The challenges and opportunities for maritime professionals to develop energy-related commerce will be the focus of a national conference next week hosted by the Port of Pensacola.

During the two-day event a series of speakers will review emerging energy technologies, and discuss infrastructure investment strategies for ports to handle and distribute energy-related hardware.

“There’s so much opportunity in this sector for ports of all sizes to find niches that diversify their business portfolio but which also are a good fit for their communities, just as we’ve done,” said Amy Miller, Port of Pensacola director.

Energy sector-related commerce is quickly becoming one of the port’s primary business lines, Miller said.

The port has a contract with Pensacola-based GE Wind Energy to load and ship large, multimillion-dollar wind turbines out of the port.

During the conference, presenters will overview the energy industry today and feature case studies on renewable and non-renewable energy projects at ports.

“From handling components for producing electricity from wind, water, solar and other renewable energy types, to non-renewable energy exports like coal, propane and natural gas… ports are front and center in the energy equation,” said Kurt Nagle, AAPA’s president and CEO.

Additionally, industry experts will discuss energy projects that are considered “hot markets” and also discuss some of the financing tools port officials can use to develop energy export facilities.