SINGAPORE : The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) successfully hosted and chaired the 45th ASEAN Ports Association (APA) Working Committee Meeting from 28 to 31 July 2026, bringing together senior port executives, policymakers, and industry leaders from across Southeast Asia to strengthen regional maritime collaboration and advance the future of ASEAN’s port sector.
Established in 1974, the ASEAN Ports Association (APA) serves as a key regional platform for cooperation among ASEAN port authorities and port operators. The association promotes collaboration in areas such as port development, operational efficiency, digital transformation, environmental sustainability, safety, and innovation, with the shared objective of enhancing the competitiveness and resilience of ASEAN ports.
The meeting was officially opened by Mr. Wee Keong Ang, Chief Executive of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA). The Singapore delegation was led by Capt. Charles Alexandar De Souza and Mr. Lawrence Koo, alongside representatives from Jurong Port and PSA International.
In his opening address, Mr. Ang emphasized that Singapore’s maritime success has been built on the principles of openness, connectivity, and international collaboration.
“No port succeeds in isolation,” he remarked, underscoring the importance of governments, port authorities, terminal operators, and industry stakeholders working together to ensure resilient and efficient regional supply chains.
He further highlighted the strategic importance of the maritime sector to ASEAN’s economic growth, noting that as one of the world’s most trade-dependent regions, ASEAN relies heavily on maritime transport to facilitate international trade while safeguarding food security, energy security, and economic resilience. Mr. Ang also welcomed the growing interest from international port associations seeking partnerships with the APA, reflecting the association’s expanding influence as a catalyst for regional maritime cooperation.
During the four-day meeting, APA members reviewed the association’s strategic priorities and explored new avenues for collaboration to enhance port performance across the region. Key discussions focused on strengthening data exchange and digital connectivity among ASEAN ports, improving operational efficiency, and sharing best practices on the adoption of future marine fuels to support the maritime industry’s decarbonization journey.
The meeting also reinforced the importance of innovation, knowledge sharing, and coordinated policy development in preparing ASEAN ports to address evolving trade patterns, supply chain disruptions, and emerging environmental challenges.
As the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore marks its 30th anniversary this year, the authority reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with ASEAN partners to build a maritime sector that is resilient, sustainable, digitally connected, and future-ready. Through continued regional cooperation, technology adoption, and capacity building, ASEAN ports aim to strengthen their collective competitiveness and reinforce the region’s position as a vital hub in global maritime trade.
