The Ports Australia 46th Biennial Conference came to a close yesterday at the Darwin Convention Centre. The conference was attended by over 200 delegates from across the Ports sector, business and government.

Chief executive of Ports Australia Mike Gallacher said the conference exceed expectations and strengthened the sector.

“We were overwhelmed by the attendance and enthusiasm of the delegates who ranged from Ports staff, students, directors and CEOs.”

“The Ports Australia team worked hard to make sure the program engaged the audience and provided value.

“The sector only gets a chance to meet on this scale every two years so I am happy that everyone made the most of it.

“These are uncertain times, Ports are Australia’s gateways facilitating trade and a quality of life. We as a sector need to be organised and prepared to speak out as one in the national interest on issues that impact Ports.

“Over the two days we heard from entrepreneurs to economists, Port operators to border force and across all those presentations it was clear this is a time of great opportunity and great challenges.

“Leadership, innovation and lateral thinking defines our sector and more of these qualities will be needed as we navigate the future.

“I’d also like to thank Terry O’Connor from Landbridge Darwin Port and Eva Lawler, Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics for the Northern Territory Government for hosting us in beautiful Darwin,” Mike Gallacher concluded.

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