So far, Guangzhou Port is open to some 400 ports in more than 100 countries and regions globally, with approximately 200 container routes connecting all major ports. The port has also established sister-port relationships with 38 ports, including Malaysia's Malacca Port, the US's Los Angeles Port, and Auckland Port in New Zealand.

"The selection of Guangzhou as the venue of the conference is because of its vitality and rich experiences in management, which we can all benefit from," said IAPH Sectary-General Susumu Naruse. "At the same time, experiences from other IAPH members will help boost the development of Guangzhou Port."

Guangzhou, Guangdong province capital, is announced to host the 31st World Ports Conference (2019) sponsored by the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH), on May 12. [Photo/southcn.com]

Founded in Los Angeles in 1955, IAPH is a non-profit and non-governmental organization (NGO) today headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.

Over the past six decades, IAPH has steadily developed into a global alliance of ports, representing some 180 ports and some 140 port-related businesses in 90 countries. The member ports together handle well over 60 percent of the world's sea-borne trade and nearly 80 percent of the world container traffic.