Gene Seroka, the Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles, has accepted the position of Vice President within the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH).
While continuing his responsibilities as the Head of the nation’s busiest port, Seroka will represent the North American region within the IAPH, a non-governmental organisation founded in Tokyo, Japan in 1955.
The IAPH has evolved into a global alliance of ports over its six-decade history, now encompassing 177 ports and 147 port-related businesses across 84 countries. These member ports collectively manage over 60 per cent of the world’s seaborne trade and more than 60 per cent of the global container traffic.
Masahiko Furuichi, the Secretary General of IAPH, praised Seroka’s leadership and commitment to addressing global port issues: “We are honoured to have his expertise and depth of experience as we navigate these issues and search for collaborative solutions with our IAPH members.”
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“I am humbled and deeply grateful to my colleagues for electing me to this position,” commented Seroka.
“Global collaboration and communication are essential if we are to solve the enormous challenges facing our industry, many of which extend beyond borders and require international cooperation.
“Under the visionary leadership of incoming IAPH President Jens Meier, CEO of the Hamburg Port Authority, I believe that IAPH can be the driving force for helping achieve meaningful gains on pressing port industry issues, like sustainability, workforce development and innovation.”
Gene Seroka has been instrumental in leading the Port of Los Angeles in efforts to decarbonise shipping, reduce air pollution, and minimise the port industry’s environmental impact. This includes initiatives such as the establishment of Green Shipping Corridors to reduce emissions along major shipping routes and the adoption of cleaner fuels and transportation technologies.
Furthermore, Seroka has advocated for greater innovation and the use of technology within the maritime industry, including digitising the supply chain.
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The IAPH Board consists of a president and six Vice Presidents, each representing a global region. Seroka’s role as Vice President will focus on the North American region, contributing to the establishment of governing principles and decision-making related to IAPH’s operation, financing, and structure.
“The urgency of the issues facing ports today are unprecedented,” added Seroka.
“I believe IAPH is an ideal venue for facilitating collaboration, problem solving and best practice sharing within the port industry.”
At the end of last year, Gene Seroka discussed the state of contract negotiations between the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), foreseeing the resolution of these bargaining talks in the first half of 2023.
A final agreement between parties was reached on 14 June and subsequently ratified in September.
