The 1st Incheon International Maritime Forum Opens on the 19th... Theme: 'The Beginning of the Maritime Industry in the New Normal Era'

Incheon Port New International Passenger Terminal Photo by Incheon Port Authority

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] The '1st Incheon International Ocean Forum (IIOF 2020),' where domestic and international marine and port experts gather to explore future strategies for the marine industry, will be held on the 19th and 20th at Songdo Convensia in Incheon.

Co-hosted by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and Incheon City, and organized by the Incheon Port Authority, this forum will bring together leading scholars, experts, and business representatives in the marine sector from home and abroad to share the latest technologies and trends in the marine industry and to foster business networking.

The opening keynote speakers include Tan Chong Meng, CEO of PSA International, the world's largest port operator, who will discuss "Sustainable Port Operation Know-how and Strategic Measures Applying Digital Technology Amid Global Pandemic and Environmental Changes," and Detlev Blecher, Head of Asia-Pacific at Maersk, the world's No. 1 shipping company, who will participate via a special online video on "Building a Resilient Global Supply Chain through Digitalization."

The forum is themed "A New Beginning for the Marine Industry in the New Normal Era" and consists of four regular sessions?'Shipping, Ports, and Cities,' 'Smart Ocean,' 'Marine Environment,' and 'Marine Tourism'?as well as a special session on 'Inter-Korean Logistics.'

On the opening day, the 'Shipping, Ports, and Cities' session will address two topics: 'Ports and Cities' and 'Changes in the Shipping, Port, and Fisheries Industries,' aiming to build a cooperative network for mutual growth among domestic and international marine cities centered on Incheon.

On the morning of the 20th, the special 'Inter-Korean Logistics' session will feature Joschka Fischer, former German Vice Chancellor and Foreign Minister, sharing his experiences on the logistics cooperation process that achieved peaceful reunification in Germany through a pre-recorded online presentation.

In the afternoon, the 'Smart Ocean' session will discuss the role of the sea in the new era. Historically, the sea served primarily as a source of food, clothing, and shelter resources and as a passage connecting continents. However, recently, the sea has been integrated with the Fourth Industrial Revolution, attracting attention as a future value with infinite possibilities, including convergence with various emerging industries.

The 'Marine Tourism' session will focus on building a future-oriented marine tourism ecosystem centered on the cruise industry in the post-COVID-19 era.

At this forum, experiences and know-how from port administrative bodies such as the LA Long Beach Harbor Department, PSA Korea, and Rotterdam Port Authority will be shared. Participants will also hear proposals from various domestic and international cooperative organizations and institutions, including the International Chamber of Shipping, International Association of Ports and Harbors, Korea Shipowners' Association, Alphaliner Research Center, WTI (Waterborne Transport Research Institute), Shanghai International Cruise Economy Research Center, UNEP NOWPAP, UN-ESCAP Northeast Asia Office, and Korea Maritime Institute.

Moreover, companies leading the domestic port industry centered in Incheon, such as Seongwang Shin Container Terminal, Segwang Comprehensive Technology Group, Namseong Holdings, Quber, and Lotte Tour Development, as well as academia including universities, will participate, promising even more diverse discussions.

Considering the spread of COVID-19, this forum will be conducted in a hybrid format combining online and offline elements, unlike the traditional offline-only forums.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.