The Port Authority of NSW has celebrated 10 years in the industry!
Shipping Australia was pleased to attend a small celebration by the Port Authority of NSW which celebrated 10 years of activity.
During that time, the Authority has facilitated the safe movement of over four million tonnes of cement through Bays Port, which is enough to supply 300,000 homes or a freeway from Melbourne to Sydney and back. It has also facilitated 16,000 vessel visits and over 25 million containers through Port Botany. Over 1.6 billion tonnes (mostly coal) have been shipped out of barley and 2.5 million vehicles have been moved over the wharf at Port Kembla. In all, the Port Authority has helped facilitate the movement of about $1 trillion worth of trade for the state of New South Wales.
PA NSW CEO, Capt. Phillip Holliday addressed guests. Referring to the vast amount of trade which supports the NSW economy and which has been handled by the six ports under the Authority’s jurisdiction, he noted that the work of the Port Authority is not often noted, “which is goods at it would otherwise mean something has gone wrong,” he quipped.
Capt. Holliday thanked all the key stakeholders including staff and customers, he asserted that delivery of services is s “combined effort,” with the team and partners. He also noted that the Port Authority has marked “many achievements,” over the last ten years – it has kept ports open and has kept trade moving despite the many challenges, such as the incident with the Portland Bay.
He also discussed the Bays Port area, which encompasses both Glebe Island and White Bay, in Sydney’s inner west. Bays Port is the “last deepwater” port in Sydney and one ship can take the equivalent of 1,500 trucks’ worth of dry bulk. The Glebe Island port hardstand is supporting many major infrastructure projects in the area, such as the Sydney metro, he told guests, adding, “it’s an exciting time ahead of us”.
Minister Jo Haylen, Member of the Legislative Assembly, Member for Summer Hill and the NSW Minister for Transport was a guest speaker.
Minister Haylen thanked the PA NSW for its decade of service declaring that its work is “critical for the state”, adding that if the state does not bring in materials such as gypsum (used in building materials), sugar, and other commodities, then it is NSW households that bear the burden.
Port Authority Chair David Marchant AM thanked the commitment of the staff, noting that they work in dangerous situations. He also thanked customers. Mr Marchant also talked of PA NSW’s commitment to efficient improvements and to the environment. He added that it is a privilege to be the chair “of such a successful agency”.