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20/11/2021 10:10 AM

Port Authority’s Port Kembla Crew Claim Business of the Year Award

Port Authority of NSW has made a splash at the prestigious 2021 IMB Bank Illawarra Business Awards gala ceremony being named Illawarra Business of the Year and winner of the Excellence in Business Award sponsored by the University of Wollongong.

Port Authority CEO Captain Philip Holliday said he was completely honored that the region’s peak business organisation, Business Illawarra, selected Port Authority’s Port Kembla site as a winner, recognizing their commitment to supporting Illawarra industries and the business community through the COVID pandemic.

 “We couldn’t be prouder to be named the Illawarra Business of the Year and win the Excellence in Business Category of these prestigious Awards,” Captain Holliday said.

“This award gala ceremony is a great opportunity for Port Authority to celebrate with the other winners and finalists in what has been a very challenging year for so many businesses in the Illawarra district.

“However, despite these challenges, we have made it our mission to ensure we keep Port Kembla safe, secure and open for trading with the world in a bid to keeping businesses and industries afloat.

“Being named Business of the Year was only possible because of the incredible crew we have at Port Kembla, led by our Harbour Master Sharad Bhasin and Head of Operations Peter Ernst, they have kept us on course to support the Illawarra through the pandemic,” Captain Holliday said.

Port Authority’s Head of Operations for Port Kembla & South Coast, Peter Ernst said the Awards were the result of the outstanding commitment by staff who have worked hard to keep the Port running efficiently over the course of the past 12 months.

“It is no secret that COVID has brought with it a new way of life for everyone, however, we have stayed focused on the job at hand and proven ourselves to be resilient and adaptable to change,’’ Mr Ernst said.

“Our staff at Port Authority, who are locals too, have found it incredibly rewarding to support their customers including local businesses they know well, to get goods out to market and their essential supplies in efficiently so they could keep going despite disruptions to businesses due to COVID restrictions.

“By managing the navigation, security and operational safety needs of commercial shipping, Port Authority of New South Wales continues to play a leading role in ensuring our ports can deliver prosperity to the Illawarra and all of NSW,” he said.

The Port Authority of NSW would also like to congratulate all the winners, finalists and nominees in the 2021 IMB Bank Illawarra Business Awards and look forward to continuing working to support local businesses and industry in the district.