Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Geraldine Knatz has been elected president of the International Association of Ports and Harbor. Knatz was unanimously chosen as the IAPH’s 29th president at the association’s biennial World Ports Conference last month in Busan, Korea.
“Dr. Knatz is a dynamic leader with the skill, drive and experience to guide this organization and its members as they collaborate on key trade and environmental policy issues,” says IAPH Secretary General Susumu Naruse. “We look forward to the role she will play in promoting an organization that facilitates dialogue and collaboration between the ports and harbors that drive our world economy.”
The port says Knatz’ term builds on the leadership role it has played in influencing trade policy and technological innovation while advocating cleaner environmental practices at ports around the globe. IAPH’s near-term priorities include working with ports to adopt an Environmental Ship Index with a menu of best practices for reducing greenhouse gases and curbing pollution from vessels and port-related operations. Other IAPH projects include developing international guidelines for fueling ships with liquefied natural gas.
Knatz’ election brings the presidency of the IAPH to Los Angeles, where the organization was founded more than 55 years ago. Her term culminates with 28th World Ports Conference in May 2013, hosted by the Port of Los Angeles.
