Welcome to IFSPA 2009

Traditionally, sea and air shipping are two separate activities. Nowadays, along with the inevitable trend of globalization, they have been evolving as an integrated service profession of global economy, and indeed they have become the artery of global economy.

Jointly organised by the C.Y. Tung International Centre of Maritime Studies (CYT-ICMS) and the Department of Logistics and Maritime Studies (LMS) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), the third International Forum on Shipping, Ports and Airports (IFSPA 2009) will take place on PolyU’s main campus from 24 to 27 May 2009.

Themed "Post-Financial Tsunami: The Way Forward for Shipping, Transport and International Trade", IFSPA 2009 will examine issues related to global maritime and aviation economics, policies and management after confronting the financial turmoil worldwide, and also on how the industries should move forward to cope with challenges and opportunities ahead. The Conference invites basic, applied and case study research in the field of maritime and aviation policy and management, as well as the proposals for panel discussions.

This annual Conference aims to provide an ideal platform for academics and industry practitioners to exchange knowledge and views on the relevant subjects. Moreover, the event will serve as a good networking opportunity for further advancing academia-industry cooperation.

Highlights of this upcoming event also include, inter alia, two special sessions:

• "Dry Port Development in Asia and Other Regions: Theory and Practice" (in collaboration with United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific 

• "Logistics and Supply Chain Modelling Research" (in collaboration with the Logistics Research Centre of PolyU. 

We are proud that the previous IFSPAs experienced big success, with massive support from international influential academics and industry stakeholders. The IFSPA 2008 attracted over 200 participants from 15 countries, and we are expecting a wide range of attendances from Asia-Pacific and other overseas regions to the coming event.

We look forward to seeing you in Hong Kong!

Professor John Liu
Conference President, IFSPA
Director, CYT-ICMS
Chair Professor of Maritime Studies
Head, Department of Logistics and Maritime Studies
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University