During the past five years, Gladstone Ports Corporation (GPC) has been strategically planning for the global shift in energy.
The Port of Gladstone has earnt a global name for being one of the world’s top five exporting ports, with over 30 different products exported around the world. GPC prides itself on having decades of experience providing energy to the markets in Europe and Asia.
“The last decade has seen a huge growth in our exports and a greater mix of energy diversification including liquefied natural gas (LNG). As the state’s energy transformation powers new growth and jobs opportunities, GPC’s management team are now firmly focussed on the future,” Gladstone Ports Corporation CEO, Craig Haymes, said.
Within the decade, GPC expects to make history – exporting green ammonia. It’s all part of the renewable revolution and it’s taking shape at GPC. Mr Haymes believes renewable energy is the way of the future and can be executed through a seamless sustainability strategy.
“Things are moving fast,” Mr Haymes said. The Port of Gladstone’s future renewables precinct is located adjacent to the 27,000 hectare Gladstone State Development Area.
It has been identified as the ideal precinct for renewables developments – a significant industrial and manufacturing enabler. “Just in the past two years alone, GPC has moved more than one million cubic metres of material through a reclamation program to form new port land areas at the Renewables Hub Precinct.
“The precinct has the capacity to expand up to eleven wharves in response to demand, and will generate more regional opportunities and jobs.” Mr Haymes said. Discussions with multiple large scale international proponents are already underway.
“GPC has been working with a number of proponents to facilitate hydrogen in the region with established agreements already in place,” Mr Haymes said.
Becoming Australia’s leading hydrogen export location
Mr Haymes took the reins of CEO at GPC earlier this year and is no stranger to the phrase ESG. The highly experienced civil engineer has more than 30 years of experience in multinational companies. He has earned a reputation for his focus on suitability performance, environmental protection and maintaining a safe workplace.
“All the strategic planning, tactics and infrastructure undertaken is underpinned by GPC’s strong ESG credentials,” Mr Haymes said. “ESG forms part of sustainability at GPC and informs and records our performance against key criteria, driving the direction of the organisation through continual improvement.”
Since the Australian Government’s National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (NGER) began in 2009, GPC has recorded a reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions which is helping meet Australia’s international reporting obligations.
It’s all been achieved through a number of voluntary energy and fuel efficiency programs and the mandatory Renewable Energy Target electricity contributions.
“We are setting ourselves up for success by focusing on safety and environmental performance and we’re looking to the future by embracing innovation and delivering on our environmental, social and governance obligations in the pursuit of being Australia’s premier multi-commodity port,” Mr Haymes said.
“There’s no doubt that GPC has a reputation for strong relationships with its customers, its resilience and adaptability and its multi-commodity trade base. “The future of hydrogen in our region is becoming very real, we’re already seeing hydrogen vessels bunkering at our Port – it’s a glimpse into the future and we’re excited to harness it and make history. “By 2030, we expect GPC to be Australia’s leading hydrogen export location,” he said.
