For the second time since 2004, the Cebu Port Authority took on the task of hosting the 12^th International Network of Affiliated Ports (INAP) Conference last November 9-10, 2010.

     Held at the newly opened Radisson Blu Hotel in Cebu City, this year’s INAP Conference and Symposium was well-attended by delegations from its members ports: Port of Kochi in Japan, Port of Tanjung Perak in Indonesia, Port of Colombo in Sri Lanka, Mokpo Newport in South Korea, Port of Subic and Port of Cebu in the Philippines.

     The conference’s opening ceremony was graced by its guest of honor, Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Undersecretary Aristotle Batuhan and Cebu City Michael Rama.

     On the first day, the delegates were taken on a tour to the Cebu International Port and introduced to Cebu’s heritage at the Museo Sugbo.  Later at night, they were treated to a sumptuous Filipino dinner at the Capitol by Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia who brought in local dance contingents from Danao City, Mandaue City and Municipality of Sibonga to welcome the delegates with dance numbers showcasing their town’s local festivals.

     This year’s successful hosting of the INAP Conference was spearheaded by the INAP Steering Committee headed by its chairman, CPA Deputy General Manager Dennis R. Villamor.  The committee saw to it that all delegations were properly assisted by liaison officers and members of the secretariat tapped from the different departments of the CPA.

     Established in 1998, INAP is aimed at exchanging and sharing information on marine transport and port affairs among member ports.  The INAP activities include studying and discussing potential measures to promote mutual exchanges and create a world scale port network to respond to the needs of marine transport on the basis of intra-regional networks among ports.

     During this conference’s General Assembly, member ports led by their respective heads of delegation, once again renewed their commitment to further the alliance’s purposes and objectives.  Among the significant bills passed and approved by the Assembly is the implementation of the INAP Technical Exchange Program (ITEP).

     The ITEP is primarily aimed at building substantial friendship exchange and cooperation among member ports.  Through the ITEP, member ports are encouraged to mutually exchange port representatives with other member ports to share technical expertise and information on local economic conditions.  Based on these exchanges, each member port is expected to raise international competitiveness and provide high quality port services to their respective clients.

     The INAP General Assembly also approved the bill appointing CPA General Manager Vicente T. Suazo as the 12^th INAP Chairman.

     INAP's founding members are the Port of Colombo, the Port of Kochi, the Port of Qingdao, the Port of Subic Bay and the Port of Tanjung Perak.

     The Port of Cebu, through the CPA, became a member port in 2000, while the Mokpo New Port joined in 2007.