SAL’s State Committee Secretaries, Melwyn Noronha (who is also our CEO), Geoff Dalgliesh of Queensland and Charles Masters of Victoria review developments in shipping in their state over 2020.
You can take it as given that COVID loomed large in the shipping-life in each of the three states.
New South Wales
Mr Noronha reported on interactions with empty container management and the empty container supply chain. He also discussed the main issues in the chain and the key objectives of the empty container working group.
Other major issues last year include the saga of the shipping channel service at the Port of Newcastle. This particular issue has been reviewed by many courts and tribunals. Then there are the issue of port fees and the user deeds – issues which continue to provoke controversy in the industry.
Queensland
Mr Dalgliesh notes that port statistics were down for 2020, as expected, owing to COVID. He notes with more enthusiasm that the Port of Brisbane continues to support last mile infrastructure projects and the good news that the new cruise terminal is complete. So when things get back to something approaching normal, the terminal will be ready for business.
Unfortunately, general cargo was down at Townsville although cattle exports were up. Commodities such as mineral concentrates and fertiliser were all up. Major infrastructure continues with channel widening.
Coastal shipping was on the agenda in Queensland and a task force was set up to look at the feasibility of a coastal service.
Victoria
Mr Masters report focused, as may be expected, on the Port of Melbourne. There was a ministerial briefing at the end of January in which infrastructure expenditure was discussed.
Meanwhile, Freight Victoria offered an opportunity to provide input into a review of structures governing ports in the state. The last review was 20 years ago and much has changed in the intervening time. Mr Masters also discussed Blockchain and the hoped-for transparency once it is rolled out.
Ongoing industrial relations issues through the year were discussed and Mr Masters noted a report by global consultants McKinsey on the impact of automation on the workforce. It’s thought-provoking stuff.
Mr Masters also noted and welcomed the thoughtful move by Port Philips Sea Pilots, which provided a ten percent rebate early on in the pandemic when everything was still so uncertain.
Finally, he also discussed the move by the Port of Melbourne to change its tariff structure. That is also very thought-provoking stuff. Shipping Australia is finalising its own submission to the Victorian Essential Services Commission. The deadline for submissions is just a few days away on Monday 01 February! If you want to submit, remember to get your application in soon!
To read all of State Committee reports in full, click here.
