More than seventy representatives from the economic and financial departments of port authorities are meeting today and tomorrow in Santander for the eighteenth coordination conference, organised by the Port Authority of Santander (APS) and Puertos del Estado. The focus of the discussions includes the challenges facing the sector, such as financial planning, the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), the international economic climate, the application of artificial intelligence in financial management, and the extension of concession periods.
The president of APS, César Díaz, welcomed the port professionals, acknowledging the "important role" that economic and financial departments play in the present and future of the port system. He stated that these departments are "a key piece" in ensuring "financial sustainability, effective resource use, and the investment capacity of port authorities."
"The competitiveness of a port does not depend solely on its infrastructure but also on its ability to intelligently manage its resources and anticipate the future," Díaz added. He emphasised that their contribution is "fundamental" for reinforcing rigorous and transparent economic management, which are principles that should guide public institutions.
Díaz was accompanied by Manuel Arana, director of Planning and Development at Puertos del Estado; María Jesús Calvo, deputy director of Business Plans and Economic Finance at Puertos del Estado; and Santiago Díaz Fraile, director of APS. He also recognised the value of the professionals working in ports, stating that "their specialisation and commitment" are crucial for navigating a changing economic environment and increasingly complex management needs.
