Port of Albany on world stage

This week, Southern Ports welcomed representatives from the Consulate-General of Japan, including Consul-General Yasushi Naito and Vice-Consul Noeru Hara, to discuss trade efficiencies and commodities between regions.

Southern Ports Chief Executive Officer Keith Wilks said he was honoured to welcome Mr Naito and Mr Hara to the Port of Albany.

“Trade between our Port of Albany and Japan is quite significant – over the past year we’ve facilitated more than 1.3 million tonnes of woodchips, grain and mineral sands to multiple ports across Japan,” said Mr Wilks. “This is 25 per cent of our Port of Albany’s total trade.”

“It was special to welcome members of the Consulate-General to tour our port operations and discuss the synergetic agreement which was established more than two decades ago to ensure efficiencies of trade between the Port of Albany and Aburatsu Port.”

“As regional ports, it’s terrific to be recognised for our role in building strong relationships with significant trade partners such as Japan and the Aburatsu Port.”

Consul-General of Japan, Yasushi Naito said he was touched that Southern Ports showed a significant sign of respect by flying the Japanese flag for his visit.

“It’s a rare opportunity for us to see in action the inner workings of an international port, especially one based in Australia and in such a beautiful location such as Albany,” Mr Naito said.

“We’ve always had a great working relationship with the Port of Albany and Southern Ports and this visit only strengthened the respect shared between us.”

The Synergetic Agreement – which was introduced in 2000 after visits between the Port of Albany and Aburatsu Port – commemorates the establishment of the Port of Albany’s Berth 6 to facilitate woodchip trade.

It encourages the interchange of technical information and personnel, to ensure the loading and discharging of vessels is as efficient as possible.

In the past year alone more than 360,000 tonnes of woodchips were exported from the Port of Albany to Japan, with Japan also being on the receival end of the port’s record grain year.

The Port of Albany was one of a handful of stops on the Consul-General’s visit to Albany including meeting with woodchip exporters, and representatives from the City of Albany, National ANZAC Centre and Great Southern Grammar.

Southern Ports CEO Keith Wilks with Consul-General Yasushi Naito overlooking the Port of Albany