15.05.2002

The impact of the globalization on the Baltic transportation market constitutes the major focus of the Baltic Ports & Shipping Business Forum that is being held on 12-16 May 2002 as a series of events accompanying the Maritime Fair of International Transport, Forwarding and Logistics BALT-TRANS-PORT 2002.

Dynamic changes to the transportation market brought about as a result of the globalization process, as well as the economic growth in the Baltic Sea Region gave rise to a large number of questions. During the five-days' proceedings the participants, among them a numerous representation of the Port of Gdansk, are trying to find answers to these questions. The Forum commenced with an international conference on the ports and terminals operation and management trends, as well as the development trends in terms of the Baltic shipping business. During the first session the issues were dealt with in relation to the privatization process, co-operation and alliances among the seaports and terminals operating on the Baltic Sea. The session concluded with a panel discussion concerning the competitiveness of the Baltic seaports and the terminal operating companies in view of the globalization.

The next session focused on globalization issues and regionalization of the Baltic transportation market. The discussion concentrated on the perspectives of ro-ro market and ferry services development. The session concluded with a debate on container shipping on the Baltic Sea. A separate debate referred to the short sea shipping development.

Furthermore, the agenda of the Forum provides for two specialist seminars: "Crude Oil Transportation on the Baltic Sea - New Challenges" and "E-port" - focused on the implementation of the information technologies in seaports and its impact on the seaport logistics.