Ports Australia has provided input to the Productivity Commission’s Vulnerable Supply Chains Interim Report, addressing five areas of supply chain vulnerabilities and what is needed from here.
As an island nation, Australia heavily relies on the maritime industry, with over 98 per cent of its international trade passing through ports.
A secure and resilient supply chain is integral to the livelihood of the Australian people and economy.
Although the Productivity Commission’s Vulnerable Supply Chains Interim Report is primarily focused on risks to specific commodities, Ports Australia’s approach takes on a comprehensive examination of vulnerabilities related to the transportation of these commodities.
Ports Australia’s feedback addresses five key risk areas: shipping lines; shipping routes; service provision; worker status; and critical resource and commodity procurement.
All key risk areas address vulnerabilities which have been realised clearer than ever following world events like the COVID-19 pandemic, Suez Canal blockage, and the international seafarer crisis.
Ports Australia’s CEO, Mike Gallacher, said, “The last twelve months have held witness to a challenged yet resilient Australian supply chain despite a multitude of international crises and Ports Australia appreciates this opportunity to examine how we can further bolster its stability.
“The five key risk areas Ports Australia has addressed are issues which will not go away with the end of the pandemic, or the unblocking of the Suez Canal, they will remain thorns in our side and only become bigger problems when world crises hit, meaning we need action from the top now.
“While Ports Australia and other supply chain partners detail a number of key issues and the Productivity Commission is focusing on commodities, it’s important to remember that every link, asset and vulnerability are an interconnected web which will ultimately determine the productivity of our international supply chain.”
To read Ports Australia’s submission to the Vulnerable Supply Chains Interim Report, click here.
