PORT of Melbourne and Kimberley Ports Authority have announced they will undergo a shift in executive leadership in the coming months.

Kimberley Ports Authority has announced its CEO Craig Faulkner will resign on 10 June to take up the role of executive general manager, operations at Port of Melbourne.

Mr Faulkner will commence work at Port of Melbourne on 20 June. It coincides with the retirement of Keith Gordon, Port of Melbourne’s longstanding EGM operations.

Port of Melbourne CEO Saul Cannon thanked Keith Gordon for his contribution to the port over the past 17 years.

“Keith has spent many years in senior port roles around Australia before his time here and has made a significant contribution to the maritime logistics sector throughout his career,” he said in a statement.

“We look forward to marking Keith’s contribution to Port of Melbourne closer to his retirement date.”

Kimberley Ports Authority chair Reece Waldock said the KPA board accepted Mr Faulkner’s resignation “with regret” after two years and nine months with the port authority.

“During his time with us Craig has been instrumental in returning KPA to a stable financial position, amalgamating the other three commercial Kimberley ports into KPA as well as progressing potential major infrastructure projects in the region,” Mr Waldock said.

Prior to his role at Kimberly Ports Authority, Mr Faulkner had also served as CEO at Port of Launceston and Australian Amalgamated Terminals in Melbourne.

He has previously held senior leadership positions in companies operating ports, port terminals, distribution, towage and bunkering operations across Australia and in New Zealand.

“We wish Craig and his partner Gina all the best in their future endeavours.”

Mr Waldock said Kimberley Ports Authority’s chief operating officer Luke Westlake has been appointed acting CEO until the board decides on a permanent chief executive officer.

Mr Westlake has reportedly spent most of his career in the Australian ports industry and has held a variety of management roles in stevedoring and towage for DP World, Teekay and freight logistics company Asciano.

Prior to joining Kimberley Ports Authority in 2017, Mr Westlake served as general manager operations and director of DP World Fremantle.

And, Port of Melbourne’s Mr Cannon announced Tony Murphy will join the port on 30 May as EGM port development.

“This is a new role on the port executive, bringing focus to the port’s capacity planning and development, in line with the port development strategy,” he said.

It is understood Mr Murphy is returning to Port of Melbourne having previously held the role of GM infrastructure delivery, with responsibility for the development of Webb Dock.

He has also held senior development roles at the University of Melbourne and Transurban.