Shanghai to host ports and terminals TOC Asia 2008 conference

THE 12th TOC Asia Conference and Exhibition will be held at the Shanghai International Convention Centre from March 18-20.

The shipping, ports and terminals event will draw upon support from Shanghai International Port (Group) Co, Ltd (SIPG), reflecting on what has happened in Shanghai over the past decade and its overall impact on the global port industry.

The event has attracted support from senior shipping industry management in Asia and among those making presentations will be Lu Hai Hu, chairman of SIPG; Fu Yuning, president of China Merchants Group; Guan Tongxian, president of ZPMC; John Elliott, chief executive officer of Asia Container Terminals and Matthew Hoag, chief executive officer of Laem Chabang International Terminal.

Topics include the economic and trade outlook for Asia, global shipping trends and implications for the regional terminal network, the roadmap for China's port and hinterland infrastructure, including the Yangtze region's connectivity to Shanghai and the environmental challenge for container shipping and ports.

The TOC Asia 2008 conference will also feature a special focus on India and the Middle East, as well as sessions on technical aspects of port and terminal operations, including the deployment of high-level technology, benchmarking and terminal performance, and productivity increases and cost savings, the release said.

The TOC Asia 2008 conference will be accompanied by a three-day exhibition, showcasing the latest equipment, technology and services for the ports and terminals industry. More than 40 companies will exhibit, including Kalmar, Konecranes, Siemens and ZPMC, the statement added.