A RMI Ports Authority team, led by board chairman Transportation Minister Hilton Kendall, visited Kaohsiung, the major port city in Taiwan, last week to establish a sister port relationship with Majuro.
They were in Taiwan for the Association of Pacific Ports annual conference.
The port-to-port relationship is a further business relationship between the two countries on top of their over 25 years of diplomatic relations. The Port of Long Beach in California and the Port of Majuro became the 19th and 20th sister ports for Kaohsiung. The ceremony was held as part of the Pacific Ports annual conference.
RMI Ports Authority Executive Director Thomas Maddison and President of the Port of Kaohsiung, Chin-Jung Wang signed the pact formally establishing sister relations between the two ports, reported the RMI Embassy in Taiwan.
Through the agreement, the two ports have committed to conduct exchanges of information and personnel related to port development and security administration, cybersecurity and operations in order to enhance understanding and capacity building.
In his remarks, Minister Kendall expressed confidence that the newly formed relationship between the two ports “will foster enhanced cooperation between our respective ports and will bring mutual benefits for both the RMIPA and the Port of Kaohsiung.” Kendall emphasized RMI’s commitment to promote greater understanding, friendship, and trade opportunities between the RMI and Taiwan.
Most of purse seiners calling into Majuro for transshipment and other services home port in Kaohsiung.
Members of the delegation from Majuro said the group was exposed to detailed information regarding Taiwan ports activities to move towards limiting greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent by 2030, and to a net zero level by 2050. This involves new ship construction with alternative and hydrogen fuels.
In addition to Minister Kendall and Executive Director Maddison, other Ports Authority representatives included board Vice Chairman Jerry Nathan and Seaport Manager Robert Heine.
Jerry Kramer and Robert Pinho were on hand representing Majuro Stevedore and Terminal Company.
RMI Ambassador to Taiwan Anjanette Kattil also joined in the ceremony.