Biennial Conference 2026 

Every two years, Ports Australia brings together the nation’s ports community for its flagship Biennial Conference. In 2026, we’re bringing the Conference to Sydney for a truly global edition.

date

Sept 22-24 2026

Venue

Sydney, Australia

Globally Connected,
Future Focused

Now in its 49th occurrence, the Biennial Conference is the key event that brings together port professionals, terminal operators, equipment/service providers and a wide range of supply chain experts, together with government agencies who operate in our sector. It’s where industry leaders come together to share insights, spark innovation and shape the future of our maritime sector. 2026 will explore the theme: Globally Connected, Future Focused.

Join us in Sydney for Australia’s leading port industry event.

Registrations now open!

Sponsorship Opportunities

For all sponsorship opportunities, download the prospectus below. Sponsorship and trade exhibition tables are almost sold out, so book now!

Download prospectus

Sponsorship offers exclusive opportunities to showcase your organisation’s expertise, products, and innovations to a highly engaged audience, while strengthening your connections across the Australian and international ports network.

Contact

Zara Bryan

zbryan@portsaustralia.com.au

Speakers
_{(more to be announed)}

Jens Meier has been CEO of the HamburgPort Authority (HPA) since 2008. With more than 25 years of experience in the port, logistics,finance and IT sectors, the computer science graduate is a recognized leader inthe maritime industry. Hepreviously held board positions at Fiege Holding, the tts Group, Systematics AG(later EDS), and Software Design & Management AG (Ernst & Young Group).In 2019, Jens Meier was elected Vice President for Europe of the InternationalAssociation of Ports and Harbors (IAPH), later also assuming temporaryvice-presidency for the Africa region. He was elected IAPH President in 2023and was re-elected for a second term in October 2025. He is a frequent speaker with a largemedia outreach, in particular on future maritime affairs and in the area ofdigitalization. Jens Meier isa founding board member of the Hamburg Informatics Forum and member on severalsupervisory boards and boards of trustees. From 2015 to 2018 he served as president of HamburgerSport Verein e.V. (HSV).

Mike Gallacher

Chief Executive Officer

Brendan Webb was appointed as the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of Ports Victoria in 2022. He brings more than two decades of experiencein operational leadership roles across transport, logistics, engineering, and mining. Prior to his currentrole,

Mike Gallacher

Chief Executive Officer

Brendan Webb was appointed as the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of Ports Victoria in 2022. He brings more than two decades of experiencein operational leadership roles across transport, logistics, engineering, and mining. Prior to his currentrole,

Mike Gallacher

Chief Executive Officer

Brendan Webb was appointed as the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of Ports Victoria in 2022. He brings more than two decades of experiencein operational leadership roles across transport, logistics, engineering, and mining. Prior to his currentrole,

Mike Gallacher

Chief Executive Officer

Brendan Webb was appointed as the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of Ports Victoria in 2022. He brings more than two decades of experiencein operational leadership roles across transport, logistics, engineering, and mining. Prior to his currentrole,

Mike Gallacher

Chief Executive Officer

Brendan Webb was appointed as the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of Ports Victoria in 2022. He brings more than two decades of experiencein operational leadership roles across transport, logistics, engineering, and mining. Prior to his currentrole,

Mike Gallacher

Chief Executive Officer

Brendan Webb was appointed as the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of Ports Victoria in 2022. He brings more than two decades of experiencein operational leadership roles across transport, logistics, engineering, and mining. Prior to his currentrole,

Mike Gallacher

Chief Executive Officer

Brendan Webb was appointed as the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of Ports Victoria in 2022. He brings more than two decades of experiencein operational leadership roles across transport, logistics, engineering, and mining. Prior to his currentrole,

Mike Gallacher

Chief Executive Officer

Jens Meier has been CEO of the Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) since 2008. With more than 25 years of experience in the port, logistics, finance and IT sectors, the computer science graduate is a recognized leader in the maritime industry. He previously held board positions at Fiege Holding, the tts Group, Systematics AG (later EDS), and Software Design & Manage-ment AG (Ernst & Young Group). In 2019, Jens Meier was elected Vice President for Europe of the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH), later also assuming temporary vice-presidency for the Africa region. He was elected IAPH President in 2023 and was re-elected for a second term in October 2025. He is a frequent speaker with a large media out-reach, in particular on future maritime affairs and in the area of digitalization. Jens Meier is a founding board member of the Hamburg Informatics Forum and member on several supervi-sory boards and boards of trustees. From 2015 to 2018 he served as president of Hamburger Sport Verein e.V. (HSV).

Jens Meier

CEO, Hamburg Port Authority and President, IAPH

Ong Kim Pong is the Group CEO of PSA International, responsible for the company’s global performance and strategic growth alongside the Senior Management Council. Since joining PSA in 1997, he has held leadership roles across Europe and Asia, driving PSA’s international expansion and service excellence. Committed to strengthening Singapore’s position as a leading global hub, Kim Pong serves as a member of the National Research Foundation Board, the Manufacturing Trade & Connectivity Domain International Advisory Panel and the Economic Strategy Review Committee on Global Competitiveness. He is the Chairman of ALPS, Singapore’s public healthcare supply chain agency. A 2024 Public Service Medal recipient, Kim Pong also nurtures future leaders through his roles on the NUS Business School Management Advisory Board and as an adjunct professor at NUS.

Ong Kim Pong

Group CEO, PSA International

Patrick Verhoeven is managing director of the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH). The organisation represents 202 ports and 175 port-related businesses in 94 countries. Prior to joining IAPH in 2017, Patrick spent twenty-four years in Brussels representing the interests of shipowners, port authorities, terminal operators and ship agents at EU level. He started his career in 1991 with the Antwerp-based ship agent Grisar & Velge. From 2019 to 2022, Patrick served on the supervisory board of the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority as deputy chairman. Patrick holds a PhD in applied economics and a bachelor’s in law from the University of Antwerp. He is associate professor at the university’s Centre for Maritime and Air Transport Management (C-MAT).

Patrick Verhoeven

Managing Director, IAPH

Register Now!

Early Bird prices end Tuesday 30 June 2026.

EARLY BIRD
MEMBER PRICE

$1900 AUD (incl. GST)

EARLY BIRD
NON - MEMBER PRICE

$2300 AUD (incl. GST)

Contact Us

EMAIL

ports@essentialexperiences.com.au

PHONE

+61 7 3217 5353

Accommodation

The Biennial Conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency Sydney.

Discounted accommodation is available during the registration process when you book via the Conference registration link.

For help with your booking, please email ports@essentialexperiences.com.au

Find out more about the Hyatt Regency Sydney

Plan your itinerary

Sealink is offering delegates and partners attending the Ports Australia Conference a 10% discount on select Harbour experiences.
‍
To redeem, use promo code PORTSAUS10 for bookings scheduled during the Biennial Conference week.
‍_{Valid for new bookings only. Not valid with any other discount/special offer/promotion. Not valid on attraction combos.}

Hop-On Hop-Off Sydney Harbour Explorer

Taronga Zoo Express

Harbour Sightseeing (60–90 mins)

Our Sponsors

Join Australia's peak industry body representing the interests of port authorities and corporations, equipment and service providers in Australia.

Become A MEMBER

Ports Australia acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of this nation. We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the lands on which our ports are located and where we conduct our business. We pay our respects to ancestors and Elders, past, present and emerging. Ports Australia is committed to respecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ unique cultural and spiritual relationships to the land, waters and seas and their rich contribution to society.