PILBARA Ports CEO Samuel McSkimming has had a brush with royalty at Windsor Castle.
Mr Mc Skimming had been invited to the royal residence as one of 20 global maritime leaders to participate in a conversation about accelerating the energy transition in shipping worldwide. Convened by the Sustainable Markets Initiative founded by King Charles III, the forum brought together owners of global shipping conglomerates, logistics, maritime insurance and finance leaders, innovators and CEOs of major ports. It included Fortescue founder Andrew Forrest.
According to Mr McSkimming, King Charles showed plenty of interest in the proceedings and the meeting included a handshake from the king.
Questions put to Mr McSkimming about what his Majesty had to say were met by a spokesperson’s comment that the conversation was held under Chatham House Rules and couldn’t be shared with DCN.
“It was a privilege for Western Australia to be so strongly represented at this table, reflecting our state’s importance in key seaborne trades,” Mr McSkimming said.
“As CEO of a major global port that is responsible for 43% of the world’s iron ore exports, I’m confident that the energy transition in global shipping is not only inevitable but will move faster than many anticipate.
"Challenges remain, and setbacks will undoubtedly occur—but the trend is clear: low carbon fuels are not only viable, but are increasingly powering vessels all around the world. Change is coming and the Pilbara and Western Australia will be a leader.”
A Pilbara Ports LinkedIn post said Pilbara Ports is leading the development of a lower-carbon ammonia fuel bunkering hub within its ports, to assist the maritime and resources industries in decarbonising.
“Pilbara Ports vision is to have 100% of bulk export vessels departing the Pilbara powered by clean fuels. This could reduce emissions by 94% cutting them to less than 560,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year,” the post said.