Industry veteran Rachel Johnson will lead the VPCM from next month
The Victorian Ports Corporation – Melbourne (VPCM) has an inaugural CEO with the Victorian government appointing seasoned freight and logistics executive Rachel Johnson to the role.
Scheduled to lead the new statutory authority next month, Johnson has previously held senior positions in both public and private freight and logistics organisations, including as senior executive with Transport for NSW and as general manager with Westlink Motorway Limited over the past decade.
She has also held management roles with Linfox, Pacific National and Patrick in the years previous.
The announcement will see Johnson focus on the lead up to the completion of the Port of Melbourne lease and report to Port of Melbourne Corporation – Group CEO Nick Easy, who is likely to continue in the position with the private port manager.
In wake of the lease, VPCM’s responsibilities will focus of the areas that are retained by the state, such as management of commercial shipping in Port Phillip channels, waterside emergency and marine pollution response and the management of Station Pier.
“VPCM has a vital role to play in coordinating safe navigation in Port Phillip channels for the 3,000 commercial vessels which call at the Port of Melbourne each year,” Victorian ports minister Luke Donnellan says.
“I look forward to working with Ms Johnson and her team, which will include the statutory role of Harbour Master for the Port of Melbourne.”
Johnson’s term in the position begins September 5.