LAST Friday the logistics industry in Brisbane came together to hold the second ICHCA Logistics Long Lunch.

After the success of the initial Long Lunch in 2021, the second event was even better, with more than 160 guests from 70 companies attending.

After the recent heavy rainfall, the sunshine was very welcome on the banks of the Brisbane River at the at the Queensland Maritime Museum.

ICHCA Australia chairman John Warda gave a short overview of the importance of ICHCA Australia, (affiliated with ICHCA International), where its members, who are drawn from a wide business sector, strive to improve the safety and effectiveness of the handling and movement of goods in the national and international transport supply chains.

Over the last 50 years the museum has collected, preserved, and shared over 60,000 objects. Museum chairman, Captain Kasper Kuiper gave an overview of its activities and made a passionate plea for more funding to ensure that the museum can stay open.

The recent COVID-19 pandemic has depleted its coffers and has resulted in a scaling down of urgently required maintenance work which is mostly done by volunteers.

Managing director of Blue Water Shipping (a sponsor of the event) Steven Lofaro commented on the healthy state of project cargo in and out of Australia.

Bluewater Shipping is a Danish company which has been around for 50 years but has only recently begun operating in Australia.

The idea of the Long Lunch, which ran from 1pm till 4pm, is to provide attendees with the opportunity for networking.

By the time it finishes there is an excuse not to return to work and some choose to stay and continue lively discussions over a drink.

This is particularly attractive on a Friday afternoon when one can enjoy great food and a few drinks with industry colleagues and friends.

Nearly $4000 was raised for the museum through sponsorship and a raffle.

Event organiser Darren Fursman from NQBP and an ICHCA Australia director commented that many people thought that the museum was a very suitable location to hold a shipping related event and has tentatively booked the museum for next year’s event.