PORT DEVELOPMENT THROUGH COOPERATION - Towards new Synergies

30-31 May 2013 - Varna, Bulgaria

The ESPO Conference heads to the shores of the Black Sea this year. With ‘cooperation’ as overall theme, the conference will discuss ways in which port authorities, operators and stakeholders can foster development and improve performance by working together. Specific issues to be explored include integration of ports in infrastructure corridors, marketing and promotion of port regions as well as intercontinental strategies of port authorities.

Continuing a long-standing tradition, the conference will also devote considerable attention to EU policy developments. If all goes according to schedule, the ESPO 2013 Conference may well be the first industry platform to discuss the European Commission’s new proposals on market access and transparency in ports that are expected to be published in the months to come.

Prior to the conference, a special interest seminar will focus on regional port cooperation in the Black Sea. This will mark the occasion of ESPO’s first event held in the ‘youngest’ region of the EU.

Confirmed speakers already include: Eddy Bruyninckx, CEO Port of Antwerp, Paolo Costa, President Port of Venice, Sylviane Delcuve, Senior Economist BNP Fortis Bank, Alfons Guinier, Secretary General ECSA, Stavros Hatzakos, President MedCruise, Alan Long, Chairman EPCSA, Olena Losevska, Attorney at Law Interlegal Ukraine, Hervé Martel, CEO Port of Le Havre, Stefan Neychev, Chairman Bulgarian Ports Infrastructure Co., Theo Notteboom, Chairman ITMMA, Jean-Eric Paquet, Director DG Move, Isabelle Ryckbost, Director EFIP, Mikhail Sokolov, First Deputy General Manager Odessa Commercial Sea Port, Dimitrios Theologitis, Head of Unit DG Move, Patrick Uyttendaele, Director MTBS, Eero Vanaale, Consultant Drewry, Larissa van der Lugt, Erasmus University Rotterdam and Eric Van Hooydonk, Chairman Portius.

An exciting programme, genuine Bulgarian hospitality and a five-star venue in a prime seaside resort will make the ESPO 2013 Conference a truly unforgettable event.

The ESPO 2013 Conference is organised in
cooperation with Bulgarian Ports Infrastructure Company.