There has been a trend worldwide in high profile investments associated with new port projects. These projects are capital intensive and require a sound analysis of the regulations and the main challenges to obtain governmental licences required to initiate operations. A panel composed by ports sector lawyers and executives will compare the different licensing and authorisation regimes in Latin America, US, Europe, the Far East and Africa and comment on how it is possible to improve the legal environment to optimise ‘green field’ port projects in countries where there is a need to improve port infrastructure. Session Chair Godofredo Mendes Vianna Kincaid Mendes Vianna Advogados, Rio de Janeiro; Senior Vice-Chair, IBA Maritime and Transport Law Committee Speakers Geoffrey Conlin, Holman Fenwick Willan, São Paulo Mike Igbokwe San FciArb, Mike Igbokwe (SAN) & Co, Lagos; Regional Representative Africa, IBA Maritime and Transport Law Committee Marcos Ludwig, Veirano Advogados, Rio de Janeiro Lawrence Teh, Dentons Rodyk & Davidson, Singapore; Council Member, IBA Legal Practice Division Flavio Valle, Legal Director, Prumo Logistica, Rio de Janeiro Su Yin Anand, Ince & Co, Hong Kong