The Port of Savannah to Host International Port Leaders

Savannah, Ga. – April 12, 2010 – The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) will host the 2010 International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) Mid-term Board Meeting June 7 – 9 in Savannah, Ga. The previous biennial meeting was hosted by the Port of Dunkirk in France.

“It is an honor to bring this internationally renowned meeting to Savannah,” said GPA’s Executive Director Curtis J. Foltz. “The Port of Savannah is the fourth largest volume single-terminal containerport in the U.S. and a U.S. South Atlantic gateway for global commerce.”

The three-day board meeting includes technical meetings and port forum sessions, which are open to the community. More than 100 delegates from around the world will attend the event. Port forum sessions will feature presentations from the international maritime community on global trade in terms of the economy, environment and security initiatives. The registration web site for the board meeting is available at www.gaports.com/IAPH.

“It is with great pleasure that, on behalf of IAPH, I am inviting all community members in Savannah to attend the Port Forum Session to be held during the IAPH Mid-term Board Meeting,” said IAPH Secretary Genera Susumu Naruse. “The Port Forum session offers an invaluable and significant business experience, and attendees will have an opportunity to be updated on maritime topics around the U.S. and world ports.”

IAPH develops and fosters cooperation among ports and harbors around the world. It provides a forum to exchange opinions and share experiences on the latest trends of port management and operations. It strives to emphasize and promote the vital link that ports play in today's global economy. Since its founding in 1955, IAPH has become a global alliance of ports, now representing more than 200 ports in about 90 countries.

Georgia’s deepwater ports and inland barge terminals support more than 286,476 jobs throughout the state annually and contribute $14.9 billion in income, $55.8 billion in revenue and $2.8 billion in state and local taxes to Georgia’s economy.

For additional information, please contact GPA’s Senior Director of External Affairs Robert Morris at (912) 964-3855 or rmorris@gaports.com. Visit the GPA web site at www.gaports.com