Ensuring ports run smoothly

That is the key takeaway when the directors from the Ibero-American Association of Chambers of Commerce (AICO) met in Portugal to discuss a wide range of issues such as the Iberian Peninsula as a platform for business development in Europe, the energy crisis and the current economic situation and prospects for Ibero-America.

During a panel entitled ‘Maritime Ports: Connections between Europe, Ibero-America, and Africa’, industry experts highlighted three key points.

The first emphasised the importance of collaboration to increase operational efficiency. Gerardo Landaluce, president of the Port Authority of the Bay of Algeciras, highlighted Algeciras’s position as the leading European container port in terms of competitiveness, according to the recent Container Port Performance Index, thanks to the port’s efforts in innovation and digitalisation, including tools such as Port Collaborative Decision Making.

Next, Jorge Almeida, president of the 4Shipping Association, emphasised the benefits of public-private partnerships regarding the state’s investment in the Port of Sines.

Lastly, Miguel Montesinos, chief executive of Prodevelop, emphasised the significance of digitalisation for collaboration among different stakeholders, aiming for sustained long-term growth. He underlined the benefits offered by the use of port community systems and tools such as Port CDM.