OPINION: Australia’s future lies in its port economy
AS AN island continent, 99% of our trade arrives and departs by sea. Our connection to maritime is so intertwined into our daily existence that most of us don’t consciously think...
OPINION: Terminal access charges debate ramps up
PATRICK Terminals released a media statement on Monday 19 August 2024 referencing an analysis by Synergies Economic Consulting, titled Synergies Analysis Confirms Container...
OPINION: Where is the government's support for seafarer welfare funding?
THE HEALTH, wellbeing and recuperation of seafarers depend on 21st century funding for port welfare facilities. In Australia, the current institutional paralysis-by-analysis and...
IN DETAIL: Chasing shadows
ARE “dark fleet” ships painted black, or do they turn their lights off at night? It doesn’t work quite like that, but they certainly go to a lot of trouble to sail undetected. The...
OPINION: Border clearance and security compromised
THE DEPARTMENT of Homeland Security in its recent customs brokers licence renewals has added new conditions and legislative intent (yet to be passed by the Senate) which has...
OPINION: Latest port performance rankings no joy for Australian ports
THE LATEST Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) for calendar year 2023, which is developed by the World Bank and S&P Global Market intelligence, was published last week. The...
OPINION: In search of “just right”
IN THE popular fairytale Goldilocks and the Three Bears, poor Goldilocks is criticised for wanting things to be “just right”, but as we consider the intricate web of the supply...
OPINION: Diplomas as pathways to a stronger industry
IN MANY parts of the world, higher education through universities is the only option for post-school education. However, in Australia, we have the option of vocational education....
OPINION: Port privatisation in NSW has become a political football
A RECENT revelation in the NSW Parliament has again ignited debate about the privatisation of Australian capital city ports. When Port Botany and Port Kembla were privatised in...
OPINION: Contractual issues for methanol in the alternative fuel future
SHIPPING’S need to decarbonise continues to drive orders for vessels featuring alternative and dual fuel capability, but established charter forms and terms are unlikely to be...
OPINION: The Pondus weighing system in Australia
THE DEPLOYMENT of the Pondus weighing system in recent years by major Australian port operators represented a pivotal development in the realm of maritime safety and compliance....
OPINION: Are sail-assisted ships an option or just a lot of hot air?
SAILING ships have, for centuries, facilitated trade and allowed explorers to conquer new continents. With the drive to minimise GHG emissions from ships there is renewed interest...
WOMEN IN MARITIME: International Women’s Day
I CAN’T remember exactlywhen I became aware of InternationalWomen’s Day, but I do remember one ofmy male colleagues coming up to me andsaying it was time to celebrate because“…...
WOMEN IN MARITIME: The climb to success
AS THE clock struck midnight on New Year’s Eve, it was not just a time to bid farewell to the old but also an opportunity to welcome the new. For women involved in maritime...
OPINION: The vital role of member-owned industry associations
THE International Forwarders and Customs Brokers Association of Australia is the only member-owned industry association in Australia dedicated to international freight forwarding...
