CAPTAIN Savio Fernandes, Fremantle Ports’ new harbour master, is a master mariner (class 1) with an extensive career in maritime operations and has a Diploma for Harbour Masters from Lloyd’s Maritime Academy – UK.
Captain Fernandes (48) started his career at sea in 1991 as a junior officer on oil/chemical tankers and bulk carriers. He spent the past four years of his sea-going career as a master in command of oil tankers trading worldwide and specialising on ice-class oil tankers operating in northern Europe, in the Baltic, north of Norway and around Russia.
He spent more than seven years in Italy as a marine/vetting superintendent and HSEQ co-ordinator for Navigazione Montanari, an Italian shipping company with the largest Italian registered fleet of oil/chemical tankers at the time.
“Working for WA’s premier port is by itself an exciting opportunity and great challenge,” Captain Fernandes said.
“I look forward to further enhancing Fremantle Ports’ reputation for safe and efficient port operations and my knowledge of WA legislation, through working in Port Hedland, will be an advantage.
“Obviously, Fremantle Ports has a wider range of operations and I am excited to join a strong team and work alongside them and the multitude of shipping, service providers, stevedoring and other companies that make up the port environment.”
Captain Fernandes takes over from deputy harbour master Captain David Heppingstone, who has acted in the role. Fremantle’s last substantive harbour master, Captain Allan Gray, is now president and CEO of the Port of Halifax in Canada.
