PEMSEA Leads Sustainable Port Development for ASEAN Region

 

The project on ASEAN – German Technical Cooperation Sustainable Port Development (SPD) was launched to improve the quality and efficiency of safety, health and environmental (SHE) management of ports in the ASEAN Region. In 2010, PEMSEA signed a Letter of Cooperation with GIZ (German International Cooperation) to jointly assist participating ports.

 

 

Through the project, the participating ports in the region have enhanced the port safety, health and environmental management system and organizational structure  through the guidance provided by GIZ and PEMSEA in collaboration with the ASEAN Ports Association (APA) Secretariat and national partners from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. PEMSEA has worked with port authority centers in the region to provide training on SPD along with port safety, health and environmental management (PSHEM) in accordance with the provisions of PEMSEA’s PSHEM Code.

 

The formation of a Regional Training Network for Sustainable Port Development in the ASEAN Region was one of the key outcomes of the project. The scope and vision of this network is to (1) expand the capacities of ports; (2) develop sustainable practices on the ecological, economic and social aspects of ports; (3) sustain port learning; and (4) continue improvement of all ports.

 

Members of the network include the Philippine Ports Authority Training Institute (PPATI); Northport International Center for Excellence (NICE), Malaysia; Cambodia Maritime Institute; Sabah Ports Training Center, Malaysia; Myanmar Port Authority Training Center; Port Authority of Thailand Training Center; and Vietnam Maritime College.

 

With the conclusion of the ASEAN – German Technical Cooperation Sustainable Port Development in the ASEAN Region project in June 2016, PEMSEA now takes the lead in overseeing the operations, activities and sustainability of the Regional Training Network for Sustainable Port Development in the ASEAN Region. As the first major event following this transition, the 2nd Meeting of the Regional Training Network for Sustainable Port Development in the ASEAN Region was held on September 27, 2016 in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, hosted by Northport Bhd.

 

Key discussions during the meeting included improvement of the trainer qualification process and sustainability of the network’s operations through the commitment and financial support of port authorities and institutions. Plans and ongoing activities for improvement of the network’s on-line presence were addressed, including optimization of its website. Development of a qualification process for port workers to improve the safety, health and environmental control of the ports was also discussed. The meeting also agreed to the expression of intention of Johor Port Skills Centre, Malaysia to join the network.

 

Dr. Marjorie R. Rola, head of Philippine Port Authority Training Institute and head of the secretariat of the Regional Training Network for Sustainable Port Development in the ASEAN Region expressed her confidence in the growth of the network beyond 2016. With PEMSEA taking the lead, the network will experience continued cooperation amongst its members and achieve greener and safer ports in SE Asia.