SINGAPORE, April 24 (NNN-BERNAMA) — Twenty port authorities around the globe today signed a declaration to keep ports open to seaborne trade to support the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 20 members of the Port Authorities Roundtable (PAR) from Asia, Europe, Middle East and North America recognise the critical role played by the maritime sector in keeping trade flows open in the global fight against COVID-19, said the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).
The declaration, initiated by Singapore, calls for port authorities to collaborate and share best practices in ensuring that port operations can remain undisrupted.
“As the world battles with the COVID-19 pandemic, it has never been more critical to keep our ports open and goods moving,” MPA chief executive Quah Ley Hoon said in a statement Friday.
Besides Singapore, other signatories include the Port Klang Authority, Port Authority of Thailand, Abu Dhabi Ports, Bureau of Port and Harbor (Tokyo metropolitan government), Hamburg Port Authority, Montreal Port Authority, and Port of Rotterdam.
Through the joint declaration, the signatories are committed to work together and ensure that, among others, merchant ships can continue to berth at port terminals to carry out cargo operations and keep the global supply chain going.
Quah said the shipping industry is chartering into many unknowns and new challenges.
“Port authorities have to take enhanced precautions for their ports and on ships, as well as manage the stress faced by our seafarers and maritime personnel,” she added.
PAR has also shared the declaration with the International Maritime Organisation and the International Association of Ports and Harbours to rally other port authorities to join this declaration.