2024 Safe Ships Safe Ports Forum

View presentations from the 2024 Forum below. Note these are for information purposes only and if you would like to use content within these, please reach out to the speaker or their organisation directly. 

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E: ssspforum@pilbaraports.com.au

Amanda’s career has been a thrilling journey, becoming the first female to serve as Master in South Africa to overseeing the construction of vessels from the ground up and navigated through the icy waters of Antarctica. Amanda also had the privilege of leading a maritime college, sharing her passion for the industry with the next generation.

Expanding her horizons, Amanda moved into port management with Associated British Ports. There, she focused on developing essential training programs, gaining vital government accreditation, and setting industry standards. The opportunities offered by Pilbara Port's expanding port program coupled with a fantastic family lifestyle in the Pilbara deeply resonated with Amanda, and she is excited for this new chapter in Port Hedland.

Arie Nygh is the Managing Director of SeaWays Consultants; Fellow and Committee Member of the Nautical Institute, Fellow of the International Tugmaster Association, Ambassador for Confidential Human Factors Incident Reporting Programme (CHIRP), Ambassador for Mariners' Alerting and Reporting Scheme (MARS) and Member of the Order of Australia for 'Significant service to maritime transport through tugboat safety and standards initiatives’. 

For two decades SeaWays has provided tug master and pilot boat master training for 60 towage companies around the world. We have trained over 2,000 masters to operate high performance tugs, including in the Pilbara Ports of Hedland, Dampier and Ashburton.

Bringing over two decades of experience in maritime operations, Behrouz Daei Zadeh has recently been appointed Harbour Master for the Port of Port Hedland in 2024.

Behrouz's responsibilities include overseeing port operations and ensuring regulatory compliance. His expertise in risk mitigation, management, and incident investigation have been instrumental in enhancing port safety and efficiency.

His commitment to maritime sustainability, along with his lengthy stakeholder engagement and strategic planning expertise, drive continuous improvements in the Port of Port Hedland’s operations.

Benjamin graduated from the University of Plymouth in 2004 with a degree in Ocean Science. Shortly after graduating Benjamin found himself working as an Oceanographer in the North Sea, earning his Tiger stripes, and sometimes questioning his choice of career when battling through the winter storms.

Since then, he has worked across Australasia both in the coastal and offshore settings and is lucky enough to have found his ‘calling’ in the Pilbara looking after Pilbara Ports’ metocean interests in the Ports of Ashburton, Dampier, Port Hedland and Varanus Island.

Capitan Carlo Di Meglio is a maritime professional with 24 years of maritime regulatory knowledge, in addition to 15 years of seagoing experience.

In his current role as Manager Operations for the Australian Maritime Safety Authority he is responsible for ensuring that domestic and international shipping in WA and NT are operating in accordance with the regulatory framework to meet AMSA's vision of “safe and clean seas and saving lives”.

His dedication to maritime safety and deep knowledge of Port State Control procedures allowed him to establish a robust and effective ship inspection program that is effectively delivered by his team meeting with AMSA expectation.  Carlo’s other duties include overseeing the PSC trainers delivering the training program for AMSA staff, examiner of Masters and mates, ISM auditor.

Chris is a highly experienced executive with more than 20 years’ experience in supply chain and logistics. He has held senior operational and finance leadership roles in large, complex organisations specialising in strategy development, mergers and acquisitions, and restructuring and turning around underperforming businesses.

Chris joined Toll Group in 2018 and was appointed President of Resources and Industrials in April 2023. Prior to this, he was Head of Finance and Transport at Coles Group, one of Australia’s largest supermarket chains and spent more than four years at Australian transport and logistics company Linfox as General Manager.

Chithra is the senior dry bulk analyst in Singapore for shipping services company, Clarksons – the world's largest shipbroker. She has been with the company since 2019 and works on all key dry bulk trade flows with particular focus on Asian and Australian markets.

Prior to Clarksons, Chithra worked in consulting at Deloitte and British Telecom in their research and strategy teams. Chithra has a Master’s degree in Data Science, an MBA in Operations and a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering.

Dale is an experienced mining executive with a strong track record of delivering positive financial outcomes for resource businesses and complex operations.

He joined Pilbara Minerals in 2017 as Chief Operating Officer and became Managing Director and CEO in July 2022. He has played an instrumental role in leading the Company from project developer to an ASX50 company, operating the largest independent hard-rock lithium operation in the world, the Pilgangoora Operation in Western Australia.

With over 27 years of experience in the human resources and human services sectors, Damien has held senior management positions in Western Australian ports since 2007. He joined Pilbara Ports in 2010 and played a pivotal role as the Director responsible for the 2014 Pilbara Ports amalgamation.

Damien currently serves as the Executive General Manager Safety, People & Environment with responsibilities including Health & Safety, People & Capability, Environment & Heritage, and First Nations Engagement.

Captain Gerard D'Souza is a Master Mariner with extensive experience sailing on oil and chemical tankers, bulk carriers, and ore bulk-oil carriers). He now leads the vetting team at Eastern Pacific Shipping, overseeing the vetting for the company's oil, gas, and dry bulk fleet.

With a career spanning 35 years in the industry, his expertise ensures high safety and operational standards across the fleet, contributing to the company’s reputation for excellence.

George Thanopoulos is CEO of Neda Maritime Agency, an independent ship management company that manages a fleet of large tankers and bulk carriers, with emphasis on quality and reliability, and has its roots in the late 19^th century.

He has 30 years of experience in the maritime industry, having served in various shipping companies in engineering/managerial positions. He joined Neda Maritime in 2002 as superintendent engineer and was later appointed as fleet manager and technical director. He assumed his current position in January 2023.

He is also serving as Governing Committee Chairman of the Maritime Emissions Reduction Center and as a member of the Technical Committee of LRS, ClassNK and Intercargo.

Appointed as the Head of Maritime at BHP, Gerard is accountable for all of BHP’s ocean carriage of iron ore, and leads the company as one of the world’s largest bulk charterers.

Having graduated with a bachelor’s degree with Honours in Finance, Gerard has more than 18 years’ experience in shipping, commodities, logistics, strategy and finance in the mining and petroleum industries across Asia, Australia and the United States.

Heath has 35 years’ experience in the marine and port industry, with the past 15 years spent in Port Hedland working as a Senior Marine Pilot before taking on the role of Marine Services Delivery Manager. Heath has been responsible for the implementation of Pilbara Ports' Marine Pilotage service which supports all ports and ensures the continuity of the provision of pilotage services for the Port of Port Hedland.

Prior to this, Heath worked in five other ports across the Northern Territory and Queensland in the roles of Harbour Pilot, Pilot Manager, Port Operations Manager and Harbour Master. Heath has been heavily involved in the Port of Port Hedland growing from five cape size berths and three public berths to 15 cape size berths and four public berths, port strategic risk and channel risk, and the implementation and development of the modern towage fleet that services Port Hedland.

Hollie is the General Manager Marine Operations and Performance for Rio Tinto and is based in Singapore, supported by teams in Singapore, Australia, China and Canada.

In this role, she has accountability for the safe, efficient, and sustainable operations across Rio Tinto’s ~250 fleet portfolio of owned and chartered vessels.

Prior to her current role, Hollie oversaw marine activities at Rio Tinto’s port operations in the Pilbara. Hollie started in 2011 with Rio Tinto and brings experience across marine, operational, commercial and corporate roles.

Karlene Bylund joined Pilbara Ports in March 2010, serving in property and commercial management roles before being appointed Director Commercial from October 2017. In June 2020, she was appointed General Manager Port Hedland Maritime Precinct, before taking on the role of Executive General Manager Customer and Strategy in July 2023.

Karlene has extensive experience in commercial management and corporate governance, including critical infrastructure and service provider projects.

Karlie Mucjanko was appointed to the Pilbara Ports Board in 2020 and has been reappointed for a term expiring in 2026. Karlie was appointed Chair of Pilbara Ports Board in July 2024 and is the Chair of the Organisational Development Committee.

Karlie Mucjanko is an experienced Company Executive and Non-Executive Director specialising in strategic communications, social licence, government and stakeholder relations. She has managed large-scale communications across a range of sectors including not-for-profits, co-operative and mutuals, privately-owned commercial business and government. 

Ms Mucjanko has spent most of her career in agriculture, including a decade as a Senior Executive with CBH Group. Since establishing her communications consultancy, she has continued her interest in agriculture while expanding her focus to regional development, infrastructure and construction and resources. 

Lene Vesterlund has over 20 years of experience in international marketing, sales, product management, corporate strategy, and leadership within the telecom and maritime industries.

She joined the Kongsberg Group and its subsidiary, Kongsberg Norcontrol—a global provider of maritime surveillance solutions, including maritime security and vessel traffic service systems—in 2012. Since then, she has held various management roles, leading product management, system development, and the global marketing and sales organization, before becoming the CEO of Kongsberg Norcontrol earlier this year. 

Under her leadership, Lynn has led GCMD to launch several initiatives to close technical and operational gaps in deploying ammonia as a marine fuel, establishing the assurance framework for drop-in green fuels, unlocking the carbon value chain to demonstrate onboard carbon capture, storage systems and the offtake of liquified CO2, and deploying energy efficiency technologies to improve fuel efficiency of ships.

Prior to joining GCMD, Lynn was the Director of the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment at Princeton University.

Mark Lee is actively involved in spearheading the development of low and zero-carbon marine fuels across the Asia Pacific region. With a background in the energy sector spanning over a decade, Mark brings a wealth of experience in project management and business development, particularly in infrastructure projects related to power generation, industrial utilities, on/offshore gas terminals, and the maritime industry.

His expertise and keen insights have been instrumental in driving sustainable initiatives within the marine fuel industry, with a focus on reducing carbon emissions and promoting environmentally friendly practices through promoting the adoption of low carbon ammonia as potential maritime fuel.

Mike joined the Dampier Port Authority in 2013 as Deputy Harbour Master. Post amalgamation, Mike held several roles within Pilbara Ports’ marine team before being appointed Harbour Master Marine West (Dampier, Ashburton & Varanus Island) in March 2024.

His responsibilities as Harbour Master are to maintain safe and efficient marine operations, with all requirements met under the Port Authority’s Act. His broad experience in marine operations has helped him find alternative ways to approach problems that satisfy both proponents and the ports requirements.

Nick joined Pilbara Ports in August 2019 as a Mechanical Supervisor and is currently acting in the General Manager Terminal Operations role. Nick is a qualified mechanical tradesperson with over 18 years’ experience in safe and efficient execution of mechanical maintenance, fixed plant shutdowns, terminal operations and project management with a focus on customer service and productivity improvements. Nick and his family have lived in Port Hedland for the last 14 years and he is active in the local community.

Nik Smith’s time in the Maritime industry has taken him from a Coastal Vessel Master/Engineer to ashore roles such as fleet and operations management roles, as well as Marine Superintendent and Terminal Superintendent for a major oil and gas company.

This diverse experience has built a strong understand of all facets of maritime operations, from offshore facilities and terminals right through to ports and berths; a skillset that has culminated in his current role as Executive General Manager for Jetwave Marine.

Osher Perry is the Founder and CEO of ShipIn Systems. He has significant experience in areas of strategic management and fostering innovation in operations, with emphasis on industrial environments.

Following 10 years of professional sailing, he pioneered areas of impact investing and economic development projects with an United Kingdon based firm. Subsequently, he spent several years developing AI based operating platforms for agriculture and manufacturing facilities. This experience led him to establish ShipIn, as a Maritime Technology leader, harnessing computer vision and AI to enhance safety and efficiency onboard global fleets. 

Currently Harbour Master and Chief Operations Officer for the Port of Cork and Bantry Port Company, Paul spent 15 years at sea with various companies prior to taking up a shore-based position in the maritime industry.

His responsibilities as Harbour Master are the safety of shipping, pilotage, emergency planning, port security and vessel traffic control. Paul is President of the International Harbour Masters’ Association since June 2022.

Peter O’Brien is the Chief Executive Officer of OMC International, which specialises in digital port optimisation and risk management technologies, including the Dynamic UKC system. Holding a Masters of Science Degree (Distinction) in Port and Coastal Engineering from IHE Delft, The Netherlands and an Executive MBA at Melbourne Business School, Peter has more than 30 years’ experience in many aspects of maritime and civil engineering.

OMC has been in operation for over 35 years, and now employs seventy staff dedicated to configuring, installing, and supporting maritime SaaS solutions for ports globally.

After a decade working in the financial sector, Peter was ordained as a member in the Church of England and has since held roles in parish ministry, academic research and teaching, senior church leadership, consultancy, and in leadership in the not-for-profit sector. 

The focus of Peter’s work has been on those who find themselves on the edges of society and the wellbeing that many take for granted, and whose challenges can frequently be less visible. This continues in his new role as Secretary General of The Mission to Seafarers where Peter seeks to collaborate with others for the benefit of the world’s seafarers.

Phil joined Pilbara Ports as General Manager Marine in December 2020. Phil’s marine career spans more than 30 years; serving in the British Merchant Navy for a decade before moving to Associated British Ports where he held several senior roles before relocating to Australia for his role with Pilbara Ports.

Richard is a marine professional with a diverse career spanning over 30 years in various sectors of the maritime industry, including bulk shipping, cable laying, and offshore oil and gas operations.

Samuel McSkimming was appointed CEO of Pilbara Ports in May 2023. Mr McSkimming has extensive experience in multi-user bulk infrastructure, including in operations, marketing, commercial negotiation, and corporate affairs.

Prior to joining Pilbara Ports, Mr McSkimming was in an executive general management role in bulk export railroads and has a background in competition law and regulatory economics.

Captain Fernandes joined Fremantle Port Authority as Harbour Master in February 2021. He is a maritime professional with over 33 years of experience in a diverse range of maritime activity and processes including world-wide at sea, technical ship management and port management roles.

Sean Reseigh was appointed Managing Director of Aviation for the Auriga Group of companies in 2024.  Leading Auriga’s Helicopter Marine Pilot Transfer business, Sean brings 25 years’ experience in aviation operations across complex civil, defence and commercial organisations. 

Prior to joining Auriga, Sean was the Director of Aviation Operations for the Queensland Police Service Aviation Capability Group, overseeing search and rescue, emergency medical services, prisoner transportation, surveillance and tactical response operations across QLD.

Captain Mondal is the Global Head of Operations at Anglo-Eastern Ship Management, where, as a part of the Executive Management Team, he plays a pivotal role in shaping corporate strategies and spearheading the company’s overall development. A seasoned Master Mariner, he brings over a decade of global sailing experience specialising in containers and bulk carriers.

Beginning his maritime career in 1997 with Anglo Eastern, he transitioned from sea to shore in 2008, initially joining the operations team in Hong Kong. His on-ground expertise encompasses operations and performance management, claim handling, security policies, dispute and casualty management, and developing new systems and processes.

With a background in financial management, Veronica joined the Port Hedland Port Authority in 2012, working in Landside Operations across both Utah Point and Eastern Harbour sites for 11 years before taking on the Port Manager role.

Her responsibilities include overseeing the Landside Operations, Civil, Mechanical and Electrical departments, as well as ensuring the satisfaction of customers and port users. During her time with the Port, Veronica has been exposed to an extensive degree of cargo operations, incident management and safety initiatives.