SAFETY and efficiency underpinned Port Authority of NSW’s port operations forum on Tuesday this week (17 September).

The Safe and Efficient Port Operations Forum was the second gathering of its kind for the port authority, building off a successful inaugural event in 2023.

Held this year at the Overseas Passenger Terminal in Sydney, the forum brought together more than 150 delegates from 65 organisations.

Port users, regulatory bodies, shipping companies, infrastructure owners, terminal operators and other industry partners soaked up insights on port performance, pilotage and safety, port users’ perspectives on port operations, and sustainability in shipping and port operations.

PANSW chief operating officer John Finch told DCN one of the main takeaways from the forum was the continued focus on safety.

“[Safety] is critical for everybody’s business these days,” Captain Finch said.

“You’ve got safety, you’ve got performance standards, and the collaborative and co-operative culture that we’re trying to breed so everybody gets better together. It’s not about lifting the bar in one location, or for one shipping company, or for one port operator; it’s about lifting the bar across all of our ports,” he said.

“It’s also understanding the limitations and the challenges of certain critical things that are coming down the pipeline for us, like alternate fuels and their availability, and potentially what additional risks they may bring to our ports. It’s that common knowledge that everybody should be learning together, so it doesn’t come as a surprise.”

The Safe and Efficient Port Operations Forum is a significant event for the port authority and NSW maritime industry. It was launched last year on the back of some specific matters in Sydney, and PANSW saw an opportunity to bring the industry together to get everyone on the same page.

The difference this year was a broader, state-wide approach (rather than a focus on Port Botany) and, subsequently, a larger turnout.

“It’s not Sydney-centric; it’s something everybody should be hearing,” Captain Finch said.

“I think [the forum] is going to continue to grow, and the more we focus on that common goal together – collaboration, co-operation, and everybody improving together – that will be the ultimate outcome.

“At the end of the day, it’s not about making a little bit of difference in one of the ports. It’s about making a lot of difference in all of the ports.”

PANSW expects to host its third Safe and Efficient Port Operations Forum in 2025.