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Posted by Allen Newton
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07 Aug, 2026
AUSTRALIAN port leaders joined counterparts from across the Pacific this week at the 48th Pacific Maritime Transport Alliance (PMTA) Conference in Nuku’alofa, Tonga, where collaboration, innovation and regional resilience emerged as dominant themes.
Ports Australia CEO Mike Gallacher and NSW Ports CEO Marika Calfas represented Australia at the annual gathering, which brings together port authorities, maritime agencies and industry specialists to share knowledge and develop practical solutions to shared challenges across the region.
Mr Gallacher’s presentation focused on the rapid evolution of smart‑port technology, outlining advancements in automation, artificial intelligence and cyber security.
He also provided an update on the work underway across Ports Australia’s technical committees, highlighting emerging issues including lithium‑ion battery fire risk, the transition to future fuels and the growing need for a coordinated Oceania‑wide approach to maritime safety and innovation.
Mr Gallacher said the conference reinforced how closely aligned the challenges are across Pacific and Australian ports.
“One of the key themes emerging from the PMTA Conference is that ports across Australia and the Pacific are facing many of the same challenges; we are all island nations relying on safe and efficient ports,” he said.
“It’s now more important than ever that we build strong regional collaboration across burgeoning issues such as lithium‑ion battery fire risk and future fuels. The need to develop an Oceania approach is obvious.”
He noted that Ports Australia now has 10 international ports from New Zealand and the Pacific within its membership.
“Through the Ports Australia network, we’re all working together to lift maritime capacity and resilience in the face of shared climate and economic challenges,” Mr Gallacher said.
“The PMTA conference provided a valuable opportunity to collaborate with our Pacific neighbours, hear their challenges and share some of the things Australian ports are doing in the realm of smart ports.
“Congratulations to PMTA and Port Authority Tonga for hosting another successful event. We look forward to building on this momentum at our Biennial Conference in Sydney this September.”
Ms Calfas, who serves as vice president for South‑East Asia & Oceania at the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH), addressed the forum on the critical role of regional collaboration in advancing the global port sector.
She emphasised how cross‑border partnerships support innovation, strengthen resilience and underpin sustainable growth across the maritime supply chain.
“I was honoured to be invited to address the PMTA forum in my capacity as vice president of the International Association of Ports and Harbors for the South‑East Asia & Oceania region. The Pacific Islands are part of this region and valued members,” she said.
“IAPH brings together ports around the world to address common issues, develop guidelines and promote the interests of ports at a global level. As ports are part of interconnected global supply chains, it makes sense to work together.
“It is fantastic that the Pacific Islands are working together through the PMTA, just as Australian ports work together through Ports Australia. Collaboration with IAPH provides a global platform for ports in our region. I am here to share the work of IAPH and to hear the priorities and issues of the Pacific Islands to take back to IAPH. It’s important that the Oceania region has its voice heard within IAPH to ensure that our region’s needs and issues are understood and addressed.”
Ports Australia says engagement with Pacific neighbours is a strategic priority, noting that strong regional relationships are essential for capability building, knowledge sharing and collective action on issues including safety, decarbonisation, infrastructure resilience and supply‑chain connectivity.
Both leaders thanked Ports Authority Tonga and the Pacific Maritime Transport Alliance for hosting the conference and facilitating open dialogue on the future of Pacific maritime transport.
