Port of Newcastle calls for NSW Government support in approvals, removal of restrictions, so as to lead regional economy

Pictured: Professor Roy Green, speaking on behalf of the Port of Newcastle. Photo credit: Jim Wilson, Shipping Australia.

Port of Newcastle is a couple-of-hundred years old start up, Professor Roy Green told guests at the Shipping Australia NSW Winter 2022 Parliamentary Luncheon yesterday (Thursday 27 May 2022).

While it is well-known that Newcastle is primarily a coal-port, the Professor noted that the port has a variety of other businesses other than coal. It is currently handling around three million tonnes of grain, it handles about 80% of wind turbines, and “fun fact” one-in-five glasses of all orange juice consumed in Australia made its way across the wharves at Newcastle.

In a world that is transitioning to alternative energy sources, he rhetorically queried how long coal can continue. It is important to note, he indicated, that while the port handles about 160 million tonnes of coal each year, it does not invest in coal.

Coal has been central to Newcastle for a long time. There was formerly a large steel works – one of the largest in the British Empire – at Newcastle. When it closed it was a “truly traumatic experience,” the Professor noted. One-in-five locals lost their jobs. But, what saved the city, was coal.

However, he noted, “we are now reaching another turning point. And we cannot wait for the decline of coal.”

Looking forward, he noted that the Port intends to be ready for hydrogen and that he sees a huge role for manufacturing supported by low-cost energy. “We want to be the largest exporter of hydrogen,” he told guests. Newcastle is suitable for hydrogen, he added, owing to its industrial history, the presence of pipelines and other infrastructure, the presence of vacant land at the port and the local manufacturing base.

He also stated that the Port of Newcastle is looking forward to spending its own money on a “large scale automated container port”. He added that Newcastle would then be the only port that could accommodate 1.6km-long trains, possibly double-stacked, and that would also be able to handle ultra-large container ships.

The Port of Newcastle will be able to contribute $2.5bn to the state economy he said, adding that it can lead regional diversification.

Professor Green indicated that government support would be helpful if it took the form of approvals and the removal of restrictions.

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Search

Become a Member

Membership is open to all ship owners, operators and agents both Australian and International providing services to or within Australia.

Upcoming Events

May 8
Shipping Australia QLD Shipping Industry Golf Day
Join friends and colleagues for an enjoyable day, followed by a sumptuous dinner at the 2024 SAL QLD Shipping Industry Golf Day. The Golf Day will once again be held at the Wynnum Golf Club (located in beautiful Bayside and meanders over 31 hectares of picturesque parkland) on 8th May 2024. Ticket price includes: Light...
May 16
Shipping Australia Victoria 2024 Golf Day
The 8th Phil Kelly OAM Perpetual Golf Challenge Latrobe Golf Club, 8 Farm Road, Alphington VIC 3078 Format – 4 Ball Ambrose Thursday 16th May 2024 The 2024 SAL VIC Golf Day will be held on Thursday 16th May 2024 at the scenic Latrobe Golf Club.  Come along and enjoy a great course and scenery. ...

Latest News

Wollongong has a “promising” future for shipping, says NSW Planning Minister
Wollongong, as a centre for industry, mining, and shipping has “promising” future, the Hon Paul Scully MP, Member for Wollongong and the NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces told guests to the Shipping Australia Port Kembla Biennial Luncheon. The Minister told guests that, in January, the Freight Policy Reform Program began and it will...
Shipping Australia Victoria 2024 Golf Day: The 8th Phil Kelly OAM Perpetual Golf Challenge
The 2024 SAL VIC Golf Day will be held on Thursday 16th May 2024 at the scenic Latrobe Golf Club. Come along and enjoy a great course and scenery. Latrobe Golf Club is a beautiful course in the leafy suburb of Alphington, just 10 Km from Melbourne’s CBD. It is bordered on two sides by...

Latest Magazine

Shipping Australia – Annual Review 2023
January, 2024

Subscribe to the Signal Newsletter

Be the first to know about releases and industry news and insights or catch up on any editions you missed.