Port of Townsville, Port of Brisbane and Port Authority of NSW were among the award winners at the 2024 DCN Australian Shipping & Maritime Awards, alongside other highly commended ports.
Innovative port projects are shaping a brighter future for the global shipping and maritime industry. From enhancing seafarer welfare to record-breaking infrastructure projects, these ports have received commendation for their groundbreaking solutions to challenges faced across the sector.
The Daily Cargo News introduced the Australian Shipping & Maritime Industry Awards in 1995. Since then, the annual event has become highly anticipated, recognising outstanding individuals and organisations in the sector. This year, the 29th DCN Awards ceremony took place in Melbourne on 21 November 2024.
Among the many accolades awarded, Ports Australia is thrilled to celebrate the recognition earned by its member ports for their outstanding contributions to the sector.
Port of Townsville – Winner, Port or Terminal of the Year
Taking out the coveted award of ‘Port or Terminal of the Year’ 2024 was Port of Townsville. Established in 1864, Port of Townsville has positioned itself as a leading exporter of copper, zinc, lead, sugar, fertiliser and molasses, a strategic defence port and growing cruise port.
What stood out to the judges about Ports of Townsville’s applications was the remarkable achievement of handling more than $12 billion worth of commodities last financial year and their ambitious plans for triple trade in the coming decades.
This year, Port of Townsville will complete the first stage of the $1.6 billion Port Expansion Project, the $251 million Channel Upgrade project—the largest infrastructure project in its history—as well as commence early works on construction of a new $47 million Renewable Energy Laydown Area.
It’s been a big year of growth for Port of Townsville, featuring record numbers in motor vehicle imports and their biggest cruise season ahead.
“North Queensland is poised for an era of transformative growth in critical minerals, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing and mining,” said CEO Ranee Crosby.
“The Port stands ready to meet the rising demand for advanced port infrastructure to help to support a new frontier for economic development in our region.”
In 2023, this award was given to Southern Ports for its exponential transformation across its trade, workforce and sustainability.
Port of Brisbane & DHI Seaport Pty Ltd – Winner, Environmental Award
Together with DHI Seaport, Port of Brisbane was awarded the Environmental Award for their Green Button project.
Green Button is an exciting initiative that uses technology to optimise a vessel’s target speed to reduce emissions as it travels through Port of Brisbane’s ~90km shipping channel, with very positive trial results reported so far.
With shipping emissions comprising about 98% of Port of Brisbane’s Scope 3 emissions, Green Button creates the potential to drive significant emissions reductions, benefiting the Port, community and environment.
The trial has been a collaborative effort led by Port of Brisbane and DHI Seaport, with invaluable input from MSQ, Pilots and the Port’s shipping line customers, Maersk and CMA CGM.
Port of Brisbane – Highly Commended, Port or Terminal of the Year
Port of Brisbane was also highly commended for this category after a record year for containers (1.61m TEU). The Port also achieved net zero emissions, a major increase in rail services at the Brisbane Multimodal Terminal and 4 brand new property developments supporting the local logistics industry.
Port Authority of NSW – Winner, Seafarers Welfare Award (Awarded to CEO, Captain Philip Holliday) | Highly Commended, Safety Award | Highly Commended, Women in Shipping & Maritime Logistics Award (Awarded to Marine Pilot Josephine Clark)
CEO Captain Philip Holliday was awarded the Seafarers Welfare Award for spearheading the $2.5 million Seafarers Welfare Fund, which supports services to the invisible workforce that delivers 99% of Australia’s trade.
The Seafarer Welfare Fund initiative is a five-year, $2.5 million fund orchestrated by Port Authority of NSW, NSW Ports and Port of Newcastle to provide funding for a range of services and programs such as healthcare, mental health resources and administrative needs for seafarers during their time in NSW.
“The maritime industry is driven by seafarers and it is one of the toughest jobs in the world. Seafarers are the backbone of our everyday lives, and I am incredibly proud that the commitment we made to make seafarers’ lives in port and on shore just a little bit easier has been recognised,” said Captain Philip Holliday.
Port Authority of NSW was also Highly Commended in the Women in Shipping & Logistics category for Marine Pilot Josephine Clark and the Safety category for Port Authority of NSW’s ladder safety protocol.
Southern Ports – Highly Commended, Safety Award | Highly Commended, Seafarers Welfare Award
Southern Ports was Highly Commended for the categories of Safety and Seafarers Welfare. Over the past five years, Southern Ports has worked with its staff and contractors to completely transform its safety culture and has gone above and beyond to improve the seafarer experience for the 18,000 seafarers who visit its ports each year.
Southern Ports has also more than halved its total recordable injury frequency rate, while workplace surveys now show safety is a top priority among the organisation of more than 340 staff.
Pilbara Ports – Highly Commended, Maritime Services Award (Awarded to CEO, Samuel McSkimming)
CEO Samuel McSkimming was nominated for the Maritime Services Award for his commitment towards achieving gender equity. Pilbara Ports’ commitment and leadership towards positive diversity and inclusive outcomes are outlined in its Diversity and Inclusion Plan, which was released in November 2023.
In 2023-24, the number of women in leadership roles at Pilbara Ports increased from 18 per cent to 31 per cent.

Congratulations to all award winners and nominees. This sector-wide recognition celebrates the exceptional work, innovation and dedication of our ports and maritime sectors.
View the full summary of award recipients here.
Ports Australia is proud to have such renowned and forward-thinking organisations as part of its network. Their successes underscore the collective strength and global reach of Australia’s thriving ports industry.