Promotion from acting role follows stint on the board and decade in organisation
With her position secure, new NSW Ports CEO Marika Calfas has set her sights on supply chain and gateway efficiency.
Calfas took the role in an acting capacity in August on the departure of then-CEO Stephen Cleary.
“I am passionate about NSW’s port gateways and freight supply chains, and the vital role they play in supporting business and consumer needs. Ensuring they continue to grow and operate efficiently and sustainably is essential,” she says
“In my capacity as CEO, I look forward to continuing to engage with our many stakeholders and working with my colleagues at NSW Ports to deliver these strategic outcomes.”
Calfas beat off other local and international candidates and had the advantage of more than a decades work in the organisation and its previous incarnations.
“Marika has demonstrated that she possesses the experience, qualities and capabilities required to successfully lead the business,” NSW Ports chairman Paul McClintock says.
“We look forward to working with her to deliver on the organisation’s objectives.”
“Marika has a comprehensive knowledge of the business having been part of the NSW Ports Executive Team since 2013 and came to NSW Ports with 12 years’ experience at Sydney Ports Corporation.”
“Marika has impressed the board during her period as Interim CEO and was selected through a global executive search process that identified a very strong field of candidates.
Calfas recently took a board position with the Australian Logistics Council (ALC) and ALC managing director Michael Kilgariff notes here permanent elevation comes at a crucial time.
“Marika brings a wealth of high level experience to the position of CEO of NSW Ports, having played a key leadership role in the development of the organisation’s 30-year master plan,” Kilgariff says.
“Her deep understanding of the long-term challenges and opportunities facing NSW Ports make her the ideal choice to lead the organisation through the next phase of its growth.
“I welcome her appointment to the role, and look forward to working with her on initiatives that improve the efficiency of the state’s supply chains.”
Port Botany is Australia’s second largest container port, handling about one-third of all containerised cargo shipped into and out of Australia.
“There are a number of major freight initiatives in the planning phases in Sydney at the moment to improve supply chain efficiency, and Port Botany is critical to each and every one of them,” Kilgariff says.
“These include an agreement between NSW Ports and Aurizon regarding the future of the Enfield Intermodal Logistics Centre; Asciano’s new Intermodal Strategy incorporating an intermodal site at St Mary’s and DP World’s and Toll’s proposed Villawood joint venture.
“They also include the Moorebank Intermodal Terminal in Western Sydney, to be operated by the SIMTA consortium (consisting of Qube and Aurizon), which is making significant progress.”
The Calfas announcement came soon after NSW freight minister Duncan Gay’s decision to establish a high-level Port Botany Rail Optimisation Group to help drive improved rail network utilisation and efficiency.
“With NSW’s freight task set to nearly double by 2031, the logistics industry needs visionary and strategic leaders with a solid understanding of what’s required to meet this growth; and NSW Ports have this in Marika Calfas,” Kilgariff says.