Assurance

Our team provided critical assurance to the Board during the pandemic verifying that port operations could continue unabated without risk to seafarers, landside staff and the broader West Australian community.

Case Study: Ensuring Operational Continuity and Safety During COVID-19: A Port Hedland Assurance Project

Background When Western Australia closed its borders due to the outbreak of COVID-19, the Port of Port Hedland faced critical challenges. As a major hub for iron ore exports vital to the Australian economy, operations needed to continue while ensuring strict health and safety measures were in place.

Challenges

1. Border Closure Impact: With closed borders, ensuring the uninterrupted export of iron ore from Port Hedland was crucial to maintain economic stability.

2. Seafarer Restrictions: Restrictions prevented seafarers from disembarking, complicating vessel loading and posing COVID transmission risks for landside staff.

Solution Approach

In response to these challenges, a bespoke internal audit was requested by the Board to verify and strengthen existing systems and processes across port operations.

Project Execution

• Rapid Scoping: Our team swiftly scoped the audit to address critical areas of concern related to COVID-19 safety protocols, operational continuity, and compliance with regulatory requirements.

• Execution: The audit was meticulously executed, focusing on:

  • Health and Safety Protocols: Assessing measures in place to prevent COVID-19 transmission among landside staff and maintain operational continuity.

  • Operational Resilience: Reviewing procedures for vessel loading and unloading to ensure efficiency despite seafarer restrictions.

  • Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring adherence to local and national health regulations and port operational standards.

Results The assurance project delivered significant outcomes:

• Effective Controls: The audit provided assurance to the Board that robust controls were in place, mitigating risks associated with COVID-19 and operational disruptions to both seafarers and landside staff.

• Operational Continuity: Despite challenges, the Port of Port Hedland maintained uninterrupted iron ore exports, contributing to the resilience of the Australian economy during the pandemic.

Conclusion This case study illustrates how a rapid and targeted internal audit during unprecedented challenges ensured operational continuity at the Port of Port Hedland. By swiftly adapting and implementing effective controls, our team provided essential assurance to stakeholders, safeguarding both economic interests and public health during a critical period.