thedcn.com.au
First published in 1891
The voice of Australian shipping & maritime logistics
34 No end in sight for
ro-ro trade delays
48 Funding the
biosecurity task
40 The green race
to sustainability
September 2023
Liner trades to North America
Chaos
& recovery
thedcn.com.au
September 2023
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Contents
COLUMNS
FEATURES
26
Liner trades to North America
Rebuilding trust after three years of chaos
34
Ro-ro & car carriers
A rough year for the ro-ro trades to Australia
40
Green shipping
Our position in the race to create a sustainable maritime sector
48
Biosecurity & quarantine
Funding the biosecurity task to maintain trade flows
26
34
48
18 Industry opinion
Community protection and
trade facilitation as illicit
importations rise
20 PANSW forum
Local stakeholders talk safe and
efficient port operations
22 Industry opinion
How to minimise the threat of
hitchhiker pests
24 Technology
Seafarers in the age of
automation
56 Trade law
The costs of trade assistance
58 Industry analytics
Trends at Australia’s biggest
container ports
60 Maritime country profile
Yemen
62 Out & about
Shipping Australia’s NSW
parliamentary luncheon
64 Maritime history
DCN’s coverage of the
Great Kanto Earthquake in
September 1923
66 The grill
In conversation with AIMS chief
executive officer Eric Perez
40
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thedcn.com.au
September 2023
EDITORIAL
From the editor
NEWS
INDUSTRY..
To keep up to date with the latest shipping and maritime
logistics news visit the Daily Cargo News website at:
thedcn.com.au
Ian Ackerman
Editor, Daily Cargo News
DCN; Oligtnop
Biosecurity is a perennial issue for importers here in Australia. The
authorities, quite reasonably, implement rules aiming to keep our
continent free of pests that aren’t already here.
And it is important to keep our defences up because some of
these pests, if they get loose, could cause severe economic and
environmental damage. However, the border authorities must
strike a balance between allowing trade to flow with minimal
impediments and protecting the biosecurity of Australia.
In this issue we have examinations of these issues from several
different perspectives.
On page 48, we have our annual biosecurity feature, which
gives an overview of the situation over the past 12 months.
Also, in writing the feature on the ro-ro trades (page 34),
I found that biosecurity issues were one of the factors that
contributed to the current congestion issues in the sector. There
are several other nuggets of biosecurity commentary sprinkled
throughout this issue.
We’ve also got our annual update on liner trades to the
Americas – wherein the estimable Dale Crisp takes a deep dive into
what’s happening on the other side of the Pacific.
Elsewhere in this issue, we have a piece about a terrible
earthquake that devastated Japan a century ago. Turn to our
history section on page 64 to get the full story.
The brown marmorated stink bug and
other so-called hitchhiker pests have
been causing issues at the border
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thedcn.com.au
PUBLISHER
Lindsay Reed lindsay.reed@thedcn.com.au
EDITOR
Ian Ackerman ian.ackerman@thedcn.com.au
JOURNALIST
Abby Williams abby.williams@thedcn.com.au
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Lee McLachlan
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September 2023
News in brief
Full details at thedcn.com.au
Svitzer Australia
Svitzer Australia has named Videlina
Georgieva as the company’s new
managing director.
Ms Georgieva has been Svitzer’s global
chief commercial officer for the past three
years. Prior to this role, she led strategy
and business development functions
within the company.
Mr Noes was announced as the new
executive vice-president of DP World’s
Oceania business.
Mr Noes has led Svitzer Australia for
the past five years, and he has worked
within the wider Maersk group for more
than 30 years.
Svitzer said Ms Georgieva brings to
her new role a deep understanding of its
business and operations.
Svitzer CEO Kasper Friis Nilaus
congratulated Ms Georgieva on her
appointment and said it was fantastic to be
able to appoint internally for the role.
“Based in Sydney and with her long
tenure and strong track record, Videlina
is excellently placed to continue driving
Svitzer’s strategic focus in Australia and
Papua New Guinea,” Mr Nilaus said.
“This includes continuing to unlock
value for our customers, for instance
through partnering with them on
their decarbonisation agendas. We are
also bringing innovative new assets
and towage infrastructure such as our
revolutionary new TRAnsverse tug to the
region, which will help drive the future of
towage in Australia.”
Mr Nilaus also thanked Mr Noes for his
leadership of Svitzer Australia.
“Nicolaj has led Svitzer through
significant change during his tenure
and is held in high regard by colleagues,
customers and stakeholders alike for his
leadership,” Mr Nilaus said.
“He leaves the business in a strong
position and with a talented, experienced
team in place across the region.”
Ms Georgieva said: “I am delighted to
be back with the team at Svitzer Australia
and to be taking on this role in such an
important market for our business.
“There is clear opportunity to create
further value with and for our customers
and communities in Australia and Papua
New Guinea.
“The team here in Australia has the
passion, experience and skills to achieve
this, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to lead
them at this time.”
Svitzer said it is in the process of
recruiting a permanent successor to Ms
Georgieva’s role of CCO, to be announced
in due course.
PORTS VICTORIA
CEO RESIGNS,
TAKES ROLE AT NQBP
Brendan Webb has announced he
is stepping down as chief executive
officer of Ports Victoria.
Mr Webb is leaving Ports Victoria
in September to take up the role
of chief executive officer at North
Queensland Bulk Ports.
He was the inaugural CEO of Ports
Victoria and led the organisation
through its formation.
Mr Webb said: “I have appreciated
the opportunity and enjoyed leading
Ports Victoria through its initial
development.
“I want to thank the Ports Victoria
staff, the board of directors and the
minister for ports and freight for their
support during my time as CEO.”
Ports Victoria chair Howard
Ronaldson said: “I thank Brendan
for his contribution as CEO of Ports
Victoria.
“His leadership during an
important period gives the
organisation a strong base to
continue developing into its
important leadership role within
Victoria’s port system.”
A statement from Ports Victoria
said Mr Webb raised awareness of
navigational safety matters and
gained commitment from the wider
port community on these issues.
One of Port’s Victoria’s major
achievements under Mr Webb’s
leadership was the development
of the first comprehensive pilotage
standard for Victoria.
Ports Victoria said arrangements
would be made for an interim chief
executive officer appointment while
a recruitment process is undertaken.
Mr Webb was announced as the
inaugural CEO of the organisation in
November 2021. He had previously
held general manager roles at NQBP.
New managing director at Svitzer Australia
Videlina Georgieva, managing director, Svitzer Australia
thedcn.com.au
September 2023
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The federal government has opened
consultation for a proposed offshore
wind zone off the Illawarra coast.
The government said it identified
the region for its major port
infrastructure, strong offshore wind
resource and role as an industrial and
manufacturing hub.
The proposed offshore wind area
covers 1461 square kilometres with
the potential to generate up to 4.2
gigawatts of energy.
The zone would be at least 10
kilometres from the shore and out to
30 kilometres at Kiama.
Federal minister for climate change
and energy Chris Bowen said the new
energy industry has “transformative
potential” for the Illawarra.
“Offshore wind is energy rich and
jobs rich but despite having some of
the best wind resources in the world,
Australia doesn’t currently have any
offshore wind,” he said.
“This presents a huge economic
opportunity for the regions that help
power Australia – like the Illawarra –
to continue to power our nation for
generations to come.
“This is a genuine consultation and I
encourage all community members to
get involved and have their say on the
proposed zone.”
NSW Ports CEO Marika Calfas
welcomed the beginning of the
consultation period, highlighting
the role Port Kembla would play in
delivering offshore wind projects.
NSW Ports in February released
concept plans for a facility at
Port Kembla’s outer harbour that
illustrated how the port could be used
to support the offshore wind sector.
“NSW Ports stands ready to
work with the NSW and federal
governments on measures to provide
investment certainty for offshore
wind projects – and the usage of our
port facilities – to underpin future
infrastructure needs,” Ms Calfas said.
Six information sessions throughout
the Illawarra intend to give industry
groups, businesses, workers and
residents the chance to ask questions
and give feedback.
The federal government noted
communities often have questions
about environmental impacts and
shipping.
In addition to the Illawarra, the
Hunter and the Southern Ocean, the
government has previously announced
the Bass Strait region off Northern
Tasmania, and the Indian Ocean
region off Bunbury as regions that are
earmarked for offshore wind zones.
Consultation opens for Illawarra offshore wind zone
thedcn.com.au
10
September 2023
NEWS IN BRIEF
Patrick Terminals ; Ports North
NEW CEO AT
PORTS NORTH
Ports North in late July appointed
Richard Stevenson as its new chief
executive officer.
Ports North said the organisation
appointed Mr Stevenson after an
extensive recruitment process. Mr
Stevenson was previously general
manager – operations at Ports North.
In his new executive role, he
succeeds Chris Boland, who stepped
down on 30 June after a significant
amount of time at the company.
Ports North chair Russell Beer said
he was delighted with Mr Stevenson’s
appointment, highlighting his
“wealth of experience” and deep
understanding of the business.
“Richard is a local to the region
and has been employed by Ports
North since 2013 where he has done
great things,” Mr Beer said in a social
media post.
“Throughout Richard’s time with
us he has demonstrated that he has
significant leadership capabilities.
He also brings an excellent
understanding of the Far North
region, Ports North’s business and
its stakeholders.
“This appointment marks an
exciting new chapter for Ports North.”
Mr Stevenson said he was excited
to take on the role.
“These are exciting times for
the organisation as it works with
stakeholders to progress critical
regional development opportunities
such as the Cairns Marine Precinct
and our regional ports,” he said.
“Ports North is a fantastic
organisation with great people ...
and I welcome the opportunity to
work with all of our stakeholders to
take the business forward.”
Richard Stevenson, CEO, Ports North
MAERSK RAINBOW CONTAINER
COMES TO AUSTRALIA
Maersk’s elusive rainbow container turned up at Port Botany in August.
Patrick Terminals welcomed the 40-foot symbol of diversity and inclusion at its
Sydney AutoStrad.
The container has been making its way around the world since 2021. Somewhere
along the supply chain, another 20-foot rainbow container is also on a world tour.
Maersk painted the containers to symbolise its stand on creating a culture
where all employees, partners and customers feel welcomed and can be
themselves without judgment.
Patrick said it also supports a diverse and inclusive work culture.
“Patrick Terminals is committed to a culture of diversity and inclusion where
everyone is welcome no matter their race, gender, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation
or religion,” it said.
Patrick said the container would visit various locations across the Sydney
terminal before continuing on its journey.
In early August, an industrial action ballot filed by the Australian Maritime Officers
Union received unanimous support from the Poseidon Sea Pilots workforce in Brisbane.
The vote gave PSP pilots the all-clear to launch industrial action at the port. The
union announced a 24-hour strike planned for 24 August, but later called it off
as negotiations for a new enterprise agreement continued. Negotiations were still
underway at the time of writing.
The AMOU filed a ballot order application with the Fair Work Commission on 22 June
after a period of slow-moving enterprise agreement negotiations with PSP. The union and
employer had been discussing an EA for around 10 months by that stage.
All voters supported bans on driving company vehicles for 24 hours, bans on overtime
work and bans on the performance of more than one pilot job between 1800 and 0600 for
an indefinite period.
They also supported bans on the performance of work when a pilot’s boarding time is
changed within 12 hours of their original scheduled boarding time. All but one supported
an unlimited number of bans on the training of pilots for an indefinite period.
Negotiations continued during several sessions between the union and the employer at
the Fair Work Commission.
Poseidon Sea Pilots and AMOU
locked in EA negotiations