will address current developments in port contracts and leasing; lease security and certificates of insurance; the Shipping Act and Federal Maritime Commission regulation; port insurance and risk management strategies; a wide range of employment issues; legal ethics, public records, recordkeeping, and electronically-stored information; and minimizing/avoiding liability in port construction projects.

It will also include an in-depth discussion of public financing and the issuance of bonds.

LM has been invited to attend the event, we look forward to sharing our observations.

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