Rafael Aznar to chair Global Institute's European Chapter

03 Jul '09

3 min read

The Global Institute of Logistics has appointed Rafael Aznar, Chairman of the Port Authority of Valencia (Valenciaport), as Chairman of the European Chapter of the Institute's Global Maritime Logistics Council (GMLC).

As a working council within the Institute, the GMLC provides the global maritime logistics industry with a forum through which global shippers, 3PLs, carriers, port authorities and terminal operators can share knowledge to improve supply chain efficiency and security.

The GMLC is committed to the publication of a series of reports and standards which will detail research, outline guides to best practice, provide a glossary of terms, and identify key performance indicators for each supply chain node which individual stakeholders can apply in their respective disciplines. The first phase of this work programme led to the launch of the Institute's Container Terminal Quality Indicator, in partnership with Germanischer Lloyd, in 2008. This was the result of three years of industry dialogue to establish appropriate key performance indicators (KPIs) for global container terminals.

To further understand the varying levels of relationship management at global ports and terminals uncovered by a review of the primary research for CTQI, the Institute launched the Global Maritime Logistics Council as a platform to standardize quality and service levels.

The Institute has developed a specific research and development module with Valenciaport for execution within the two year period of Mr Aznar's appointment. This module will research global standards in port cluster governance and result in the publication of a guide to best practice Port Cluster Governance in 2011.

The vision is that these best practices once identified and agreed are incorporated into independently auditable and certifiable international standards where it is practical to do so

The challenge of delivering this research program will be tasked to a newly formed committee, known as the Port Cluster Governance Committee (PCGC), chaired by Mr Aznar. The PCGC has as its final objective the research and development of the guide, through the following goals:
• Share-learn-benchmark (SLB) best practice globally
• Examine trends and future of port cluster
• Enhance the diffusion of the excellence philosophy in port cluster
• Connect people who know with those who need to know
• Generate and synthesize knowledge
• Develop networking opportunities
• Obtain new ideas from various port cluster types and various countries.

The PCGC will convene 10 times over the course of Mr Aznar's Chairmanship each time in a different port cluster, each drawn from a different global location and each at a different level of port cluster maturity.

Rafael Aznar commenting on his appointment said:
"I am delighted to accept this exciting position on the Global Institute of Logistics' Global Maritime Logistics Council. As a recognized "Best-in-class" port cluster, Valenciaport is well positioned to aid the Council in its latest Port Cluster Governance research programme. We look forward to a fruitful relationship through the next two years and beyond."

Mr Aznar joins Dr Fu Yuning, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of China Merchant Holdings, who is Chairman of the China chapter of the GMLC.

Global Institute of Logistics

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