Shipping Australia is pleased to announce that long-standing industry executive, Phillip Holmes, has officially assumed the chair role at Shipping Australia.
Phillip, who is the General Manager of shipping major “K” Line (Australia), assumed the role under the standard Shipping Australia Board Rules of Succession. The holder of the Chair of Shipping Australia is due to change every two years on a rotating basis. Phillip, who was formerly the Deputy Chair, was scheduled to assume the role of Chair in due course.
However, there was a variation in the plan as My Therese Blank, the former Chair and a Board member, took up a role outside the shipping sector and accordingly resigned her Shipping Australia positions. Phillip was then elevated to the role of Chair earlier than scheduled when the role became unexpectedly vacant.
He paid tribute to Ms Blank.
“On behalf of the members of Shipping Australia, I would like to extend our thanks to My Therese for her efforts as part of the Board, and during her term as Chair. I also provide our thanks for her work in advancing the interests of the ocean-going shipping community in Australia. We wish her all the best in her new career,” Phillip said.
He then commented upon his own appointment as the Chair of Shipping Australia.
I am extremely honoured to be given the opportunity to lead the Shipping Australia Board. I look forward to helping to guide Shipping Australia through the period for the benefit of all members. I will look forward to working with our long-serving CEO, Capt Melwyn Noronha, which is certainly a very interesting time in the industry,” he commented.
Capt Noronha commented on Phillip’s appointment.
“Likewise, we too at the Secretariat of Shipping Australia are delighted and honoured to have Phillip at the helm of Shipping Australia.
“Phillip has been a supportive member of Shipping Australia for a number of years. He has always been an active participant in Shipping Australia’s policy, advocacy, and governance. We, as an organisation, are thankful for his involvement.
“Shipping Australia – both the Secretariat and our members – will benefit from his extensive experience in the sector and from his leadership. On behalf of all of the team at the Secretariat, and on behalf of all of the members, I welcome him to the role and I offer him our every support,” Capt Noronha said.
Phillip took a moment to mull over some of the challenges facing the industry, particularly the decarbonisation process facing the global maritime industries, and the technological advances that are shaping every industry.
“These changes will be – and are being – tackled by the global shipping industry head on. Technologies are advancing at a rate of knots, and we look forward to exploring the opportunities generated by technological change in the days to come.
“With 40 years in the shipping industry, it never fails to amaze me just how critical and vital the role of shipping has to an island nation like Australia. The benefits of shipping are astonishing – it is the only industry that can and does deliver products from a marvellous range of goods, from all over the world, at a remarkably low cost, to ordinary everyday Australian families and businesses. And it is in their interests, of course, who we, in the various logistics sectors, ultimately serve. The Australian logistics industries simply would not exist without their custom and support.
“And, finally, we in the shipping industry will look forward to continuing to serve our customers across Australia.”
