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Posted by Lindsay Reed
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04 Sep, 2026
A LIVE port scheduling simulation, the impact of El Niño and a projected shortfall of 114,000 seafarer officers were among topics discussed at the Port Authority of NSW’s Safe and Efficient Port Operations Forum (SEPOF) 2026.
More than 200 maritime and logistics professionals attended the fourth annual forum, which also featured the inaugural Harbour Master panel.
The live simulation gave participants a vessel schedule and asked them to make decisions from the perspective of terminal operators, towage providers, marine pilots and port authorities as adverse weather conditions developed and resources became constrained.
Port Authority of New South Wales chief operating officer captain John Finch said the exercise demonstrated the decisions and collaboration required as conditions changed.
Speaking on safety culture in ship operations, OSM Thome vice president marine and HSEQ Sunit Sikand said maritime security threats had evolved from traditional concerns such as small-boat piracy and stowaways.
He said the industry was now dealing with UAVs, missiles, drones, GPS spoofing and increasingly sophisticated intelligence and artificial intelligence capabilities.
Mr Sikand said successive geopolitical disruptions, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict, attacks in the Red Sea and risks around the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, had added pressure to the maritime industry.
He cited Drewry data indicating the industry could be short 114,000 officers by 2030, with the shortage driven by fleet expansion as well as difficulties attracting and retaining seafarers.
War-risk insurance premiums and the mental pressure on seafarers operating in areas affected by conflict were also discussed.
Weatherzone’s Ashleigh Lange outlined weather-related disruptions affecting New South Wales ports over the past year, including a severe squall over Sydney Harbour in January 2025 that produced wind gusts of up to 120km/h.
An East Coast Low in July resulted in Port Botany being suspended, Newcastle being restricted and carriers being rerouted.
Ms Lange also highlighted high winds, hail, flash flooding and a significant fog event.
Looking to the immediate future, Ms Lange said a strong El Niño was expected to persist until at least autumn next year.
Ocean temperatures were already at record levels, she said, with the event expected to bring warmer and drier conditions to Australia, particularly during winter and spring.
The forum also heard from Port Authority of New South Wales Sydney deputy harbour master and Seafarer Welfare Committee chair Lawrie Corda.
Mr Corda said seafarer welfare was closely connected to safety and recounted the case of a young second officer who suffered a severe stroke while his vessel was at DP World Port Botany.
The terminal arranged medical assistance and the seafarer was taken to hospital, while his employer arranged for his wife to travel from the Philippines during his recovery.
“Supported crews make fewer mistakes. Safer ships create safer ports,” Mr Corda said.
He also highlighted the role of shipping agents and welfare organisations in providing seafarers with transport, connectivity and access to support while vessels are in port.
