Southern Ports has become the fifth port authority globally to achieve certification (ISO 55001:2014) for its integrated asset management system.
Southern Ports has designed, developed and deployed the now-accredited system across its three ports at Albany, Bunbury and Esperance over the past four years. It covers an extensive asset base worth more than $1.6 billion and includes 8,700 owned and maintained assets across 14 classes – from sheds, berths and cranes to plant and equipment, navigation aids and ICT infrastructure.
Southern Ports Chief Executive Officer Keith Wilks said it has been a significant investment by the regional port authority but is already paying off in spades.
The improved approach to asset management has assisted Southern Ports through its record capital investment programme with close to 70 renewal projects already completed and more than $50 million of capital investment.
READ: Port of Antwerp-Bruges gains ISO 50001 certificate
Southern Ports achieved ISO 55001:2014 asset management system certification in November following a comprehensive audit of its system and its integration across the organisation.
“Previously when our assets required maintenance, we would undertake it, but the introduction of our internationally recognised asset management system now provides us a full digital picture of the health and lifecycle of our entire asset base so we can get ahead,” said Wilks.
“The benefits have been significant as it provides us the ability to make data-backed decisions on when to invest in preventative maintenance, when to invest in upgrades, and how to make our current assets more effective. It ultimately delivers cost savings because we’re making better investment decisions.
“This accreditation marks a sizable milestone for our organisation and demonstrates that a regional Western Australian port authority can be a global leader.”
READ: DP World Australia terminals integrate Portchain Connect
Asset Management System Auditor, Bureau Veritas’ Dave Daines added: “Southern Ports has a very unique operating environment across four sites spread over large distances and different regions, so developing an integrated system that would accommodate its needs is no easy feat.
“It’s evident that Southern Ports has put in a tremendous amount of work into asset management over the past four years to bring proactive asset management to the forefront of its business in order to achieve operational excellence and efficiency.”
