GEELONGPORT has been named a finalist in the Industrial Sector category of the 2026 Australian AI Awards, recognising an “AI-powered solution that is helping optimise vessel and berth planning at Australia's sixth largest port”.
Managing more than 1,000 vessel visits and 13.6 million tonnes of cargo each year, Geelong operates in a highly dynamic environment where vessel schedules, berth availability, specialist equipment and operational requirements are constantly changing.
To help address this complexity, GeelongPort partnered with Hypergen to develop an AI-powered planning tool using Microsoft's AI platform.
The solution analyses vessel notifications and operational data to recommend optimal berth, resource and equipment allocations, while keeping experienced operators firmly in control via a human-in-the-loop approval process.
The project progressed from initial concept to production deployment in just six weeks and is already said to be improving planning efficiency across port operations.
GeelongPort has transformed a traditionally manual and knowledge-intensive planning process into an award-nominated example of practical AI, demonstrating how emerging technologies can support safer, smarter and more efficient trade operations.
The Australian AI Awards recognise excellence in the development and application of artificial intelligence across Australian industry.
Chief executive Brett Winter said “the ports that will lead in the decades ahead will be those that combine deep operational expertise with the intelligent use of technology”.
“In six weeks, our team turned a complex operational challenge into a practical solution that is already improving the way we plan and make decisions across the port.”
“This project demonstrates how artificial intelligence can strengthen decision-making, lift efficiency and help build more resilient supply chains, while keeping experienced people firmly in control.”
A spokesperson told DCN the project had been a relatively recent development.
“What makes the project particularly exciting is the speed at which it was delivered.
“The solution moved from an initial conversation to a production-ready AI agent in just six weeks,” the spokesperson said.
“That rapid delivery was possible because of the strong collaboration between GeelongPort's operational experts and Hypergen's AI specialists.
“Rather than pursuing technology for its own sake, the project focused on a clearly defined operational challenge with measurable business value. Its success demonstrates how organisations can quickly adopt AI when they begin with a practical problem, a clear outcome and strong user engagement.”