The 2023 DCN Australian Shipping & Maritime Industry Awards was held this
year in the Harbour City, where figures from across the Australian shipping
and maritime industry gathered to recognise the best of the year – and enjoy
an evening of fine food, delicious drinks and conversation. DCN extends thanks
to all sponsors of the event, including Major Host Sponsor NSW Ports
– without whom this special event would have been impossible.
thedcn.com.au
December 23
Ms Calfas gives the welcome address
Marika Calfas, NSW Ports CEO
SW Ports is delighted to once again be the major sponsor of
this pre-eminent industry event. It is an event that connects
all parts of our maritime supply chains and brings together
friends and colleagues.
Ports, maritime, shipping and supply chains are words
now firmly entrenched in public conversation. Activities that were
once hidden from view are now a deliberate topic of discussion –
brought on initially by the pandemic but continuing to this day.
However, what’s remained unchanged is the need for our
industry to have long-term, dependable planning to ensure we can
continue to support people and businesses across the country.
That’s why earlier this year, NSW Ports released our 40 year
Watch an interview with
NSW Ports CEO Marika Calfas
Master Plan, which explores future trade trends and outlines the
requirements to support competitive and cost-effective movement
of cargo, while reducing emissions and minimising impacts.
There’s one thing about the future that is certain – our industry
will continue to be critical to the lives and livelihoods of all
Australians and despite the challenges ahead, we will always have
an essential role to play in the nation’s economy – something for
which we can all be proud.
These awards afford us the opportunity to recognise and
celebrate the industry’s many 2023 highlights and achievements.
I congratulate all of this year’s award winners, highly
commended recipients and nominees.
Major Host Sponsor
2023 SHIPPING & MARITIME INDUSTRY AWARDS
Jillian
Carson-Jackson
Chair of the DCN
Awards judging panel
Angela Gillham
CEO, Maritime
Industry Australia
Melwyn Noronha
CEO,
Shipping Australia
Sue Tomic
Chair, Supply Chain &
Logistics Association
of Australia
Paul Zalai
Director, Freight &
Trade Alliance/
Secretariat, APSA
Margaret
Barbouttis
Policy and
Operations Director,
Ports Australia
Ian Ackerman
Editor,
Daily Cargo News
We would like to acknowledge the
judging panel, which reviewed hundreds
of award nominations from right across
Australia. The panel members represent
virtually every facet of our industry.
Judging panel
Scott Carson
Chief Executive
Officer, International
Forwarders and
Customs Brokers
Association of
Australia
Welcome to the Winners Booklet for the 2023 Australian Shipping & Maritime
Industry Awards, held this year in Sydney.
These awards events are important – they are opportunities to celebrate those
of us who go above and beyond, innovating and going to great lengths to keep
trade moving and our coastlines safe.
The past year has seemingly been all about recovering from the tumult of the
previous three years of pestilence and disruption. There also have been, and
still are, aftershocks from those turbulent years. But, as 2023 comes to a close,
the clouds on the horizon aren’t quite as dark as they have been for some. Let’s
hope these trends continue and next year is relatively smooth sailing.
I – along with the rest of the DCN team – would like to thank you all for your
support over the past year. And, congratulations to all award winners, highly-
commended recipients, and finalists.
This year saw a record number of nominations submitted from all areas of the
industry. We would like to extend our thanks to everyone who took the time to
nominate a peer, organisation, or their own work for the judges’ consideration.
The scale of the nominations is just a glimpse into the wonderful work going on
each day within this robust and exciting industry.
DCN is proud to be the facilitator of this important event, and to be an
independent voice for the industry. None of this would be possible without the
support of our sponsors, subscribers, and advertisers – to whom we extend
our heartfelt thanks and appreciation.
These events are also wonderful opportunities to come together, make new
connections and kick up our heels after a year of hard work. All the best to the
nominees, finalists, highly commended recipients and winners. We hope to see
you all again in 2024.
Ian Ackerman
Editor, Daily Cargo News
Watch an interview with
DCN publisher Lindsay Reed
Watch an interview with
DCN editor Ian Ackerman
Lindsay Reed
Publisher, Daily Cargo News
thedcn.com.au
December 23
2023 SHIPPING & MARITIME INDUSTRY AWARDS
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December 23
2023 SHIPPING & MARITIME INDUSTRY AWARDS
thedcn.com.au
December 23
David Parmeter has been living and breathing Australian
maritime logistics since the early 1980s. Just out of
university he joined BHP as an industrial officer in
1981, and then in 1984 he went to work with ANL as an
industrial relations officer. He subsequently joined the
Commonwealth Steamship Owners Association, which
later merged with the Australian Shipowners Association
to become Maritime Industry Australia.
After more than a decade working with the ASA, Mr
Parmeter moved to Teekay Australia in 2002. Teekay had
recently taken over the management of BHP’s remaining
marine activities in Australia. And in 2006, he became
managing director of Teekay Shipping in Australia, a role he
held for nearly 12 years.
Mr Parmeter gives back much to the maritime industry
in Australia.
While managing director of Teekay Australia, Mr
Parmeter joined the council of the Australian Mariners’
Welfare Society and currently is its chairman. The AMWS
provides direct financial contributions to charitable
organisations that support the welfare of seafarers,
educational scholarships for emerging seafarers who need
financial support as well as accommodation for retired
seafarers in need.
Mr Parmeter was appointed a director of the Sydney
Bethel Union in November 2019 and is currently deputy
chairman. The SBU is the largest financial contributor to
the Missions to Seafarers in the ports of New South Wales.
Sponsored by NSWPorts
David Parmeter with Marika Calfas, CEO of Major Host Sponsor NSW Ports
Maritime Hall of Fame
INDUCTEE David Parmeter
coscoshipping.com.au
COSCO SHIPPING LINES
COSCO is proud to be consistently recognised for excellent value
and service by the Shipping & Maritime Industry
2019 HIGHLY COMMENDED
Liner Trade Award: Australia to North East
Asia & Australia to South East Asia
Shipping
THE 2019 DCN AUSTR ALIAN
Maritime
INDUSTRY AWARDS
&
HIGHLY COMMENDED
2020 HIGHLY COMMENDED
Liner Trade Award: Australia
to North East Asia
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Shipping
THE 2020 DAILY CARGO NEWS
Maritime
INDUSTRY AWARDS
&
2021 HIGHLY COMMENDED
Liner Trade Award: Australia to North
East Asia & Customer Service Award
HIGHLY COMMENDED
W I N N E R
2022 WINNER
Liner Trade Award: Australia to North East Asia
W I N N E R
2023 WINNER
Customer Service Award
HIGHLY COMMENDED
2023 HIGHLY COMMENDED
Liner Trade Award: Australia
to North East Asia
2018 WINNER
Liner Trade Award: Australia to North East Asia
Shipping
THE 2019 DCN AUSTR ALIAN
Maritime
INDUSTRY AWARDS
&
W I N N E R
2023 SHIPPING & MARITIME INDUSTRY AWARDS
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December 23
Newsmaker of the Year
WINNER Nicolaj Noes
The newsmaker of the year award goes to people and institutions
that, in effect, keep the journalists on the DCN editorial desk
busy – people whose names appear in the news frequently over
the year.
These past 12 months were busy for news with some big
stories, but Nicolaj Noes was probably the most persistent name
in the news throughout the year.
This began more than a year ago when he was managing
director at Svitzer Australia. He brought the company through a
period of difficult negotiations for a new enterprise bargaining
agreement for its maritime employees, with not one but three
maritime unions.
Over the course of the acrimonious negotiations and
industrial action on both sides, the company was called
a “disgrace to Denmark”. But in the end, a deal that was
acceptable to all was hammered out.
And then Mr Noes was in the news again when he left Svitzer
and moved into the top role in Australia at DP World, which
was embroiled in negotiations with the MUA for a new EBA
as of November 2023, and so continues Mr Noes’ relentless
newsmaking.
Nicolaj Noes,
executive
vice-president of
Oceania at DP World
Keeping the ports of NSW
Sydney Harbour | Port Botany | Newcastle Harbour | Port Kembla | Port of Eden | Port of Yamba
safe, secure and
open to the world
www.portauthoritynsw.com.au
Follow us @portauthoritynsw
Boom deployment exercise
Port Kembla New South Wales
2023 SHIPPING & MARITIME INDUSTRY AWARDS
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December 23
Diversity & Inclusion Award
WINNER BMA Hay Point Coal Terminal
BMA Hay Point terminal has demonstrated a true investment
and commitment to a diverse workforce in many facets of its
operations. Active in their local community, BMA supports many
local initiatives including educational and experiential programs
in local schools, including some specifically for girls.
Within its own organisation, BMA provides flexible work
arrangements, and its Safety Field Leadership program educates
the workforce on the strengths of neuro-diverse employees.
BMA Hay Point has also invested significant funds towards
providing first-class bathroom facilities for female employees.
With diversity and inclusion at the core of all areas of BMA’s
operation, the judges were delighted to award BMA Hay Point with
this award.
HIGHLY COMMENDED Maersk,
Victoria International Container Terminal
FINALISTS Alison Cusack, Cusack & Co; Ports Victoria;
Townsville Marine Logistics; WISTA
Daniel Grech, Amy Beaumont of Port Authority of
NSW and Linda Murry of BMA Hay Point Coal Terminal
Nikki Mading and Kayla Harris of VICT with
Amy Beaumont of PANSW and Hamza Hioul of Maersk
Sponsored by
Port Authority of New South Wales
Daniel Grech of BMA Hay Point Coal Terminal
MAKING MARINE OPERATIONS SAFER AND MORE EFFICIENT, EVERY TIME, EVERYWHERE
svitzer.com.au
Svitzer Australia
@svitzerau
Partnering for a
greener, more
sustainable future
2023 SHIPPING & MARITIME INDUSTRY AWARDS
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December 23
HIGHLY COMMENDED
GeelongPort’s Spirit of Tasmania
Terminal, Port of Melbourne
FINALISTS DP World Port Botany;
MIRRAT; Patrick Terminals, Brisbane
AutoStrad; Port of Eden, Port
Authority of New South Wales; Victoria
International Container Terminal
Port or Terminal
of the Year Award
WINNER Southern Ports
“Southern Ports Transformed” was the
title of its nomination, and transformed
they have. Through a package of strategic,
innovative projects and reforms –
Southern Ports has experienced a complete
transformation.
Specific achievements include breaking
a total of 16 trade records, an increase in
10% of vessel visits and 55% increase in
regional workforce.
Southern Ports’ transformation has
been based on the fundamental belief that
strong ports create strong regions.
Monica Birkner of Southern Ports and
Svitzer Australia’s Videlina Georgieva
Port of Melbourne’s Saul Cannon
and GeelongPort’s Sinead Redmond
Sponsored by
Svitzer Australia
Samantha English, Lauren Andrews and Sinead Redmond of GeelongPort
HOW YOU CAN ASSIST
Donations, bequests, sponsorships of projects
DONATIONS MAY BE DIRECTED TO:
The Secretary
Merchant Navy War Memorial Fund Ltd (MNWMF)
PO Box 3058, ROSEMEADOW NSW 2560
OR BY EFT TO:
Account Name:
MNWMF Project Development Fund
BSB: 032 197 Account No.: 477 684
Reference: Your Name
Please Note: If paying by EFT please forward
an email with your Name, Address, Phone
and Organisation (if applicable) to secretary@
mnwmf.com.au. A receipt will be forwarded for all
donations received.
VISION STATEMENT
To ensure that the Australian
Merchant Navy – a title emblazoned
in battle and honoured in freedom – is
recognised as an important part of
Australian maritime history and social
culture.
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE
Honouring the memory of Australian
Merchant Navy Mariners who gave
their lives in the service of their
country in WWI and WWII and giving
thanks for those that were able to
return to their families.
Our aim in all that we undertake is to make a difference; we are
guided by the following supporting objectives.
• Accepting the responsibility of our generation to ensure the greater
recognition of the vital role undertaken by the Australian merchant
navy in WWI and WWII.
• Identifying and partnering with other organisations that can assist
our efforts to advance the cause of the greater recognition of the
Merchant Navy.
• Ensuring ongoing viability and vitality of the Annual
Commemorations at Rookwood, NSW (April) and the National
Merchant Navy War Memorial, Canberra, ACT (October) by further
developing the partnership with the Rookwood General Cemetery
and the National Capital Authority and encouraging increased
participation, especially among younger generations.
• Supporting where possible other Merchant Navy War Memorials
throughout Australia.
• Enhancing the close partnership developed with the Australian
Maritime College through the Merchant Navy War Memorial Fund
Scholarship and identifying potential areas of part and/or full-time
sea going opportunities for AMC Cadets.
• Prudent management of the MNWMF Investment Portfolio, in
partnership with our external Financial Advisor, to ensure that the
Fund can meet the cost of its activities and maintain the value of the
portfolio in real terms.
• Pursuing opportunities for federal and state grants, corporate
sponsorship, bequests and donations to offset costs and assist to
fund new initiatives.
• An ongoing three-year strategic plan that documents policies
and procedures of key activities that can be followed and further
developed by those who follow.
• Working with the Merchant Navy RSL Subbranch, the Merchant
Navy Association (MNA) and the Company of Master Mariners
Australia (CMMA) in the achievement of our joint objectives.
• Encouragement of the next generation to take up our and our
predecessors’ passion and commitment to ensure that future
Australian Merchant Navy recognition is as secure in the future as in
the past and the present. We remain highly committed to continuing
to work in what we believe is the best interests of our cherished
Merchant Navy Veterans and the wider Australian Merchant Navy
Community.
For more information
www.mnwmf.com.au
WHAT WE DO
Making a difference
The Merchant Navy War
Memorial Fund Ltd
(MNWMF)
2023 SHIPPING & MARITIME INDUSTRY AWARDS
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December 23
WINNER Mark Jones, AMS Group
Since commencing as a trainee, Mark Jones has achieved his Master Class 5
and MED 2 qualifications, and progressed from trainee to deckhand. Mr Jones
has moved into a supervisory role in Brisbane, responsible for the daily vessel
management and launch operations of one of Poseidon’s three sites. Beyond this,
he is now earmarked for promotion to Assistant Launch Master. As well as his own
progression, Mr Jones has also taken on a mentoring role for the new First Nations
trainees who commenced in July this year.
HIGHLY COMMENDED Abby Williams, Daily Cargo News; Callum MacAdie, Southern Ports
FINALISTS Bernadette Habkouk, NavLab; Caine Ittensohn, Mondiale VGL; Caitlin Garrett; Chloe Townson,
BMA Hay Point Coal Terminal; Claire Gilmour, IFCBAA; Doreen Vrankar, Globelink; Georgia Terlick, Svitzer;
Kaylee Salzke, OneStop; Kendall Messer, WISTA; Lauren Daniels, VICT
Mark Jones of AMS Group
Sponsored by The
Merchant Navy War
Memorial Fund
Callum MacAdie of Southern Ports,
David Field of the Merchant Navy War
Memorial Fund and Abby Williams of
Daily Cargo News
Young Achievement Award
Callum MacAdie of Southern Ports
and Abby Williams of Daily Cargo News
David Field and Abby Williams
www.mirrat.com.au
RoRo
Automotive
Breakbulk
Efficient, innovative and sustainable solutions
2023 SHIPPING & MARITIME INDUSTRY AWARDS
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December 23
Supply Chain Innovation & Technology Award
HIGHLY COMMENDED NavLab,
Victoria International Container
Terminal
FINALISTS Alison Cusack, Cusack & Co;
Ligentia & Myer; Maersk; Patrick Terminals,
Automated Truck Handling; Port Authority
of NSW, IT Division, OnePort Team;
QUBE Bulk
WINNER Inbound Connect
Inbound Connect has had a transformative effect on many links in the Australian
supply chain.
Users of the platform include bonded warehouses, bulk and general stevedoring
ports, 3PL operators, contract warehouses and regional container ports.
The implementation of Inbound Connect’s digital platform has led to demonstrably
more efficient, safer and more compliant practices.
The company’s innovative vehicle booking system is changing for the better the way
landside logistics runs across Australia.
Team Inbound Connect: left to right – Donnalea and Luke Duffy, with Rick and Jo Frankel
Sponsored by MIRRAT
Matthew Vaughan of VICT with Aaron Mato of MIRRAT
Luke Duffy of Inbound Connect
Australia’s largest container & general cargo port
www.portofmelbourne.com
@ portofmelbourne
2023 SHIPPING & MARITIME INDUSTRY AWARDS
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December 23
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Alison Cusack, Cusack & Co;
Captain Carmen Blanco, NSW TAFE Newcastle
FINALISTS Maritime Safety Queensland; Ravi Nijjer AM FNI;
Ray Lee, Portside Solutions; Shield Assets; Svitzer; TMC Marine
Matthew Hollamby with
Port of Melbourne’s Saul Cannon
Alison Cusack and Captain Carmen Blanco
Matthew Hollamby’s career has been defined by his unrelenting
commitment to enhancing productivity and efficiency within
terminal operations, which he continues to this day as the
manager of Patrick’s Brisbane AutoStrad Terminal.
His visionary thinking has led to the development and
implementation of groundbreaking innovations in Australian
container port operations.
Furthermore, Mr Hollamby is a tireless advocate for diversity
and inclusion in the maritime sector.
Maritime Services Award
WINNER
Matthew Hollamby, Patrick Terminals
Sponsored by Port of Melbourne
Matthew Hollamby of Patrick Terminals
2023 SHIPPING & MARITIME INDUSTRY AWARDS
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December 23
HIGHLY COMMENDED Mission to Seafarers
Newcastle; Mission to Seafarers Portland
FINALISTS Alison Cusack, Cusack & Co; Hunterlink; Mission to
Seafarers Sydney; Roslyn Rajasingam & Stella Maris Australia
Seafarers Welfare Award
WINNER
Port Community of Port Kembla
Sponsored by The Australian Maritime Safety Authority and the
Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development,
Communications and the Arts
In January 2023, the minibus for Mission to Seafarers Port Kembla was
totalled in an accident. Upon learning of this accident, unsolicited funds
came pouring in from across the port community of Port Kembla –
within three weeks, almost $80,000 had been donated. The judges were
blown away by the generosity of the port community and impressed by
the collaboration and leadership demonstrated in the episode.
AMSA’s Mick Kinley, Sue Dight of MTS with
Christine Smith and Garry Dodd, both of MTS Newcastle
John Kewa of Mission to Seafarers Port Kembla
John Kewa and Peter Ernst of
the Port Authority of New South Wales
Watch an interview with
Mick Kinley from AMSA
Maritime Safety Queensland
Safer, cleaner seas for Queensland
Maritime Safety Queensland
Department of Transport and Main Roads
To find out more visit
www.msq.qld.gov.au
2023 SHIPPING & MARITIME INDUSTRY AWARDS
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December 23
HIGHLY COMMENDED Captain Adam Roberts, AMPI; Patrick Terminals, Automated Truck Handling
FINALISTS CCIS ANL Australia, Mondiale VGL, OMC International, Port of Brisbane, Port Hedland Pilots & SIMS, Port Phillip Sea Pilots,
Ravi Nijjer AM FNI
Safety Award
WINNER Svitzer
Svitzer addressed safety concerns in
their offshore towage services at Barrow
Island by implementing a new towline
configuration. This design – featuring
lighter pennants, soft shackles and
improved stretchers – reduced the risk
of incidents and partings, eliminated
manual handling issues and enhanced
overall efficiency on deck.
Maritime Safety
Queensland
Sponsored by
Maritime Safety
Queensland
Matthew Hollamby of Patrick Terminals with Kell Dillon
Kell Dillon with Adam Roberts and Matthew Hollamby
Kell Dillon with Adam Roberts of AMPI
David Phillips of Svitzer and Kell Dillon of MSQ
Watch an interview
with Kell Dillon from MSQ