Conference Schedule

IRPT’s Basin Meetings bring together regional stakeholders to discuss challenges, formulate innovative solutions, and
build connections. An RSVP is required to attend. RSVP by emailing tessakandres@irpt.net.
https://www.irpt.net/irpt-basin-meetings/

An informal gathering of Port of the Future Conference participants prior to the start of this year’s symposium.
Relaxed ambiance, cash bar, and early registration.

Presidential Executive Order 14629 aims to revitalize the U.S. maritime industry by establishing maritime prosperity zones, enhancing national security, and promoting economic growth. The order proposed the creation of maritime prosperity zones modeled after the opportunity zones established by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. These zones will be geographically diverse, extending beyond traditional coastal shipbuilding areas to include river regions and the Great Lakes. The establishment of maritime prosperity zones is expected to enhance economic activity in the maritime sector, create jobs, and strengthen national security by ensuring a robust domestic shipbuilding capability. The initiative reflects a broader strategy to revitalize American manufacturing and reduce reliance on foreign entities for critical maritime services and products.

The World Bank published the third edition of the Port Reform Toolkit – highlighting, among others the transformation of
ports in recent years and the emerging issues to address.

The Port Reform Toolkit is a comprehensive guide for implementing port reforms, published by the World Bank. It has evolved over
two decades to address changing sectoral trends and is now in its third edition. The toolkit covers traditional private sector
participation and explores new trends that will influence ports in the coming decades. It provides policymakers and industry
professionals with tools to manage port reform and improvement processes effectively, balancing efficiency and equity, promoting
sustainable development, and sharing risk effectively. The toolkit is available online and can adapt alongside the industry to provide
a structured basis for reform in an increasingly complex operating environment.

Speaker: Jan Hoffman, Maritime Transportation and Ports, The World Bank

(By Invitation – Identify Room)

Heavy-duty commercial drones are specialized unmanned aerial vehicles designed to carry substantial payloads,
ranging from 10 pounds to over 500 pounds, making them essential for various industries such as logistics, construction, and
agriculture.

Future heavy-duty commercial drones may rival truck and rail in inter-modal connectivity from ports. The Griff 800 is capable of
carrying a max payload of 1,763 pounds. JD.com (China) is constructing a super-sized delivery drone capable of carrying a payload
of over 1 ton up to 186 miles.

Speaker: Scott Blough, Amazon

The concept of a "drone zone" isn't a no-fly area, but a network of integrated infrastructure that propels a community
forward. Imagine a region where the sky is not just for birds and airplanes, but a seamlessly managed, automated highway for a
new kind of service. This is the narrative of value that drone zones—strategically placed networks of drone docks—bring to a region.

This panel discussion focuses on the process and challenges to creation of a drone zone in SouthEast Texas, home to U.S. strategic
ports of Beaumont and Port Arthur in addition to the Port of Orange and Sabine Neches Navigation District.

Moderator: TBD, Autonomy Research Institute
Panelist: TBD, Sabine Port
Panelist: TBD, Amazon
Panelist: TBD, Port of Beaumont
Panelist: TBD, Port of Orange

Increasingly, ports employ the use of subsurface drones in ports to enhances security and operational efficiency by:

• Enhancing Threat Detection: Drones can automatically detect passing vessels and provide data to AI systems for threat
  assessment, improving port security.
• Conducting Real-Time Surveillance: Drones can cover large areas quickly, identifying potential security breaches and
  providing real-time situational awareness.
• Cost-Effective Solutions: Drones can reduce the need for human surveillance, leading to cost savings for port operations.
• Integration with AI: The integration of AI algorithms allows for swift identification of potential threats, streamlining security
  operations.
• Integration with AI: The integration of AI algorithms allows for swift identification of potential threats, streamlining security
  operations.

These advancements demonstrate the growing importance of drones in modern port security and operations.

In critical defense, public safety, and industrial operations, the 45-minute battery limit of conventional drones is the single
biggest constraint on success. This panel discussion explores the transformative impact of Tethered Unmanned Aerial Systems
(TeUAS). This session will detail how connecting an aerial platform to a ground power source delivers true operational superiority. It
highlights advances which turn the aerial platform into a true, persistent tactical asset for force protection, communication relay,
and Counter-UAS missions.
• Unlimited Time on Station: How tethered systems provide proven 100+ hours of continuous flight, transforming intermittent
surveillance into persistent overwatch.
• Heavy Lift, Zero Compromise: Integrating multiple, heavy payloads—from high-resolution EO/IR cameras and high-intensity
illumination to vital Mobile Ad Hoc Networking (MANET) radio relays.
• Secure and Silent: Leveraging the fiber-optic tether for RF-silent operation and a robust, secure data link.

Moderator: TBD, TBD
Panelist: Travis Edwards, Director, Strategic Initiatives, Zenith Aerotech*
Panelist: TBD, TBD

The program consists of building four new terminals (Petroleum and Cement Terminal, Petroleum Terminal and Cargo
Terminals 1 & 2), and a new onshore administration building, The North Extension Stabilization Steps 1 & 2 and demolition of the
existing terminals. Three cargo terminals currently operate year-round and provide 90% of Alaskans with critical goods making
continuity of operations key. Two new cargo terminals will be built replacing the existing three terminals which will be partially
demolished in a phased approach. The new terminals are designed longer to accommodate newer, larger vessels requiring two
instead of the three existing terminals. The new terminals will have seismically capable structures built 140 feet seaward of the
existing structure to reduce sedimentation impact, improve berthing safety and allow for continued port operations during
construction.

Speaker: Terry Umatum, Executive Director, Port of Alaska at Anchorage

The…

The Dominican Republic’s Samaná region is on the brink of a major transformation with the development of the Samaná
Bayport Cruise Terminal. This cutting-edge facility is set to position Samaná as a premier Caribbean destination, drawing over one
million tourists annually and boosting the local economy. The terminal’s arrival signals a new era of economic growth, fueled by
eco-tourism, sustainable development, and an influx of high-value visitors eager to explore the region's breathtaking beauty and
cultural richness.

The new terminal will feature a commercial plaza, water park, dining area, artisan market, cultural spaces, and docking facilities
capable of accommodating two ships simultaneously.

Speaker: TBD, CEO,
Speaker: TBD, TBD

Morocco is building Nador West Med, a new deepwater Mediterranean port, scheduled to be operational in the second
half of 2026. The port be Morocco’s deepest at 23 meters, will include quays dedicated to exporting green hydrogen once
production begins.

It will offer 800 hectares for industrial activity, with plans to expand to 5000 hectares, surpassing Tanger Med’s industrial zones.
The port will also host Morocco’s first liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal – a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) –
linked by a pipeline to industrial hubs in the northwest, as Morocco pushes investments in natural gas and renewable energy to
reduce dependence on coal.

The facility will be surrounded by 1,600 hectares for industrial activities and 5,200 hectares for farmland irrigated by desalinated
water.

The Port of Duqm is set to undergo a significant expansion, with Investcorp Aberdeen Infrastructure Partners leading a
$550 million project. This investment aims to enhance the port's capacity and support an industrial area within the Duqm Special
Economic Zone. The project will involve marine infrastructure development, dredging, and the construction of a new quay wall,
which will service a low-carbon industrial plant. This facility is expected to produce low CO₂ iron metallics and eventually hydrogen-
powered "green steel," aligning with Oman's net-zero ambitions. The initiative is part of Oman's Vision 2040 and the country's
commitment to sustainable infrastructure development. The port's expansion is expected to catalyze industrial growth in Duqm and
position the Sultanate of Oman as a regional leader in sustainable logistics and green industry.

Moderator: TBD, TBD
Speaker: TBD, Port of Duqm
Speaker: TBD, Aberdeen Infrastructure Partners

The Louisiana International Terminal project is a significant public-private investment of $1.8 billion, with construction
expected to begin in 2025 and an anticipated opening in 2028. This project aims to enhance the supply chain for container
shipments on the Mississippi River and its tributaries, potentially creating over 17,000 new jobs statewide by 2050. The terminal will
be located in Violet, Louisiana, and will serve vessels of all sizes, dramatically increasing Louisiana's import and export capacity. The
project is designed to leverage extensive transportation connectivity, including interstate systems and railroads, to facilitate efficient logistics. The terminal is expected to handle between 180,000 to 280,000 containers in its first year of operation.
Additionally, the project incorporates sustainability measures and community input into its design.

Speaker: Morten Jensen, Chief Operating Officer, Port of New Orleans

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)’s Port of Banana consists of one wharf of 75 m and depth 5.18 m, with two
small cranes for cargo handling and a few small jetties. The port has an oil terminal 4 km further upriver, to which tankers discharge
while at anchor in the creek. This terminal has road access separate from the main port east of Muanda. There is also a naval base
of the Navy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which is partly maintained with Chinese assistance.

In early 2022, a $1.2 billion construction project began to turn the port into the DRC's first deep-water port. The work is being
carried out by DP World, despite a lack of public tender, as part of its 30-year development and management contract. When
completed, the port is expected to process over 300,000 containers per year.

Speaker: TBD, TBD
Speaker: TBD, DP World

The.

Speaker: TBD, TBD
Speaker: TBD, TBD

Music by Country Western Recording Artists, Bill Mock and Karl Fraitz

Synopsis. The Interoceanic Corridor of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec (CIIT) is a 303–308 km multimodal trade and logistics route connecting the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, designed to boost southern Mexico’s economy and serve as an alternative to the Panama Canal.

The CIIT is a strategic infrastructure project in southern Mexico linking the ports of Salina Cruz (Pacific Ocean) and Coatzacoalcos (Gulf of Mexico) via a modernized railway system, highways, and industrial parks, covering 79 municipalities across Oaxaca and Veracruz, with extensions toward Chiapas and Tabasco.

Its primary goals are to facilitate international trade, attract private investment, industrialize the historically underdeveloped south, and provide a faster, cost-effective alternative to the Panama Canal, especially during periods of low water levels.

The U.S. Army and GreenSea IQ affirmed the value of robotic hull cleaners in addressing fouling caused by
marine growth such as barnacles, algae, and other organisms. By eliminating drag and buildup, these systems enhance
vessel performance and extend operational life.

The primary advantages include: Enhanced Fuel Efficiency; Increased Speed and Performance; Improved Maneuverability
and Handling; Reduced Engine Strain and Wear; Prevention of Hull Damage; Cost Savings and Longevity; and Enhanced
Operational Readiness

A single operator can use a robot to clean an Army LSV hull in roughly six hours, compared to the week required for a dive
team. This efficiency frees up the Army Dive Team and keeps LSVs mission-ready, redirecting resources toward critical
warfighting priorities.

Speaker: TBD, Title and Corporation
Speaker: TBD, Title and Corporation

Should ports agree on an optimal sustainable fuel for ships?
As carriers and alternate fuel providers continue in their arguments as to which sustainable fuels are best, the result has been a mess.
If major ports were to “agree on a sustainable fuel…we can gain great efficiencies and save untold billions.” “Even if one fuel is
somewhat less efficient or somewhat more expensive, once considered on an overall system level, it almost undoubtedly will be more
efficient if it is the single sustainable fuel. “…Let the Ports provide a clear course on sustainable fuels.”

Speaker: Rik F. Van Hemmen, Title and Corporation

Elomatic developed and designed Elogrids to provide operators with optimal vessel performance.

Elogrid is a transverse thruster grid technology that reduces fuel consumption and improves thruster performance. It also
improves water flow along vessel hull lines.

Whereas owners and operators are having to face increasing operational costs and, at the same time, comply with ever
more stringent environmental regulations. By saving fuel and increasing efficiency, both of which reduce emissions, the
Elogrid solution can help address these challenges.

Elomatic’s Elogrid and Wärtsilä’s thrusters are combined to provide a unified product that combines both companies’
expertise. This innovative technology solution supports decarbonisation efforts of the global vessel fleet.

Speaker: Jukka TBD, Title, Elomatic
Speaker: TBD, Title and Wartsila

TBD

Speaker: TBD,

Transport and storage infrastructure for CO2 is the backbone of the carbon management industry. CO2 transport and
storage infrastructure underpins the widespread deployment of carbon capture, including carbon dioxide removal via direct air
capture with storage and bioenergy with carbon capture and storage.

Aptamus Carbon Solutions LLC (Aptamus), a subsidiary of Overseas Shipholding Group Inc., and Entr, the consultancy arm of Aker
Solutions, have entered into an agreement for the front end engineering and design of a temporary storage and liquefaction
processing terminal at Port Tampa Bay, Tampa, Florida, and a discharge and regassification terminal at LBC Tank Terminals, Baton
Rouge, Louisiana, for its CO2 carbon maritime transport and storage program, Carbon Ocean and Storage Transport 20 (COAST20).

Moderator: TBD
Panelist: TBD, LBC Tank Terminals, Baton Rouge
Panelist: TBD, Port Tampa Bay
Panelist: TBD, Port Tampa Bay
Panelist: TBD, Aptamus

The Blue Sky Maritime Coalition’s white paper delves into the intricacies of onboard carbon capture utilization and storage
technology, and its application to maritime vessels operating in North America. The document presents onboard carbon capture as an
emerging but not yet mature technology. It highlights the need for a well-defined value chain to bring impactful carbon capture
utilization and storage (CCUS) adaptation to fruition. This paper attempts to answer three important questions around the evaluation
and implementation of maritime CCUS: 1. What are the prerequisites for successful implementation of onboard CCUS in the North
American maritime sector? 2. What does success look like for companies that implement onboard CCUS? 3. How do we make onboard
CCUS happen?

Speaker: Ellliot E. Vera, Americas Technology Project Manager, Shell

Many ports treat ESG, IMO decarbonisation, and disclosure requirements as a regulatory burden. This presentation flips
that perspective: what if the ports that embrace ESG most proactively actually attract the most cargo and capital?

We will explore how banks, cargo owners, and global shippers are quietly rewiring their supply chains around emissions profiles,
social license, and governance transparency – and how ports can position themselves as the “low-risk, high-trust” node that cargo
owners prefer….
Speaker: TBD, TBD
Speaker: TBD, TBD

The igus Mobile Shore Power Outlet (iMSPO) is designed to overcome the infrastructure limitations and evolving
operational challenges facing modern ports. Adjustable and built with the shipowner and the port and terminal in mind, iMSPO offers
a flexible shorepower solutions for all key stakeholders.

Speaker: TBD, iGUS
Speaker: TBD, TBD

The nation’s busiest port complex has taken a decisive step toward eliminating emissions from maritime operations, with
the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners voting unanimously to approve a binding agreement with the South Coast Air Quality
Management District that establishes concrete deadlines for transitioning to zero-emissions infrastructure.

The cooperative agreement commits the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles to developing comprehensive infrastructure plans in
three phases, beginning with a draft plan in May 2027 and concluding with approved plans for all equipment categories by the end of
2029. The agreement will target emissions from cargo handling equipment, harbor craft, trucks, trains and ocean-going vessels
across the ports complex.

Moderator: TBD,
Panelist: TBD, Port of Long Beach
Panelist: TBD, Port of Los Angeles
Panelist: TBD, South Coast Air Quality Management District

The PortXchange’s EmissionInsider platform is a leading digital innovation for port decarbonization. It offers ports full
visibility of transport-related emissions, from sea-going vessels to barges, trucks and rails, providing the granular insight needed to
reduce emissions at scale. Ports can consolidate multimodal emissions data into a single transparent view, replacing previously
fragmented and inconsistent reporting methods.

Already used by the Port of Rotterdam and Belfast Port, the platform enables data-driven decision-making, supports standardized
reporting, prioritizes decarbonization investments, and plans initiatives such as shore power. As ports prepare for tightening
emissions-reporting regulations and growing expectations for air-quality improvement, accurate, comparable data has become
essential.

Speaker: TBD, PortXchange
Speaker: TBD, TBD

The Migration and Relocation of Port Terminals have emerged as defining spatial transformations in the evolution of ports
over the past few decades. Relocation refers to the complete transfer of operations from an existing terminal to a new site, with the
original facility being closed once the move is finalized. Migration, by contrast, involves the addition of a new terminal site while the
existing facility continues to operate.

Migration and relocation can have far-reaching implications for governance, as existing port authorities may lack jurisdiction over
newly developed sites. In such cases, institutional restructuring or the creation of new governance frameworks may be required to
manage the expanded geography of port operations.

Although numerous factors drive port terminal migration – such as the pursuit of additional space, improved infrastructure, or access
to deepwater facilities (see figure) – there remain several significant impediments that can hinder or slow down these spatial
transformations.

ABS Wavesight Advantage delivers a comprehensive suite of capabilities, including real-time validation, emissions
benchmarking, pooling and a simplified process of submitting data for statutory verification to ABS through a convenient digital
connection.

By leveraging AI and predictive analytics, the platform enables users to optimize compliance strategies, reduce operational risk, and
improve fleet-wide efficiency. This platform connects vessels, shore teams, and systems, providing actionable clarity through a single
source of validated emissions data—empowering maritime leaders to make smarter, faster decisions with confidence.

Speaker: Staci Satterwhite, CEO, ABS Wavesight
Speaker: Luke Rouquette, Senior Director, Commercial Digital Products; ABS Wavesight
Speaker: TBD, Port of TBD

The "Port of the Future" is no longer a concept; it is an active implementation, leveraging digital transformation, 5G, AI,
and extensive Internet of Things (IoT) sensors to maximize efficiency and throughput. This hyper-connected environment, however,
dramatically expands the attack surface. This presentation moves beyond theoretical threats to provide practical strategies for
achieving cyber resilience across all port operations.

Cyber insurance is a crucial lifeline in safeguarding ports and terminals against the financial fallout of cyber incidents. This
specialized coverage assists in mitigating financial losses incurred due to cyberattacks, data breaches, and other digital perils.
While every cyber policy is unique, typical coverage types include business interruption losses, computer forensics, data recovery and
restoration, damaged or compromised systems repair or replacement, legal fees related to regulatory issues or third-party lawsuits,
crisis communication and public relations fees, customer notification, call center setup and operation, credit monitoring services,
ransom payment (if legally allowed), lost funds, customer credits and refunds, and reputational damage. BD

Speaker: TBD, Armada Global

Accurate positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) are essential to the maritime sector. Precision timing, primarily provided
through the Global Positioning System (GPS), is particularly important. However, GPS signals are low-power and unencrypted, making
them susceptible to both intentional and unintentional disruptions. Both China and Russia have developed layered, capable and
resilient backups to GPS. The U.S. failure to do so has become a national security threat.

This panel discussion focuses on a variety of possible options for ports and pilots – offering critical solutions/alternatives to help
protect, toughen or augment GPS to address national security, economy and public safety needs.

Autonomous navigation trials and AI-assisted bridge systems are advancing faster than regulatory frameworks can adapt.
Most discussions focus on sensors, rules of the road, and liability, but often overlook a critical angle: in heavily trafficked, high-risk
ports, the pilot may be the only independent “human firewall” between algorithmic error and catastrophe.

Drawing on real pilotage scenarios, cyber-risk case studies, and human–machine interface research, this session reframes pilots not
as legacy costs, but as high-value safety and cybersecurity assets. It will explore how pilotage organisations, port authorities, and
terminal operators can formally embed pilots into cyber-resilience plans, incident playbooks, and AI governance structures. The talk
concludes with a challenge: ports that automate without elevating the pilot’s oversight role may actually increase systemic risk rather
than reduce it.

Chevron and partner Equinor will develop the Bayou Bend Carbon Capture and Sequestration hub, seeking to establish one
of the first offshore carbon dioxide storage projects in the United States. The offshore hub will be located in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico off
the coast of Jefferson County in Southeast Texas.

Early estimates show a potential storage capacity between 225 million and 275 million metric tons of carbon dioxide from industrial
operations in the area. For comparison, the U.S. environmental Protection Agency estimates that an average gas-powered car that
gets 22 miles per gallon emits about 5 tons (about 4.5 metric tons) of carbon dioxide a year.

Moderator: TBD
Panelist: TBD, Equinor
Panelist: TBD, Chevron
Panelist: TBD