Tenth INAP Subic Bay Conference and Exhibit

Report from the INAP Chairman

As the new chairman, I am pleased and honored to report to all our Member Ports that our 10th INAP 2008 Subic Bay Conference and Exhibit last October 28-29, 2008 here in Subic Bay, Philippines was a complete success, thanks to the superb participation of our INAP officials and staff.

More than 200 guests attended the affair with the biggest delegation coming from the Kochi Port Authority, Japan (28), Cebu Port Authority, Philippines (15), and Mokpo Newport, Korea (10). Top executives from Port of Tanjung Perak, Indonesia and Port of Subic Bay accounted for the remaining delegates and guests.

The General Assembly, which was held on the first day of the Conference (October 28, 2008), formalized the turn-over of the INAP chairmanship from the Port of Kochi, Japan to the Port of Subic Bay, Philippines and approved the designation of Mokpo Newport, Korea as the INAP Host for 2009. Business presentations and discussions were simultaneously held in an adjoining conference hall.

A cruise in the late afternoon of the same day took the delegates around Subic Bay, followed by a technical site visit to the facilities of Wartsila Land Sea Academy.

The said Academy is a locator in Subic Bay Freeport that provides certified maritime training in all aspects of ship handling and engineering. It offers around 70 different maritime courses, including simulator training courses as part of a planned program.

The plenary reports were delivered by all participating member ports on the second day, October 29, 2008, highlighting the increasing productivity of each port and focusing on the conference theme, “Emerging Roles for Asian Ports.”.

During the panel discussion, two proposals were brought up, namely: a possible exchange of manpower among member ports and an incentive system that would exempt INAP members from port dues. It was then agreed that sub-committees would be created to establish the details of these proposals.

As the new INAP chairman, I have volunteered to initiate the creation of the said sub-committees and will inform you accordingly as to when and how we can start this project.

In the afternoon of the same day, most of the delegates were brought to Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga province for a technical briefing and tour of the facility.

The Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA), formerly Clark Airfield, is located in this Zone. Its twin runways are the widest and longest in Asia-built by the Americans as alternate landing site for their space shuttle.

Capping this year’s INAP conference was a farewell dinner, a fitting and happy closing to another productive INAP gathering.

As early as now, I keenly look forward to seeing you all in Mokpo, Korea next year.

Till then, fair winds!

COMMO. FELICIANO G. SALONGA, PCGA
SBMA Chairman and Head of Agency/
Chairman, INAP 2008 Conference