LR, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and leading shipowners established the LR-AMSA–Owners Forum in March 2025 to strengthen communication, share operational experience and improve consistency across the sector.
The new Forum heralds the start of an era of collaboration between regulators, classification and operators. Chaired by Paolo Tonon, Technical Director at Berge Bulk, and supported by Catherine Prifti, Vice Chair, Laskaridis Shipping, it brings together stakeholders with direct experience of Australia’s bulk terminals. Their combined insight is intended to help align expectations, address common challenges and support safer, more efficient port calls.
AMSA will be represented by members of its Executive team, including AMSA CEO Kaylene Dale, Executive Director Policy and Regulation Leanne Loan, Branch Manager Maritime Safety Systems Greg Pusey, and AMSA Executive Director Operations, Greg Witherall.
Greg Witherall has first-hand experience of bulk carriers that arrive in significant numbers every day at the country’s vast bulk terminals. “AMSA’s vision is based on the adage: ‘Safe and Clean Seas, Saving Lives’,” he explains. “AMSA welcomes this collaborative platform and we are looking forward to working together in the months ahead.”
Nikos Kakalis, LR’s Global Bulk Carrier Segment Director and currently Managing Director of the Maritime Emissions Reduction Centre (MERC), together with Richard Palmer, Service Delivery Manager Australia & New Zealand, have been closely involved in setting up the Forum and will be tracking progress and the findings of the Forum, and identifying issues that require attention.
“The new setup is a major step forward in safeguarding ship and environment safety standards,” Kakalis tells Horizons. “I stress the importance of working together with a common aim – we are all sharing experiences, information and best practices.”
Collaboration the key
Tonon explains how the Forum works: “As the owners and operators of ships that are calling in Australian ports, the Forum aims to have input from AMSA relating to their experience with different operators. Meanwhile we can deliver feedback and explain the operational challenges we all face when calling at the country’s terminals. We intend to create a collaborative environment where we can all focus on safe, reliable and sustainable port calls.”
Witherall adds: “We have one of the world’s longest coastlines, a magnificent seascape, and an outward-bound population. We have to safeguard our unique environment whilst also managing hundreds of ports calls by the world’s biggest bulk carriers at our iron ore and coal terminals. Our rigorous inspection program, like other port states, is designed to check compliance with international regulations. We enforce exactly the same standards as any other port state authority should be doing.”
Practical challenges
There are some features that are unique to Australia’s bulk trades. More than three-quarters of Australia’s iron ore is shipped to China, a voyage that takes around two weeks. Ships can develop issues during a voyage such as auxiliary engine troubles, fuel pump problems and ballast water issues. Though the vast majority of shipboard issues can be fixed during a voyage, some can’t. Quick turnaround times complicate the logistics of procuring spares and carrying out repairs to avoid deficiencies. Anything more than a simple repair becomes a significant challenge. Australia’s geography creates additionally logistical challenges that can affect repairs.
Laskaridis’ Shipping Catherine Prifti tells Horizons that replacing a burnt-out motor in Port Hedland, for example, could require a unit to be sent from Perth, two days’ drive away. Even if ordered in advance, there is limited time alongside and before the work is completed, the ship may be down to her marks and ready to leave.
Three working groups
To tackle some of these issues, the Forum members have identified three initial working groups. The first of these is the development of a training package for seafarers, specifically preparing them for what to expect in a port inspection in Australia. The benefit of this will extend beyond Australia, as its regulatory requirements mirror those of other port states. The Forum is initially collecting experience and best practices from the members to aid the development of a common training package.
The second working group’s purpose is to gather information on previous dispensations in an anonymised manner and AMSA will provide feedback on how such cases could be resolved effectively. That work will contribute towards developing a common understanding of high value for proactive preparation by owners and operators.
A third working group will address challenges and dangers relating to the operation of pilot ladders. Transfers of personnel to large bulkers, even in moderate sea states, are one of shipping’s most dangerous procedures. High-risk transfers can lead to falls, injuries, or fatalities, which is why pilot ladders are a key focus area in AMSA’s National Compliance Plan 2025-2026.
The new Forum is a positive development between regulators, classification, owners and operators calling at Australian ports.
LR-AMSA–Owners Forum governing board members
- Paolo Tonon, Chair, Berge Bulk
- Catherine Prifti, Vice Chair, Laskaridis Shipping
- Greg Witherall, Board Member, AMSA
- Vinod George, Board Member, CMB.Tech
- Dimitris Monioudis, Board Member, Intercargo
- Richard Palmer, Board Member, LR
- Nikos Kakalis, Secretary, LR
Bulk giant
Mining is the mainstay of Australia’s economy and the country is the largest exporter of iron ore shipping around 900m tonnes in 2025. In coal, it is second only to Indonesia with 2025 exports of about 350m tonnes.
Big bulk carriers are the workhorses of its long-distance bulk trades with some of the biggest ore carriers engaged in iron ore shipments. Destinations for the two major bulks include China, Indonesia, Japan, India and South Korea.
The three main iron ore ports are located in Western Australia’s Pilbara region. Port Hedland is the world’s largest bulk export port and handles cargoes for mining giants such as BHP and Fortescue. Next comes Dampier, a facility used primarily by Rio Tinto, with Cape Lambert at bulk port number three. Between them, the three ports handle more than 90% of the country’s iron ore exports. Coal exports, meanwhile, are shipped from Newcastle, the world’s largest coal port, Gladstone, Hay Point and Abbot Point. All major mining and commodity trading companies, spanning iron ore, coal, salt and other bulk materials, have a presence in Australia.
