Ports key to driving positive change, says Hamburg CEO

PORTS can play a crucial role in addressing some of the world’s most pressing issues, Hamburg Port Authority chief executive and International Association of Ports and Harbors president Jens Meier says.

Mr Meier is to deliver a keynote speech at the Ports Australia Biennial Conference in Sydney next month, at the event to be held at the Hyatt Regency.

“Ports are not just adapting to global challenges, they are helping to solve them. Whether it is the energy transition, supply chain resilience or digital transformation, ports are uniquely positioned to turn ideas into practical solutions and act as catalysts for change,” he told DCN.

“At the same time, none of this will succeed without people. As technology, markets and geopolitical conditions evolve at an unprecedented pace, we must ensure that the people working in our ports are equipped, empowered and included in this transformation.”

Mr Meier said these messages were relevant today because the debate around ports was “still too often framed around what is missing: investment gaps, infrastructure needs and operational pressures”.

“While these challenges are real, we should not lose sight of the unique role ports can play in addressing some of the most pressing issues of our time, especially in an environment shaped by constant change and uncertainty,” he said.

“Ports are among the few places where industry, energy, logistics and technology come together in a real-world setting. This makes them ideal testbeds for new ideas and solutions, from clean energy and digital innovation to more resilient supply chains.

“At a time when disruption has become the norm, we need to recognise and support this pioneering role.”
Real progress, he said, was driven by those willing to test new ideas, adapt and move forward, and ports were already doing exactly that.

“I hope people leave the room with a different perspective on what ports can be. Too often, we talk about challenges, constraints and what is still missing. I want to show, through practical examples from the Port of Hamburg, that ports can be places where solutions are developed, tested and brought into practice,” he said.

“Most importantly, I hope the audience leaves with a sense of possibility. Many of the ideas that are shaping our industry today started as bold experiments that not everyone believed in. Progress happens when people are willing to try new approaches, learn from them and keep moving forward. That spirit exists in ports around the world, and if listeners take some of that inspiration home with them, then I will have achieved my goal.”

DCN asked about prospects for positive change.

“If the presentation helps shift the conversation from what ports need to what ports can contribute, that would already be a positive change,” he said.

“I hope it encourages people to see ports as places where innovation is put into practice and where ambitious ideas can become tangible solutions. And if it inspires even a few people to be bolder in shaping the future of our industry, then it will have made a meaningful impact.”