Festive spirits high at Shipping Australia’s NSW Christmas luncheon

MORE THAN 300 people gathered at the Hyatt Regency on Friday (5 December) for Shipping Australia Limited’s NSW State Christmas luncheon, marking the end of another busy year and the start of the festive season. 

Despite the 37-degree heat outside, the atmosphere inside was lively, with representatives from ports, shipping and logistics coming together to toast the end of another busy year in shipping. 

Opening the event, SAL chair Bill Rizzi was optimistic. “We at Shipping Australia are very optimistic about the future of our sector,” he said. “We are looking to the horizon as we continue to navigate towards a better, brighter, safer and cleaner industry.” 

Mr Rizzi also thanked the organisations that made the luncheon possible, including MCC Group, One Stop, AMS Group, Osport Marine and B4U, and extended individual thanks to MCC Group CEO and managing director Roger Weiller, One Stop CEO Sam Askin, AMS Group CEO Glen Marshall, Osport Marine managing director Captain Anil Bhatia, and Caroline Henow from B4U for sponsoring the table gift. 

Major sponsor Roger Weiller urged industry leaders to focus on the people who make the sector thrive. “If we overcook the industry now, then five or ten years from now it’s going to be really difficult to maintain a sustainable maritime industry,” he said. “Shipping has always been a hot topic, and it continues to be so. We need to bulletproof the future of this critical industry.” 

Mr Weiller also encouraged the industry to engage and inspire the next generation. “Trust the process… show up every day and try to have a smile on your face most days if you can, because we’re all humans,” he said. “And I ask you to keep it real. I ask you to do your bit and I will do my bit.” 

Glen Marshall, group CEO of AMS Group, presented some new technology the company is promoting, sharing results from one shipping line client that showed average fuel savings of almost $20,000 per vessel, per voyage and a return on investment of over 400%. Attendees were invited to scan a QR code on table materials to register for demonstrations in the new year. 

Guests were entertained by comedian Gary Eck, and following his spot, the most anticipated part of the lunch unfolded – the lucky door prizes - which this year included tickets to Phantom of the Opera. 

The event is widely regarded as the unofficial kick-start to the holiday season, with many heading to the downstairs bar for drinks afterwards - and a general sense of ‘end-of-year celebration’ in the air.