Gladstone Ports Corporation (GPC) has today announced Craig Haymes, a highly experienced civil engineer with national and international resources-sector experience as the organisation’s new Chief Executive Officer.

GPC Chair Dr Anthony Lynham said Craig had a reputation for leadership, business operations, project management, sustainability performance, corporate governance and all with a focus on environmental protection and maintaining a safe workplace.

“The Corporation is entering an exciting phase and we welcome Craig and his diverse experience,” Dr Lynham said.

“Our operations across the three ports of Rockhampton, Gladstone and Bundaberg are growing and diversifying at an extraordinary rate - hydrogen will be a fundamental part of our port in the near future but we also know that coal and LNG exports will be here for decades to come.”

Dr Lynham said Craig had more than 30 years of experience in multinational companies including across Australia, Canada and the United States.

“He was most recently Executive Vice President with INPEX Australia, where he had a lead role in the $60M INPEX Ichthys LNG Project in the environmentally sensitive area of Darwin Harbour and previously held Senior Executive positions with ExxonMobil in multiple regions and countries,” Dr Lynham said.

“In addition to Craig’s proven experience with growth and commercial strategies, he also values actively volunteering and participating in the communities in which he lives and works.”

“GPC is Australia’s premier multi-commodity port and we have a proud history of creating and facilitating prosperity for Queensland; our pre-eminence as one of the State’s key export locations assures our future.”

“Since 1914 the ‘then’ Gladstone Harbour Board has always maintained an emphasis on jobs, trade, and the region’s prosperity and the GPC Board look forward to working with Craig to further enhance that focus.”

Dr Lynham thanked all involved in the selection process, noting nearly 60 applicants for the role and acknowledging GPC’s standing as one of the world’s finest seaport operators.

Mr Paul Heagney will continue as Acting CEO until Mr Haymes takes up office in May 2022.