Keep checking back for frequent updates as we confirm speakers, presentations and networking sessions!
COMPANION PROGRAM
Guests of attendees are in for a treat as we have three days of excursions planned that highlight beauty and culture of Vancouver Island. Monday, August 11: Malahat Skywalk and Unsworth Vineyards with dinner at Saysutshun (Newcastle Island) Marine Provincial Park. Companions will be picked up (9:00 am) at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre following […]
APP Executive Committee Meeting
Association business.
Registration Desk
Your first stop! Get your name tag and delegate bag filled with sponsor goodies. Staff will be on hand to answer questions and assist you with getting familiar with the conference venue.
Golf: Nanaimo Golf Club
Nanaimo Golf Club is a spectacular 18-hole semi-private course, with full practice facilities and Pro Shop. At 6,700 yards from its championship tees, the course is a test for low handicap golfers to produce long, straight drives to reach the greens in regulation. At the same time, the five other sets of tees on each […]
Welcome Reception
Kicking off the APP’s 11th Annual Conference, your first opportunity to meet new acquaintances, catch up with friends, and enjoy the view of Nanaimo Harbour with refreshments and appetizers.
Registration Desk
Your first stop! Get your name tag and delegate bag filled with sponsor goodies. Staff will be on hand to answer questions and assist you with getting familiar with the conference venue.
Welcome Remarks
The APP is pleased to confirm the conference will be opened by a prayer and blessing from Elder Sandra Good of the Snuneymuxw First Nation, followed by remarks from The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Transport Canada (if unavailable, Deputy Minister Thangaraj will attend).
Sister Port Agreement Signing Ceremony
Join us in celebrating the Sister Port Agreement between the Nanaimo Port Authority and the Port of Kaohsiung. The agreement reaffirms the desire of both ports to collaborate on best practices.
Keynote Speaker: Maksim Mihic, DP World
Today’s Modern Terminal DP World’s Maksim Mihic, Global Executive Vice President, Operations and Engineering, explores the advancement of operational standards in today’s modern terminal. From decarbonization to digitalization and the impact of AI, Mihic highlights the efficiencies and sustainable practices that can be achieved to create some of the world’s most advanced terminals.
Session #1: Terminals: Innovations and Efficiencies
The goal of this session is to highlight best practices in terminal operations to achieve greater efficiencies and sustainability. Panel members will represent cruise and break bulk, container, and liquid bulk terminals.
Session #2: Port Updates (I)
The tradition continues! This session is continually given the highest marks from attendees as port representatives provide updates within their jurisdictions. Learn about major projects, business trends, and issues faced. The topics raised during this session can then be discussed directly amongst colleagues during meals and networking sessions over the duration of the conference.
Session #3: Port Updates (II)
The tradition continues! This session is continually given the highest marks from attendees as port representatives provide updates within their jurisdictions. Learn about major projects, business trends, and issues faced. The topics raised during this session can then be discussed directly amongst colleagues during meals and networking sessions over the duration of the conference.
Session #4: Developing a Vibrant Cruise Industry
Focusing on what it takes to build a successful cruise industry, Donna Spalding, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), is joined by representatives from top cruise destinations to discuss trends and issues as well as their own experiences in developing their sector.
Session #5: Commercial Shipping on the West Coast
Moderated by Jamie Marshall, National Sector Lead – Ports and Marine, Colliers Project Leaders, two of the leading marine-policy advocacy organizations on the West Coast of North America join together to highlight commonalities, differences, issues and opportunities for the interface between port, marine terminals and shippers.
Session #6: Electrification and Shore Power for the Ferry Industry
As the voice of the worldwide ferry industry, Corrigan describes the trends and new technologies related to electrification and onshore power development as well as other sustainability practices — all playing a role in ports’ efforts to reach zero emissions.
Monday Dinner: Saysutshun Salmon Bake
O si:em siye’yu, nuw’ilum (Honoured friends, welcome) to Saysutshun (Newcastle Island) Marine Provincial Park. Known as Saysutshun by the Snuneymuxw, this family friendly park is accessible only by foot passenger ferry or boat. With breathtaking views of the Coastal Mountains and the Harbour City, the island offers a unique natural, historical and cultural experience for visitors. […]
Session #7: Host Port Spotlight -- Collaboration and Community Engagement
Join the Port of Nanaimo and its partners for a panel discussion on the successes of authentic community engagement through free and informed consent and spirited teamwork. This is a catalyst for reconciliation, diversification, job creation in the local community, and co-operative economic development opportunities for BC and Canada.
Session #8: Host Port Spotlight -- Short Sea Shipping & Supply Chain Diversification
Short sea shipping and supply chain diversification will ensure that the Canadian Pacific maritime sector has the tools, resources and knowledge to prepare for local and national resilience to supply chain disruptions caused by climate change events, labour disputes, marine traffic congestion, and geopolitical challenges. This panel conversation will look at the opportunities and solutions […]
Session #9: Host Port Spotlight -- Waterfront Workforce: People & Pilotage
The shipping industry has always relied on people to keep the supply chain moving. The safety and security of this skilled labour force is a vital part of the BC economy and a mainstay of the coastal community. This panel provides insights from major employers and stakeholders on the BC Coast.
Session #10A: Tug types and their use in Ports and Harbours
Details to follow…
Session #10B: Canada’s National Supply Chain Office
Working with industry, governments and partners, the National Supply Office is mandated to make Canada’s supply chains more efficient, fluid, resilient and reliable. The goals of the Office are to examine domestic and international supply chain issues; encourage data sharing and using digital tools; help government and industry make smarter policy, regulatory, investment and operational […]
Session #11: Oil Spill Response - Ready Today, Prepared for Tomorrow
As Canada’s West Coast marine response organization for almost 50 years, Western Canada Marine Response Corporation (originally known as Burrard Clean Operations) is internationally renowned for their knowledge and expertise in spill response strategies. Senior Communications Manager Michael Lowry describes the growth of the organization and the plans in place for prevention, preparedness and response […]
Session #12: Emergency Management and Resiliency
Representative Paul Evans, Oregon State Legislature leans on a 30-plus-year career spanning military, National Guard, firefighting and emergency services to share insights into emergency preparedness and resiliency for the transportation sector.
Session #13: Associate Member Updates
Practice your two-minute elevator pitch! An open forum for APP’s Associate Members to introduce themselves and explain their products and services that are invaluable to the port community.
Port of Nanaimo Waterfront Operations Tour & Dinner Cruise
A guided tour of the Port of Nanaimo’s waterfront operations followed by dinner and entertainment on board the Magic Spirit, a three-level yacht with panoramic windows, a spacious wraparound deck and a beautiful top sundeck where guests will soak in the beauty of Nanaimo’s surrounding waterfront.
APP Annual General Meeting
The Association of Pacific Ports Annual General Meeting — all are welcome!
Session #14: One Waterway, Two Legal Systems
American Maritime Lawyer Alan Goldstein and Canadian Maritime Lawyer Peter Swanson discuss where Canada and the U.S. agree, disagree, cooperate and conflict on major maritime issues.
Session # 15: Looking to the Future: Vessel Traffic Forecasting
Clear Seas will provide highlights from their recent study on expected changes in vessel traffic based on major resource and port expansion projects in Canada’s Pacific Region. Xanatos Marine’s Shailendra Shukra will pick up on this theme to delve into the technologies and best practices that will be useful in managing the changes.
Session #16: Leadership Recruitment, Retention and the Role of the Port Commission
Shey-Harding Executive Search’s Managing Partner Susan Dvonch is joined by Katie Miller, Deputy Port Director, Administration, Port of Stockton, to enlighten attendees on the keys to building an effective team. Renown for their successful recruitment strategies, Miller and Dvonch will review the current state of the industry for hiring and retaining Port leaders then delve […]
Session #17: The Elephant in the Room – Ship Dismantling and Recycling
Alex Rueben, Executive Director for the Association of British Columbia Marine Industries (ABCMI) and Catherine Hofmann, Principal, Catherine Hofmann Law, highlight the issues and implications of regulations covering ship recycling and the resulting implications for ports.
Session #18: Harboring Sustainability: Port Partnerships for Marine Waste
A big part of a port’s responsibility is to handle waste from its vessels. For the Port of Newport in Oregon, that is everything from engine waste to commercial fishing nets. Handling waste properly is incredibly important and something we should all be concerned about; the proximity to the ocean means that anything mismanaged has […]
Session #19: Environmental Technologies
Alex Velasco, with AXYS describes the technology used in building and commissioning hundreds of meteorological and oceanographic stations for marine, hydrological, and wind energy resource assessment applications around the world.
Session #20: Inspect and Detect to Protect
Konrad Mech highlights the features of Cellula Robotics and its use in underwater security and critical infrastructure inspection.
Session #21: Coastal Intelligence for Marine Safety and Climate Resilience
CEO Scott Beatty described how MarineLabs harnesses the power of their continuously expanding sensor network to provide the highest-resolution data, enhancing safety, streamlining marine operations, and building climate-resilient coastlines.
Session #22: Let's Get the Lights On
A short presentation on marine aids to navigation for ports and coastal areas. The presentation highlights IMO legal requirements, the process for assessing requirements, procurement, installation and maintenance highlighted with the new technologies for port infrastructure to support safe navigation.
Session #23: One Ocean, Dual Purpose - Using Autonomous Systems for Sustainability & Port Security
Autonomous marine systems are opening new possibilities for port operations across security, logistics, and environmental monitoring. Uncrewed surface vessels offer agile, cost-effective tools that can be deployed for a range of missions—from surveillance and enforcement to data collection and infrastructure assessment. This session explores how ports can leverage emerging technologies to meet evolving operational needs, […]
Closing Ceremony: Preview of 112th Annual Conference
Final remarks plus a preview of the APP’s 112th Annual Conference location: Guam! Hosted by the Port Authority of Guam.