Shipping Australia’s recently retired Victorian State Secretary, Mr Phil Kelly, OAM has been honoured by the maritime industry. At Lloyds List Australia’s Shipping and Maritime Industry Awards last night, Phil was selected as the 2016 inductee into the Maritime Industry Hall of Fame. “Phil Kelly remains an icon of the shipping industry, especially in Melbourne where he has spent almost 70 years in the industry”, Rod Nairn, Shipping Australia CEO said.
Phil was influential during the transition from general cargo to containerisation, became chief executive of Associated Container Transport Australia, served on the board of the Melbourne Harbour Trust and took on the role of general manager of the historic barque Polly Woodside.
Retiring from full-time work 28 years ago, his commitment to the maritime sector saw him immediately take on the role of Victorian Secretary of the Australian Chamber of Shipping, which later became part of Shipping Australia Limited.
It was a role he held until his retirement in July this year. With his polite demeanour and quiet efficiency, he guided the Victorian State Committee, demonstrating an outstanding ability to represent the industry at the highest level and negotiating positive outcomes for members.
This is not the first time that Phil has been recognised. In 2008 Mr Kelly was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for services to the shipping industry and to the preservation of Australia’s maritime history.
Since then he has continued to contribute to numerous Victorian logistics reviews and represented the shipping industry in the channel deepening project, empty container park working groups and last year’s review of the privatisation bill for the Port of Melbourne.
“It would be hard to find a more respected and committed individual in the maritime sector”, Rod Nairn said.
Editor’s note:
For additional information contact Rod Nairn, chief executive officer on 0449 902 457.
Shipping Australia is a peak national shipping association comprising 35 member shipping lines and shipping agents that would be involved with over 70 per cent of Australia’s container and car trade, over 60 per cent of our break bulk and bulk trades, and significant cruise ship and tug operations.