Port of Port Hedland wins port of the year at Australian Shipping and Maritime awards

The Port of Port Hedland has been recognised as port of the year at the 2020 Australian Shipping and Maritime Industry awards last week for its critical role in COVID-19 economic recovery. Facilitated by independent news publication Daily Cargo News, the award celebrates the best ports, organisations, services and individuals in the shipping and maritime industry. Port of Port Hedland was lauded for the role it played in keeping the State and national economy afloat throughout the pandemic. It is recognised globally as the largest bulk export with products including iron ore, lithium and salt. The local organisation trumped the ports of Brisbane, Melbourne and Newcastle for the coveted title. Port of Port Hedland harbour master captain Heathcliff Pimento, who accepted the award, said the mining town had helped the economy during the COVID-19 crisis and will continue to do so into the future. “In recent years there has been significant investment in the port so we can continue to offer safe and reliable port services while increasing total port capacity by 6.9 per cent,” he said. “Projects have included the $120 million channel risk and optimisation project to deliver an emergency passing lane in the outer shipping channel and create a dedicated refuge zone for disabled ships. “The channel marker replacement project replaced 35 offshore and three land-based navigation markers to ensure the safe passage of vessels through the channel and the $55.3 million Hedland Tower.” Throughput at the port has increased from 446.9Mt in the 2014-15 period to 538.2Mt in the 2019-20 period.