Sister Port Agreement to Foster Closer Port Ties between Sydney & Nagoya

Sydney Ports Corporation recently signed a Sister Port agreement with Japan’s leading port, Nagoya Port Authority on the day marking the 30 year anniversary of the sister city agreement between the City of Sydney and the City of Nagoya.

“This agreement is a fantastic opportunity for Sydney Ports to build on and showcase Sydney’s growing reputation as a centre for international competitiveness and global trade,” Sydney Ports CEO Grant Gilfillan said.

“Sydney Ports and Nagoya Port Authority have agreed to develop a partnership that will promote cooperation between the two organisations for the mutual benefit of their respective communities as well as the promotion of local tourism.

“The relationship will also promote regular and diverse exchanges for the port authorities’ mutual benefit including cooperation on issues relating to port development, port management, and protection of the environment within port zones.

The signing of the agreement took place on Thursday 4 November 2010 at the Sydney Town Hall by Mayor Takashi Kawamura who is also Chairman Nagoya Ports Authority and Grant Gilfillan, Chief Executive Officer and Director, Sydney Ports Corporation.

The new agreement complements Sydney Ports’ existing Sister Port relationship with Nagoya’s neighbouring port of Yokkhaichi, which has been developing for more than 40 years.

“I would like to congratulate and thank the Mayor of Nagoya City Takashi Kawamura on his commitment to this new agreement between the two port authorities,” Mr Gilfillan said.

Mr Gilfillan said the Sister Port Agreement would also enable the holding of regular visits in each of the ports to further cooperate and to participate in business forums and workshops on related ports business.

“Sydney Ports is undertaking major infrastructure investments such as the $1 billion Port Botany Container Terminal Expansion which will double the handling capacity at the port to meet the projected long-term trade growth for NSW.

“Sydney Ports was honoured and pleased to take our partners from Nagoya Port Authority on a tour of our working port precincts in Sydney Harbour and Port Botany.

“This included a construction site tour of the Port Botany Expansion Project, which is nearing completion and due to be handed over to Hutchison Port Holdings in mid 2011.

“Australia is among the top 5 import and export trading partners with Nagoya Port. As part of this, total container throughput between Sydney Ports and Japan for last financial year 2009/10 was 46,320 TEUs*, which represented an increase of 11% compared to the previous financial year.

“This great result was underpinned by a 12% increase in full containerised exports and a 10% increase in full containerised imports.

The Sister Port Agreement builds on the 30 year Sydney-Nagoya Sister City Relationship which has facilitated a high level of mutual understanding between the two city authorities.