IAPH creates new job roles to focus on content strategy, events, membership outreach and networks
IAPH is pleased to announce a change to its Europe-based team, that will allow the association to build on strong membership growth and expanding industry partnerships, while continuing to deliver best-in-class content and events for the ports and maritime industry.
Victor Shieh, who joined IAPH in 2018 as communications partner for its World Ports Sustainability Program, becomes membership outreach and networks director, having previously occupied the roles of communications and events director and then strategy and communications director since October 2020. His background is in the commercialisation of logistics systems and as PR and communications executive of Safmarine Container Lines, part of AP Moller-Maersk. With IAPH regular membership now at over 200 organisations compared to 170 eight years ago, Victor will focus on ensuring existing ports and organisations get the most out of their membership, while further growing the association’s regular and associate membership. He will support the efforts of IAPH representatives Ennarasu Karunesan (South Asia) and Guimara Tuñón Guerra (Central and South America) as well as the IAPH council member representing associate members, Captain Allan Gray. In addition, with recent MOUs signed with several organisations, including Asian Development Bank, Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation and the Cruise Lines Industry Association, Victor will focus on developing IAPH’s growing network of partners and activities that add value to membership, as well as maintaining relations with the global maritime media.
Nick Blackmore, who has occupied the role of IAPH business development director for two years, is appointed content strategy and events director. Nick has played an important role in developing the IAPH value proposition as well as coordinating the public tender for the administration of the Environmental Ship Index (ESI). Nick has more than two decades experience as a journalist, and edited several leading maritime publications. Prior to joining IAPH he was director – editorial and publications for IHS Markit’s Maritime and Trade division.
As content strategy and events director, Nick will oversee content management of all IAPH publications and online tools in development. He will work closely with our media partner on the World Ports Conference agenda, webinars, and marketing. Nick will also supervise the editorial board of IAPH’s membership magazine Ports & Harbors, and will continue to oversee the IAPH Insider member newsletter, as well as press releases and social media communications.
IAPH managing director Patrick Verhoeven commented: “Victor’s and Nick’s paths first crossed when they worked very closely together on the content development and marketing for the planned IAPH 2020 World Ports Conference in Antwerp which had to be cancelled just two weeks before it was due to take place. That collaboration has been renewed over the last three years with their roles in the successful editions of the last IAPH World Ports Conferences in Hamburg and Kobe. They work seamlessly together and with the rest of the team in Europe and Japan. This new set up will further strengthen our communications, events, membership and partnership engagement.”
About IAPH
Founded in 1955, the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) has developed into a global alliance of 201 port authorities as well as 175 port-related businesses. Comprised of over 94 different nationalities across the world’s continents, member ports handle over one third of the world’s sea-borne trade and well over 60% of the world container traffic. IAPH leads global port industry initiatives on decarbonisation and energy transition, risk and resilience management, and accelerating digitalisation in the maritime transport chain. The IAPH’s World Ports Sustainability Program has grown into the reference database of best practices of ports applying the UN Sustainable Development Goals and integrating them into their businesses - iaphworldports.org.