Enhancing Resilience in the International Maritime System to Human and Natural Events

Summary of the Discussion Session Content and Duration:

Background: The global maritime transportation system is indispensable to the functionality of the global supply chain, ensuring the continuous flow of essential goods worldwide. However, disruptions caused by large-scale human and natural events pose significant challenges to this system, with implications extending far beyond the directly affected areas. Recent incidents such as the blockage of major maritime routes, including the Suez Canal and the Panama Canal, as well as disruptions stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic and piracy incidents off African coasts, underscore the vulnerability of the maritime commerce infrastructure. In response, governments and organizations worldwide are implementing measures to mitigate future disruptions.

This proposal advocates for a panel session comprising port and maritime leaders to examine current and anticipated challenges and the strategies being pursued to enhance resilience against future disruptions. By fostering collaboration and sharing best practices, this initiative aims to fortify existing port facilities and inform the development of new operational frameworks. Panelists will be identified through PIANC, which is a global organization consisting of specialists from a variety of maritime areas.

Target Audience for the Discussion Session: This panel targets marine terminal operators, policymakers, and decision-makers involved in maritime commerce, offering insights and strategies to enhance resilience and ensure the continuity of global supply chains.

Description of the Benefit of the Discussion Session to Conference Attendees: The panel addresses a critical need for collaborative efforts in safeguarding global maritime operations. By exploring innovative approaches to resilience-building, it contributes to the sustainable advancement of the industry, ensuring the uninterrupted flow of goods amidst evolving challenges.

The complexity and scale of the global supply chain pose formidable challenges to resilience efforts. To address this, the initiative emphasizes the importance of ongoing collaboration and adaptive strategies tailored to diverse geopolitical and climatic contexts.

Recognizing the inadequacy of current approaches, this initiative encourages the exploration of innovative solutions to enhance resilience in maritime operations. By assessing existing strategies and promoting collaboration, it seeks to optimize the efficiency and effectiveness of response mechanisms.