PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia stands as a crucial maritime nation as it is strategically positioned in a network of key ports and terminals.
Deputy Dutch ambassador to Malaysia Eva Oskam said Malaysia's strategic location places the country as an important player to global trade and logistics.
"This strategic location provides a platform for us to engage in discussions that are both timely and relevant to the future of maritime logistics.
"As we explore innovative solutions and address the challenges and opportunities within this dynamic sector, we are laying the groundwork for a more connected and efficient global maritime network.
"The emerging industry, with its vast potential, requires collective efforts to utilise these opportunities effectively and to address the emerging challenges," she said during the International Conference on Maritime Logistics and Ports (ICMLP) 2024 opening ceremony.
ICMLP 2024 is a three-day conference to provide a critical platform for the exchange of knowledge and ideas, aimed at fostering innovation, collaboration, and progress in the maritime logistics and port sector.
The conference also aims to discuss the latest advancements, best practices, and challenges in maritime logistics, port management, supply chain management, and transportation.
Oskam said the Netherlands' was committed to sharing their expertise and insights with international partners and eager to collaborate to further the advancement of maritime knowledge and skills.
"Our contributions to the industry are not only limited to operational success. We are also renowned for our advanced educational training programmes which play an important role in shaping the next generation of maritime professionals," she said.
Professor Datuk Seri Dr Razali Yaacob, executive chairman of Netherlands Maritime University College Malaysia, one of the conference organisers, said they would present the findings and recommendations posed by the industry in the conference to the Transport Ministry.
He said ICMLP 2024 was a platform for industry players to find solutions.
"This is the first international conference for maritime logistics and ports in Malaysia and perhaps in Asia.
"Hopefully we are going to do this every year because there are gaps that need to be filled in the industry where people are looking forward to finding solutions to all the challenges that they face.
"We will discuss global issues, not only Malaysian issues or Southeast Asian issues. I hope this event will come up with the findings and recommendations to all the challenges posed by the industry and we will submit a reporting to the Transport Ministry and interested associations," he told reporters after the opening ceremony.
Razali added that the conference will discuss 10 themes, including challenges in security, artificial intelligence application, educational training and the environment.
The opening ceremony of ICMLP 2024 also witnessed a memorandum of understanding signing between the Netherlands Maritime University College (NMUC) and other educational institutions and companies to develop academic programmes, facilitate innovation, practical learning experiences and sharing best practices in the industry.
The MoU was signed by Jordan Academy for Maritime Studies, John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University, Tanjung Langsat Port Terminal, Latus Logistics Risk, Benchmark Straits Pilotage Sdn Bhd, Bumijaya Salvage and Engineering Sdn Bhd and Offmain Group.
ICMLP 2024 is organised by NMUC in collaboration with the Port Training Institute (PTI) of the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT), STC International.
It is co-organised by MY Iskandar Sdn Bhd (MISB) and the Chartered Institute of Logisties and Transport (CILT).