IAPH President Jens Meier Leads Maritime Delegation to Chennai and Kamarajar Ports to Strengthen Global Port Collaboration
Jens Meier, President of the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) and CEO of the Hamburg Port Authority (HPA), led delegations representing both organizations on an official visit to Chennai Port Authority and Kamarajar Port in India in late February.
During the visit to Chennai Port, the delegation participated in an extensive port tour that included a briefing at the port’s signal station and a vessel ride within the port basin to observe marine operations, port navigation systems, and harbor management practices. The tour provided delegates with first-hand insights into operational procedures and maritime safety systems at one of India’s key container and cargo ports.
The delegation also visited DP World and PSA Container Terminal facilities at the port, where they reviewed container handling operations, port infrastructure, logistics capabilities, and digital port management systems used to support global shipping and maritime trade.
The discussions included special addresses by Jens Meier, S. Viswanathan, Chair of Chennai Port Authority, and Ennarasu Karunesan, IAPH Regional Development Director for South Asia, highlighting opportunities for international port cooperation, maritime innovation, and sustainable port development.
At Kamarajar Port, the delegation held meetings with senior port leadership focusing on green port initiatives, maritime decarbonization strategies, digital transformation, and smart port technologies designed to improve operational efficiency and environmental performance.
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Irene Cynthia, Managing Director of Kamarajar Port, noted that the visit demonstrated the port’s commitment to sustainability, operational excellence, and stronger international maritime partnerships.
The visit concluded with both sides reaffirming their commitment to strengthening global port collaboration under the IAPH framework and advancing a future-ready maritime ecosystem aligned with international sustainability and decarbonization goals.
