PORTS OF THE FUTURE PARTNERSHIP : A QUAD INITIATIVE

A Quad Initiative is aimed at promoting modern and resilient port infrastructure development across the Indo-Pacific.

This initiative seeks to harness the Quad’ s collective expertise to coordinate, exchange information, share best practices, and mobilize both government and private sector investments in quality port infrastructure. The partnership is a move to bolster maritime connectivity, logistics resilience, and quality infrastructure in the Indo-Pacific, leveraging the Quad' s combined resources and institutional expertise.

The Conference is open for all IMW Delegates to attend.

29th October 2025 To 30th October 2025

29th Oct | 09:00 AM ~ 03:00 PM
30th Oct | 09:00 AM ~ 02:00 PM

29th Oct | Hall No. 4, Bombay Exhibition Center, Goregaon, Mumbai
30th Oct | Hall No. 4, Bombay Exhibition Center, Goregaon, Mumbai

Details

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Day and Time	Sessions
Day 1	29 October 2025 (Wednesday)
07:30 hrs	Departure from Hotel to Conference Venue Baltic Sea- Hall 4, Bombay Exhibition Center, Goregaon, Mumbai (NESCO Centre)
09:00-10:10 hrs	Inaugural Plenary session: Ports as key development anchors in the Indo-Pacific ● K. Nagaraj Naidu, Additional Secretary, Americas Division, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India ● Jorgan K. Andrews, Chargé d’Affaires, US Embassy New Delhi ● Peter Cook, Director, PCA Maritime Ltd ● R Dinesh, Executive Chairman, TVS Supply Chain Solutions ● Carly Partridge, Acting Deputy Head of Mission, Australian High Commission ● Misako Takahashi, Deputy Director-General / Deputy Assistant Minister (Ambassador), International Cooperation Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan ● Unmesh Sharad Wagh, Chairman, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority ● Moderator: Indrani Bagchi, CEO, Ananta Centre Focus Areas: ● Ports as Economic Engines: Position ports as hubs for trade facilitation, industrial growth, and regional integration. ● Strengthening Supply Chains: Enhance resilience and redundancy in logistics networks to reduce vulnerabilities. ● Connectivity & Integration: Develop ports as seamless nodes linking sea, land, and digital corridors. ● Future-Ready Infrastructure: Embrace smart technologies and secure subsea cables to prepare for evolving maritime challenges. ● Supporting Commercial & Maritime Interests: Align port development with the broader objectives of blue economy growth, maritime security, and cooperative prosperity.
10:15-11:30 hrs	Session 2: Infrastructure and Investment – Quad’s pathways in the Indo-Pacific ● Suja K. Menon, Joint Secretary, Development Partnership Administration- 1, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India ● Clint Carmichael, Chief Operating Officer, Gujarat Pipavav Port Limited (APM Terminals) ● Toru Endo, Chief Representative, Japan Bank for International Cooperation ● Ashwani Gupta, CEO, Adani Ports & SEZ ● Tijo C. Mathew, Head – Ports & Harbours Business Segment, L&T Construction ● Sam Walker, Investment Director, AIFFP (Technical Adviser), Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade ● Moderator: Nikita Singla, South Asia Scholar, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Focus Areas: ● Scaling Infrastructure Investment: Mobilise greater capital flows for the development and upgrading of ports across the region. ● Evolving Regulatory Frameworks: Streamline and harmonise port-related regulations to facilitate smoother trade and logistics. ● Public-Private Partnerships (PPP): Encourage innovative PPP models for construction, port modernisation, and standards alignment. ● Joint Financing Mechanisms: Design blended finance, risk-sharing, and co-financing initiatives among Quad members to address funding gaps. ● Deepening Technical Partnerships: Share expertise on engineering, smart logistics, and regulatory best practices. ● Overcoming Operational Barriers: Tackle challenges related to project execution, governance, and interoperability of port systems.
11:30-11:45 hrs	Tea/Coffee Break
11:45-13:00 hrs	Session 3: Digital Infrastructure and Next-Gen Tech ● Adam Baker, Vice President, Gnosis Freight ● Gadi Benmoshe, MD, Marinnovators consulting & Vice chair of the Data Collaboration Committee, IAPH ● Pradeep Jayaraman, CEO, Vizhinjam Port (APSEZ) ● Ingvar M. Mathisen, CEO, Oslo Port ● Sagar Kadu, Director Logistics, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India ● Martijn Thijsen, Director Digital/Head of Global Connect, Port of Rotterdam Authority ● Moderator: Meera Kumar, CEO, Diabos Focus Areas: ● Strengthening Maritime Cybersecurity: Protect critical digital networks, satellite systems, and data flows essential for navigation, logistics, and port operations. ● Smart Logistics & Resilience Anchors: Position ports as central nodes in resilient supply chains through advanced digitalisation, automation, and predictive capabilities. ● Technology Pilots for Commercial Port Applications: Testbed initiatives for AI-driven vessel traffic management, automated cargo handling, IoT-enabled sensors, and drone-based monitoring. ● Best Practices & Collaborative Frameworks: Share experiences from advanced port systems, maritime surveillance networks, and cyber incident management. Establish joint approaches on funding, R&D cooperation, and capacity building to bolster digital resilience. ● Future-Proofing Connectivity: Explore innovations in secure undersea cables, quantum-resistant encryption, and AI-based threat detection for maritime infrastructure. ● Quad R&D Exchange for Next-Gen Logistics: Foster collaboration with like-minded Indo-Pacific partners on R&D for smart port technologies, advanced analytics, and optimisation tools. ● Integration of Cutting-Edge Technologies: Deploy AI, machine learning, blockchain, 5G, and robotics to enhance operational efficiency, reduce turnaround times, and strengthen port security. ● Ease of Access & Single Window Clearance: Build digital platforms for integrated documentation, trade facilitation, and transparent customs processes to streamline port-user experiences.
13:00-13:45 hrs	Lunch
13:45-15:00 hrs	Closed-door G2G roundtable Quad partners discuss ways, and means, to synergize their efforts and build quality port infrastructure in the Indo-Pacific. By invitation only
13:45-15:00 hrs	Visit to the IMW Exhibition
16:00-19:00 hrs	Leaders’ Conclave ● Address by Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi Hall 6, Bombay Exhibition Centre
20:00 hrs	Dinner Hosted by Ministry of External Affairs Soma, Gr By invitation only
Day 2	30 October 2025 (Thursday)
10:00-11:15 hrs	Session 4: Shipping and Shipbuilding ● Dhritiman Biswas, Senior Director, Government Relations - South Asia, Cargill ● Anil Devli, CEO, Indian National Shipping Association ● P.L. Haranadh, Chairman, Paradip Port Trust ● Shyam Jagganathan, Director General of Shipping, Government of India ● Sushil Kumar Singh, Chairman, Deendayal Port ● Moderator: Subhomoy Bhattacharjee, Professor of Practice and Director, Centre for Regulatory Governance, Jindal Global Law School, OP Jindal Global University Focus Areas: ● Strategic Shifts in Global Shipping: Assess how automation, and supply chain reconfiguration are reshaping the industry. ● Forging Partnerships: Explore avenues for collaboration among Quad and Indo-Pacific partners to strengthen shipbuilding and repair capacity. ● Workforce Development: Invest in skilling and reskilling programmes to build a future-ready maritime workforce. ● Regional Shipbuilding Clusters: Promote specialised clusters for design, construction and maintenance. ● Innovation & Technology Integration: Leverage digital design, advanced materials, and propulsion systems to enhance competitiveness.
11:15-11:45 hrs	Tea/Coffee Break
11:45-13:00 hrs	Session 5: Modernising Port Logistics and Operations ● R. Lakshmanan, Joint Secretary (Ports, PPP, CS, Sagarmala-I, & IT), Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Government of India ● Paul E. Kent, Senior Vice President, Monument Economics Group ● Dhruv Kotak, MD, JM Baxi Group ● Rizwan Soomar, CEO & MD, DP World ● Harikrishnan Sundaram, Director - Colombo West International Terminal ● Moderator: Afaq Hussain, Co-founder & Director, Bureau of Research on Industry and Economic Fundamentals (BRIEF), New Delhi Focus Areas: ● Logistics Optimisation: Digitalise port operations using AI, IoT, and blockchain for real-time tracking, predictive maintenance, and congestion reduction. Enhance multimodal connectivity to streamline cargo movement across road, rail, and inland waterways. ● Performance and Efficiency Frameworks: Deploy audit mechanisms, operational benchmarks, and international best practices to improve fuel use, turnaround time, and overall energy and resource efficiency. ● Materials and Asset Management: Introduce structured systems for handling by-products and surplus cargo or vessel-related materials, including reprocessing and recovery mechanisms to optimise lifecycle value and reduce operational overheads. ● Integrated Power Systems: Expand on-site generation and diversified power sources, supported by robust grid connectivity and storage capacity to ensure uninterrupted operations under varying demand conditions. ● Fuel and Power Infrastructure: Develop bunkering and refuelling capacity for a wider range of fuels (LNG, hydrogen, ammonia, methanol), alongside electrification of port operations and shore-to-ship power systems to improve turnaround efficiency.
13:00-14:00 hrs	Lunch
14:00 hrs	Visit to JNPA Port, Navi Mumbai (Optional)