2013-01-17 07:14:01 - The 4th Africa Ports, Logistics and Supply Chain Conference 2013 will be held on 4-5 March 2013 at Accra, Ghana – at the heart of some of the most exciting growth in Africa.

Now into its 4th year, the Africa Ports, Logistics and Supply Chain Conference is the premier event focusing on ports, terminals and their allied cargo movements and trade flows. The annual gathering addresses the industry's most pressing issues: the absence of deep water container transshipment terminals; inadequate berthing capacity; the lack of an integrated land distribution system – particularly for transit traffic; the lack of essential supporting infrastructure – such as rail systems; congested road networks, bureaucratic bottlenecks; as well as high maritime and freight charges. Special focus on the downstream Oil, Gas and Mining sectors will be the theme for Day 2.

The Conference’s distinguished panel of speakers includes representatives from the relevant government authorities around the region, including: Ghana

Ports & Harbour Authority (GPHA); Port Authority of Douala, Cameroon; Abidjan Port Authority, Ivory Coast; Port Authority of Dakar; Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA); National Disaster Management Agency, Gambia; and Saudi Ports Authority. Hear about their latest port masterplans.

Private sector speakers include top executives from Port Management Association of East & South Africa (PMAESA); Cameroon National Shippers’ Council; Ghana Shippers Council, Crown Agents; Bourbon Offshore; ECM Terminals Calabar; International Energy Insurance; Appropriate Communications, Belgium; among several others.

The Conference is supported by the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), the Port Management Association of East & South Africa (PMAESA), and Ports Environmental Network Africa (PENAf).

The CEO of the conference organizing company, Magenta Global Pte Ltd, Singapore, Ms Maggie Tan, said: “The conference typically draws participants from some 20 countries in and outside Africa. All Ports & Shipping executives face the same challenges – developing port and related infrastructure, enhancing ports and supply chain efficiency, and handling the pressures of growing trade volumes. The exchange of fresh information, experience and knowledge to enable ports and supply chain executives to better manage their operations and supply chain functions are the key hallmarks of this conference.” Ms Tan encouraged companies, organizations, businesses and governments that share Magenta’s vision for the future of sustainable port operations and logistics industry to be part of this key event.

The Conference will be held at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel.