ASEAN Ports Association

APA Confirms New Executive Officers For 2023-2024

During the 46th APA Regular Meeting on 13-14 December 2022 in Kuching Sarawak, Malaysia, the members of the Association confirmed the appointments of the following executive officers for a two-year term: Mr. Bui Van Quy (Vietnam) - Chairman, Mr. Mohn Bahreen Bin Dato Hj Hamzah (Brunei Darussalam) – Vice Chairman and Working Committee Chairman, Mr. Nguyen Xuan Ky (Vietnam) – Secretary General, and Ms. Voon Ying Kam (Brunei Darussalam)- Honorary Auditor.

Ms. Phanin Hei - APA Chairperson and Mr. Men Chann-Secretary General handed over the APA flag to the new APA Executive Officers for 2023-2024, Mr. Bui Van Quy- Chairman and Mr. Nguyen Xuan Ky-Secretary General.

After two years of conducting the regular meeting via videoconference due to COVID-19 pandemic, the Meeting was held via face-to-face and attended by more than 60 participants from the nine-member countries of the APA.

Mr. Mizool Amir Bin Drus, General Manager of Bintulu Port Authority, warmly welcomed the delegates to the meeting. As the host organizer of the Meeting, he briefly introduced the management, operations, and services of Bintulu Port to the APA participants.

Mr. Mizool Amir Bin Drus, General Manager of Bintulu Port Authority

In her opening address, Ms. Phanin Hei, APA Chairperson, expressed her gratitude to Malaysia, particularly the Bintulu Port Authority for hosting the Meeting in person. She emphasized that APA can now resume its activities to share experiences and work together on how to navigate the new normal. She also emphasized that the 46th Regular Meeting is also an opportunity to review some of its activities to reflect current developments. She concluded her address by expressing her appreciation for the opportunity to lead the APA as she ends her term and pass the Chairmanship to Vietnam.

Ms. Phanin Hei, APA Chairperson

In his keynote address, H.E. YBhg. Datuk Isham Bin Ishak, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Transport of Malaysia noted that the past three years had been difficult for the global maritime supply chain, particularly the port sector. With new challenges ahead, he pointed out that the ASEAN Member States should closely coordinate to “feel the pulse” of what is about to happen and the future problems that ASEAN will face. For the port sector, he emphasized the importance of APA as a venue for collaboration among its members to talk on how to maneuver and prepare for these new challenges. While there are also other ports competing with the ASEAN, there is a need among ASEAN member states to benchmark with international standards. According to the Secretary-General, with the experience and close working relationship, APA ports would be able to complement each other to reap benefits from the broad ASEAN market.

H.E. YBhg Datuk Isham Bin Ishak, Secretary General of the Ministry of Transport of Malaysia

Opening Ceremony of the 46th ASEAN Ports Association (APA) Meeting

During the plenary, APA delegates presented various proposals and recommendations on the APA Strategic Program and agreed to review and assign countries to take the lead in setting goals, guidelines, and activities of the strategic program in the medium-term. Other administrative matters were likewise discussed and agreed upon to strengthen the coordination and collaboration efforts among members.

The APA members also presented their respective country papers which focused on recent developments in their respective ports. Among the highlights of presentations include the National Single Window System in Muara Port-Brunei Darussalam, Updates on Pelindo Merger and Port Modernization and Green Ports Initiatives in Indonesia, joint presentation on Stowage by Jurong Port-Singapore and Port Klang Authority-Malaysia, Decarbonisation Initiatives at the Maritime Port Authority-Singapore, Digitalization initiatives in Myanmar and the Philippines, Port Community System at the Port Authority of Thailand, and Updated Port Information and Plans in Cambodia and Vietnam.

During the closing ceremony, the new Chairman, Mr. Bui Van Quy emphasized his plan to strengthen APA’s collaboration with other port-related international organizations and to play an active role in the international maritime networks.

APA delegates from nine-member countries

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