PORTLAND Mission to Seafarers (MTS) branch recently officially opened a newly reimagined bus shed, enhancing its capacity to support the welfare and transport needs of visiting seafarers.
The facility was formally opened by regional director Sue Dight, alongside Portland MtS chair Ern Harrison, in the presence of local dignitaries and community supporters.
Originally built in 2017, the shed has been repurposed into a dedicated storage and operational hub, enabling more efficient coordination of transport services for seafarers arriving in the Port of Portland.
The project was made possible through the generous support of Australian Mariners Welfare Society and Beyond Bank, reflecting a shared commitment to improving the wellbeing of international crews visiting regional ports.
“This facility strengthens our ability to provide practical, on-the-ground support to seafarers, particularly in regional locations where services can be limited,” Ms Dight said.
The Portland centre, managed by Neville Manson, plays a vital role in offering transport, communication, and welfare services to seafarers, many of whom spend extended periods away from home under demanding conditions.
The new shed marks another step forward in ensuring the Port of Portland remains a welcoming and supportive stop for the global maritime community.
Port of Portland specialises in the export of bulk commodity products and services the agriculture, forestry and mining industries across the Wimmera-Mallee and Murray Basin regions which extend from northern and western Victoria to southeast South Australia.
It is the largest sustainable hardwood chip export port in the world, and with throughput volumes hitting 6.1 million tonnes in 2022-23, is said to be a major economic contributor to both Victorian and South Australian regional communities.
It is seen as a gateway to international markets in China, Japan, Korea, Indonesia and Taiwan as well as other Australian regions.