By Abdallah el-Kurebe
The Dakar Port Pilots will host the global maritime pilots for the 24th Congress of the International Association of Maritime Pilots (IMPA 2018) between 22nd and 27th April, 2018 in Senegal.
Speaking with Newsdiaryonline.com in an interview, President of the Organising Committee of 2018 IMPA, Captain Oumar Drame said that the week-long event would discuss as well as explore key issues effecting all maritime pilots, ports and harbours globally.
According to him, “The Congress will discuss best operational practices, personal safety, technical advances & innovation, environmental issues, laws & regulations, training & professional development and responding to the ever- changing profile of the shipping industry.”
Drame said that the event which holds biannually held in London, United Kingdom in 2012; Panama, Central America in 2014 and Seoul, South Korea in 2016, adding that new regions were being opened and new cultures embraced by IMPA as the Dakar Port Pilots host the 2018 Congress in Senegal.
“The global forum of maritime professionals will exchange their technical know-how regarding latest technological innovations and reflect on current issues. This influential international gathering will discuss the next evolutions in the maritime and port sectors, in order to provide essential information regarding pilotage and port operations now, and in the future to empower the safety and professionalism of every pilot in the world,” Drame explained.
He said that it was the first time that the IMPA 2018 Congress would be held on the African continent.
“This is therefore an advantage and opportunity for Africa to share her best practices, professionalism and maritime heritage and knowledge with our international guests,” Drame said adding that “Sponsors and exhibitors will have an exclusive opportunity to not only meet with existing clients and industry partners but also have unique access to directors and other decision makers of more than fifty African ports who will be invited to this exceptional event.”
Speaking about the Congress, he said: “IMPA is a biennial IMPA congress of maritime pilots that gather over 400 other pilots and international maritime experts and professionals. It seeks to provide opportunities to exchange experiences; participate in discussions and engage with fellow pilots on current issues affecting individuals and the maritime sector as a whole.”
The meeting, Drame further explained, would discuss issues bordering on pilot safety and the maritime profession; the security of port facilities; navigation fairways; and on the monitoring of ever-increasing vessel sizes.
“Waterways and oceans, heritage and the social and economic communities dependent on the maritime and shipping industries are also topics that will the sessions. Sessions will discuss new researches and development, technological innovation and current expertise,” he stressed.
