More than 350 port industry leaders and decision makers gathered in Hobart this week for Ports Australia’s 48th Biennial Conference.
Under the theme ‘Navigating new horizons, adapting for tomorrow’s challenges’, the conference brings together national and international port and supply chain executives, thought leaders and government representatives to explore key issues impacting the global maritime sector.
Opening the conference, Minister the Hon Catherine King acknowledged the massive contribution of Australian ports to the economy.
“As well as facilitating international trade and the movement of goods throughout the region, our ports are strategic assets and critical infrastructure, they are vital to sustaining our island nation,’ said Minister King.
“The most recent report from Ports Australia shows exactly this. Ports move an overwhelming 99 per cent of Australia’s international trade by volume, and importantly, over 694,000 local jobs are facilitated by Australia’s port activities. This works out to a staggering one in every 20 jobs across the nation.”
Delegates heard from Hamburg Port Authority CEO and President of International Associations of Ports and Habors (IAPH) Jens Meier, and IAPH Managing Director Patrick Verhoeven on the importance of leadership in the task of fostering stronger data collaboration to work towards collective goals in the industry, such as decarbonisation.
The conference also provides meaningful connection between Australia’s port leaders and pacific neighbors, with delegates attending from Fiji, PNG, New Zealand, Solomon Islands and Tonga.
Ports Australia was pleased to welcome notable guests including The Hon Sevenitini Toumo’ua, Minister for Infrastructure, Kingdom of Tonga.
“One of the most valuable things we can do in our port industry is connect and collaborate to address common challenges,” said Ports Australia CEO Mike Gallacher.
“This year, we’ve welcomed international guests as far as Germany who have travelled all this way to connect with the Australian ports industry and we have much to gain by learning from each other. We’re bringing Oceania’s ports together to strengthen our network and help our pacific neighbours where we can.”
Delegates were welcomed by Major Sponsors, TasPorts, with a tour of Port of Hobart kicking off the conference agenda yesterday.
“Tasmanian ports facilitate around 8000 jobs and $2.5 billion in international trade with 99 per cent of Tasmania’s freight task moves across our ports,” said TasPorts CEO Anthony Donald.
“This is not a task we take lightly. Proactive investment is not a choice, but a necessity, and the ports we envision tomorrow must be capable of more than handling larger vessels or faster shipments, they must be innovative hubs of technology, sustainability and growth, which is directly in line with TasPorts’ strategic plan across its ports.”
The full conference program is available on the Ports Australia website.
ENDS
Media enquiries: Zara Bryan | zbryan@portsaustralia.com.au
