This April, the spotlight turns to Paris as the Union des Ports de France gears up to host the 20th edition of the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) Conference. Scheduled for the 25th and 26th of April 2024, this prestigious event promises an enriching platform for stakeholders across the European port industry to engage, share insights, and explore the theme "Net-zero, Resilient and Competitive Ports: Acting Now to Deliver Tomorrow."
The ESPO Conference is renowned for bringing together the crème de la crème of the port and maritime sectors, and this year is no exception. The conference will kick off with insightful presentations by top experts including Dr. Alexandra de Hoop Scheffer of The German Marshall Fund of the United States, Hari Vamadevan of DNV, and Tim Power of Drewry. Their discussions will navigate through the geopolitical, economic, and energy landscapes shaping the future of European ports.
A series of dynamic sessions across the two days will delve into the roles ports play within their cities, future visions from academic perspectives, operational insights from port CEOs, and the tangible steps towards implementing recent legislative developments. Key topics such as hydrogen use, carbon capture and storage, the Emissions Trading System (ETS), and the Corporate Sustainable Reporting Directive will be addressed, alongside the potential impacts of Artificial Intelligence and Chat GPT technologies on the sector.
Highlighting the conference's commitment to fostering sustainable and innovative growth, Dr. Peter de Langen will present the new ESPO Port investment study, shedding light on investment trends and financial needs within Europe's ports. Furthermore, discussions will encompass strategies for enhancing port resilience and competitiveness, with contributions from esteemed figures like Damien Levie of DG Trade and Herald Ruijters of DG MOVE.
The conference's setting, Comet Bourse, located in the heart of Paris' 2nd Arrondissement, combined with a gala dinner at the Musée des Arts Forains and a concluding boat tour on the Seine, underscores the blend of professional enrichment and networking in an iconic backdrop.
As seats and accommodation fill up, interested participants are urged to secure their spots at www.espo-conference.com. Special rates are available for groups, ensuring a valuable experience for all attendees. For more information or assistance, the ESPO team is readily available to address any inquiries.
Mark your calendars for what promises to be an insightful and forward-looking gathering of Europe's port and maritime community in the heart of Paris this spring.
Source: https://www.espo.be/news/espo-conference-paris-25-and-26-april-we-are-ready
