Shipping Australia was saddened to learn of the tragic death of Fremantle Ports CEO, Michael Parker, who died suddenly this week. He leaves behind a wife and four children.
WA Ports Minister, David Michael MLA, was reported as saying he was: “shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden passing”. He was reported as adding: “My thoughts go out to his family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time as well as to staff at the other state port authorities, many of whom knew and worked with Michael over many years. Since becoming Minister for Ports last June I have had the privilege of working closely with Michael, who I found to be a loyal, diligent and hardworking chief executive officer. He will be sorely missed.”
Fremantle Ports, owned by Western Australian Government, was reported as saying: ‘Our focus today has been ensuring Michael’s family, his spouse Wendy, and their four children Ben, Jackson, Sophie and Dan, have our full support and our people receive the care and time they require to process this news… While at the helm of Fremantle Ports, Mr Parker was a dynamic and engaging leader who was extremely well-liked by staff throughout the organisation. Mr Parker was deeply committed to the safety and wellbeing of all people and led the way in his demonstration of these values”.
Mr Parker joined Fremantle Ports as CEO in May 2021 after a near 26-year period in a wide variety of roles at bauxite, alumina and aluminum products company, Alcoa.