Rachael Johnson, CEO Victorian Ports Association [Melbourne].
The Evolving "New" Role of Victorian Ports Corporation {Melbourne}
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Our guest speaker was Ms Rachel Johnson, CEO of Victorian Ports Corporation, having been appointed following its privatisation in November 2016. In previous roles, Rachel had worked at ports in Gladstone and Brisbane and during her time in those cities, was a member of Rotary. (Reporter’s Note: there must be a great opportunity for Rachel to continue that association with a city centre club that gets its meetings over before 9.00am!!).With privatisation, Land and Infrastructure along with Operational Assets and Liabilities have been leased out. The Victorian Ports Corporation is responsible for Regulatory Functions – Marine and Navigation. Responsibilities include ensuring safe and efficient navigation of vessels, providing essential connectivity to Tasmania and realising Victorian trade and tourism opportunities for seaborne passengers and freight.
Melbourne is the largest container port in Australia with 25% of Australia’s imports and exports by value passing through it. There are 21,000 shipping movements each year although compared to Hong Kong with 250,000 movements it might not seem busy! The Port is particularly important to Tasmania and primary producers. Rachel also noted, somewhat tongue in cheek, that significant tonnages of coffee come in through the port!
The port is controlled from Lorimer St with the Point Lonsdale lighthouse as a back up site and hence it is the last manned lighthouse in Australia. Rachel highlighted the use of technology in managing the movements – speed of ships and drafts they draw.
Safe navigation is critical, particularly given the reliance on shipping channels. Rachel noted aside from all the trade imperatives, Victoria has only 3 day’s supply of fuel. A Marine Pollution Response Team is also at the ready for any pollution spills. The Team was in fact dispatched to NZ when MV Rena ran aground 2011. All ships, other than those with an exempt Master, will have a Pilot who navigates from outside the Heads to berth. The Corporation is looking to use helicopters to land pilots on ships rather than the traditional pilot boats.
Rachel showed her passion for her role in mentioning a favourite tug “Eureka” which she loves to join when it is working. It is one of a number used for berthing, particularly the large container ships. She mentioned Swanson Dock moving some 1000 cars a week, and Station Pier as the home of the Spirit of Tasmania and cruise ships. She encouraged everyone to be aware of the new luxurious Spirit ships arriving in 2021 and recommended cruising to everyone! Surveys show that overseas visitors coming in on cruise ships do want to return to Melbourne.
In answering a series of questions Rachel mentioned that: technology helps manage the draft of container ships and as they are broad, depth of the channels is not a great issue; the Station Pier 25 year strategy indicates work is needed, particularly in regard to access; smart ships of the future could be controlled from the land; an Enterprise Bargaining Agreement has recently been signed and a good relationship exists with union and employees; there are no easy alternatives for another port to serve Melbourne.
After a fascinating and informative presentation, Chair Therese presented Rachel with the usual gift and she was warmly thanked.