AS president of the International Association of Ports & Harbours (IAPH), Hamburg Port Authority CEO Jens Meier called for greater cooperation and a productive knowledge sharing, reports Hamburg Business.

"Sustainability is not a competitive factor," said Mr Meier, "challenges such as sustainability or resilience to cyber-attacks can only be solved jointly."

More than 180 ports and 150 related companies in some 90 countries are part of the network. "And I see a great willingness to co-operate," he said.

Mr Meier cited the declaration on the decarbonisation of global shipping, signed at the Hamburg Sustainability Conference (HSC) in October, which promotes green shipping corridors.

"This declaration clearly is highly visible worldwide. When I was in Miami and Seattle, I was asked whether the respective ports could still join. They can join during the next HSC in June."

The HPA is working with other ports, industry leaders and cyber security experts to share knowledge and best practice about potential cyber threats.