SYDNEY: September 25, 2018. Ports Australia has joined the World Ports Sustainability Program (WPSP), an initiative by the International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH).

The program, which launched earlier this year, aims to enhance and coordinate future sustainability efforts of ports worldwide and encourage cooperation with supply chain partners in governance, optimization of vessel calls, environmental landside management and LNG bunkering.

Ports Australia represents 80 Australian ports, including all the country’s metro ports, six Marine Authority members and several state-level Departments for Transport and Infrastructure.

IAPH's managing director Patrick Verhoeven commented: "The addition of Ports Australia is major step forward for us. Quite a number of their members have already embarked on initiatives that enhance resilient infrastructure, improve energy usage, and focus on challenges directly related to climate change, safety and security, governance and community outreach.”

Ports Australia CEO Mike Gallacher (pictured) added: “Australian Ports operate in a diverse range on environments and communities and each one is faced with its own unique challenges.

"There has been a deep-rooted understanding and respect in Australia for our unique environments and the communities that rely on our ports. This has driven port operators to constantly explore innovative ways of running their terminals. From solar power, to marine rehabilitation, eliminating toxic fire-fighting foam and building a resilient and diverse workforce, Australian Ports have much to be proud of and we want to share our experiences with the wider global port community.” he continued.