Randall Bonner, General Manager Group Assets, Flinders Port Holdings, writes:
COVID induced disruption to cargo shipping was minimal, while there have been virtually no shutdowns of major ports. In South Australia, where we own and operate the Flinders Adelaide Container Terminal (FACT) and six regional ports, all of our operations have continued throughout the pandemic, which is testimony to our 700 staff and the pandemic response plan we were able to quickly implement.
We were able to continue [several] major capital works projects. In Q1 we welcomed the first Post-Panamax Vessels to FACT, after the successful completion of the $80 million Outer Harbor Channel Widening.
2020 saw the continuation of extensive redevelopment works at Inner Harbor. The Harbor’s Berth 20 is being redeveloped for general purpose use and facilitating grain exporter, Cargill. We have also invested in excess of $7 million in new plant and equipment to ensure capacity and efficiency in delivering services to our customers.
The new purchases include new container handling equipment at FACT and a new mobile harbour crane for Flinders Logistics at Berth 29.
Overall, we had a strong year in 2020 but we are aware that the threat to business continuity from COVID remains. The goal in 2021 will be to continue delivering our long-term strategy while keeping the systems and protocols in place to keep our people safe, and trade flowing.
Read Mr Bonner’s full insight here.
Editor’s Note: the above article has been lightly edited.
