The International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) is the leading global alliance of port authorities and stakeholders, representing more than 170 ports in nearly 90 countries – including some of the largest and busiest harbours in the world.
Founded in 1955, IAPH promotes sustainable, efficient, and innovative port management. It provides a platform for collaboration on key issues such as climate action, digitalisation, trade facilitation, and resilience.
Through knowledge exchange, policy advocacy, and technical working groups, IAPH plays a central role in shaping the future of global port infrastructure – the literal gateways of maritime trade.
Ports are no longer just places where ships dock and cargo moves. They are hubs of energy, data, security, and sustainability. IAPH helps them adapt and evolve through:
1. Policy Leadership and Representation:
2. Sustainability and Climate Action:
3. Digitalisation and Data Exchange:
4. Port Performance and Safety:
Launched by IAPH in 2018, the WPSP unites ports around the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Its pillars include:
• Resilient infrastructure
• Climate and energy
• Digitalisation and transparency
• Safety and governance
• Community and social integration
Through this initiative, ports large and small can share innovations, showcase projects, and learn from one another – driving collective progress.
IAPH members include:
• Port authorities (public and private)
• Terminal operators
• Ministries of transport
• Research institutions and maritime associations
This diverse network allows IAPH to act as a global thought leader – building bridges between policy makers, business leaders, and local communities.
It publishes the respected IAPH World Ports Tracker, organises international conferences, and collaborates with other maritime bodies on interconnected transport policies.
Ports are where land meets sea, trade meets infrastructure, and global meets local. They are essential nodes in supply chains and frontlines of climate impact.
IAPH ensures that ports are not just reactive, but proactive – transforming challenges like congestion, emissions, and digital fragmentation into opportunities for innovation, inclusion, and resilience.
By encouraging collaboration, setting global benchmarks, and amplifying the voices of both mega-ports and developing harbours, IAPH helps create a port ecosystem that’s smarter, greener, and more human.
How can ports – through organisations like IAPH – become leaders not only in trade efficiency, but also in sustainability, community wellbeing, and climate action?
