You may not have ever stopped to think about it, but of all the things we shop for, buy and enjoy, 99 per cent of those goods arrive initially on our island of Australia by sea.
Heading the other way, approximately $26 billion of locally produced and manufactured exports pass through Victoria’s commercial ports annually, handling almost a quarter of Australia’s total food and fibre exports.
Here at the Port of Geelong, Victoria’s second largest port, more than 15 million tonnes of product is handled annually thanks to the more than 600 vessels that visit each year.
The Port of Geelong is a critical piece of Victoria’s infrastructure with 50 per cent of Victoria’s fuel needs coming through the port. It is a key gateway for Victoria’s agriculture trade handling grains, fertilizers and woodchips, and an enabler of renewable energy infrastructure thanks to the wind towers that transit here, and of course, provides a key connection to Tasmania as the home of the Spirit of Tasmania.
Headquartered here in Geelong, Ports Victoria is proud of our contribution to the Geelong region, as custodians of our crucially important and evolving maritime gateways, and the economic benefits they deliver.
We’re responsible for the management of navigation at Victoria’s four commercial trading ports, Geelong, Melbourne, Portland and Hastings and like most industries we’re evolving and facing new challenges and opportunities.
Victoria’s port system is a critical part of Victoria’s infrastructure and as the world’s demands increase – and Australia’s appetite for goods increases – so too, must the capability of Victoria’s key ports. Ships from around the globe are growing increasingly larger and more complex and ensuring their safe transit in and out of our ports is a key focus for us.
The integration of advanced technologies is also vital for the future of Victorian ports. We’re increasingly looking at how automation, artificial intelligence, and data analytics can enhance our operational efficiency, reduce emissions, and improve safety so we remain competitive in the global market and enable more efficient and sustainable trade.
Ports are integral to Victoria’s prosperity, and their development must consider the interests and concerns of all stakeholders. We believe transparent communication and genuine collaboration are keys to managing the impacts of the port, while ensuring the community benefits from any port development.
As our ports evolve, so too must our workforce. So there is a need for ongoing training and development programs to equip our workers with the skills required for operating advanced technologies and adhering to new sustainability practices.
Apart from our focus on the future, our focus remains very much on safety, here and now.
So, if you’re a recreational fisher or boatie who loves to get out on the water, your safety is our paramount concern, so remember to always Keep Clear of Big Ships!