IAPH Chief Jens Meier : ‘Integration is vital for Indian ports to hit the big league’

TOKYO : CV Jens Meier has been the CEO of Germany’s Hamburg Port Authority since 2008. With over 25 years of experience in the port, logistics, finance and IT sectors, the computer science graduate is a recognised leader in the maritime industry. In 2023, Meier was elected President of the International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH) and re-elected for a second term in October 2025. Jens Meier, noted that while large infrastructure projects have improved performance, integrating these assets is the next crucial step for India to “hit the big league” of global maritime logistics

Tokyo-based IAPH, a non-governmental organisation, represents over 200 ports and 170 maritime-related businesses across 90 countries. It acts as a global alliance for port authorities and operators, focusing on decarbonisation, digitalisation and risk management.

During his recent visit to Chennai, Meier spoke on issues related to Indian ports., Meier emphasized that accelerating multimodal connectivity, particularly rail, and standardizing digital processes are critical for the next phase of growth.