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Darwin Port, Port of Brisbane and NSW Ports were among the award winners at the 2025 DCN Australian Shipping & Maritime Awards, held in Sydney.
This year marked the 30th anniversary of the Daily Cargo News’s Australian Shipping & Maritime Industry Awards, first established in 1995. Since then, the annual event has become highly anticipated, recognising outstanding individuals and organisations in the sector.
Once again, Ports Australia is very proud to celebrate the recognition earned by our members for innovation and contributions to the sector.
Port or Terminal of the Year: Darwin Port
With strong growth across every sector and record numbers in vessel visits and pilotage movements, Darwin Port continues to excel as a multi-industry, multi-commodity gateway. It’s this capability and its impact on the Northern Territory economy that secured the award.
Environmental Award: Port of Brisbane
Port of Brisbane received the Environmental Award for its long-term rehabilitation of saltmarsh wetlands, recognising more than a decade of steady work to restore this ecologically significant area.
The latest survey results show improved vegetation health, increased habitat density and mangrove growth. Port of Brisbane is now using the learnings from this project to further its other land rehabilitation projects and share the knowledge with others.
Seafarer Welfare Award: Michael Kelly, NSW Ports
Michael Kelly is a Port Botany marine pilot who was awarded for his simple initiative to help improve the wellbeing of seafarers on arrival in Australia. Recognising the distance between Kurnell and the CBD, Michael introduced preloaded Opal travel cards to allow crews to travel to central Sydney and nearby shopping centres. This initiative was supported by other marine pilots, who personally donated towards the Opal cards and has impacted hundreds of seafarers.
In Michael’s acceptance speech, he noted that seafarers are often overlooked during maritime emergencies and that this program offered rest and connection to crews who would normally go without.
Supply Chain Innovation Award: Svizter Australia
In 2025, Svizter Australia introduced the Svizter Barrington, the first TRAnsverse 3200 tug in the world, into operation at the Port of Newcastle. This tug delivers omnidirectional manoeuvrability, enhanced fuel efficiency and is built for a wide variety of jobs.
Svizter has also invested in a structured familiarisation program for marine pilots and tug masters, using a state-of-the-art simulator located in Newcastle.
Diversity and Inclusion Award: Auriga
Auriga took home the Diversity and Inclusion Award for a number of measures, which have helped create sustainable pathways for women, Indigenous talent and young people. This includes targets for female representation across marine and aviation operations, collaboration with Clontarf and Star Foundation and family relocation policies.
With strong female leadership across the business, Auriga has fostered a holistic approach to diversity and inclusion across all aspects of their aviation and marine services, making them deserving of this award in 2025.
Highly Commended
Congratulations to all Ports Australia members who received recognition at the awards night.
Highly Commended Port or Terminal of the Year: Port of Brisbane and Southern Ports
Highly Commended for Environmental Award: Port Authority of New South Wales
Highly Commended for Safety Award: Michael Randall (Port Philip Sea Pilots)
Highly Commended for Seafarer Welfare Award: Pilbara Ports
Highly Commended for Women in Shipping & Maritime Logistics Award: Sherie Evans (Auriga)
Find out more about the DCN awards and see all winners here.
