A Day on the Water with Svitzer

Our CEO Paul Walsh had the pleasure of visiting Svitzer’s Port Botany operations recently to gain a firsthand insight into the critical role tug operations play in keeping our ports running smoothly. Paul took the opportunity to head out on the water with Skipper Ben and his crew onboard the Warrawee as they went about their work. Their professionalism, skill, and generosity were on full display throughout the visit. 

To become a Master of a tug vessel, the minimum qualification required is an AMSA-issued <45m Near Coastal certificate. This credential is typically attained after several years of progressive study and hands-on maritime experience. In addition to formal qualifications, operators may also require specific training and familiarisation tailored to their vessels and port operations, ensuring Masters are fully equipped to navigate the unique demands of their working environment.

Australia’s maritime sector is critical to our economic sovereignty and national security, enabling 99% of trade by volume and 79% by value. As the sector continues to rapidly evolve, a highly skilled Maritime workforce is essential to meet future demands and drive national productivity and prosperity.

A special thank you to Videlina Georgieva, Bas Bolyn, Daniel Wade, Daniel Richardson, and Casey Poasa for making the visit possible and to the crew of the Warrawee. It’s clear that Svitzer has built a team to be proud of, who are highly skilled, deeply committed, and passionate about their work.

Svitzer has launched a new four-part documentary series titled Masters of the Port, aimed at shining a spotlight on the people, technology, and precision behind maritime operations.

The Masters of the Port series follows experienced Tug Masters familiarising themselves with operations at the Port of Newcastle, utilising Svitzer’s state-of-the-art maritime training facility as well as real-world training on-water with Check Masters.

David Phillips Chief Operating Officer at Svitzer Australia says, “The video series celebrates the skills and expertise of our crew – which took many years of personal sacrifice and commitment to build – and we also expect the videos to provide an exciting engagement tool to attract new people to the maritime industry.”

Ports Australia said the series highlights how Svitzer is not only preserving critical maritime skills but also raising the bar for safety, professionalism and preparedness across the industry. 

See the trailer here: