POAGS is the pre-eminent supplier of stevedoring logistics and port management services in the Australian region. POAGS has had a presence in Australia since 1852, through its heritage as a shipping company, vessel agent and stevedore. POAGS, until 2006 operated as P&O Ports Limited, now offers over 150 years of Australian stevedoring expertise, which extends to port development, management and cargo handling services.
In 2006, the global assets of P&O Steam Navigation company, including P&O Ports, were acquired by DP World and subsequently in May 2007, a consortium led by Kaplan Equity Limited, a private equity fund managed by Kaplan Funds Management acquired the automotive and general stevedoring operations from DP World and launched the business P&O Automotive and General Stevedoring and DP World retained a shareholding in the company
In November 2009, the Kaplan consortium acquired the 25% shareholding from DP World and the P&O Automotive and General Stevedoring business rebranded to become known as POAGS.
Management
The POAGS Company is chaired by Chris Corrigan (former Managing Director of Patrick Corporation) and Don Smithwick, the former director of Patrick’s Automotive and General Stevedoring is the Managing Director. In addition, the company is supported by a highly experienced leadership team and a regional state management structure.
POAGS operations in Australia consist of on-wharf, port precinct facilities in all Australian Capital city ports and bulk and general stevedoring operations in 24 Australian ports, together with cargo storage, materials handling and distribution operations in all Australian states.
Ownership
POAGS is owned by a consortium of significant shareholders composed of international shipping companies and investors that includes a $200million ASX listed Investment Fund, called Qube Logistics. POAGS is part of the Qube Logistics group of companies which has a market capitalisation in excess of $1 billion dollars.
Qube logistics has recently completed in-principle agreements with all shareholders to acquire their interests in POAGS. Following appropriate unit holder approval this will provide Qube Logistics full ownership of all of the issued shares in POAGS and allows for the proposed corporatisation of Qube and internalisation of Qube’s management.
POAGS is a growing company with a significant shareholder that has a willingness to invest in the development of the organisation.
Commitment to the future
POAGS is committed to servicing its existing clients, expanding and developing new business opportunities by extending services at existing facilities, creating new facilities by investing in infrastructure domestically and working in partnerships to build new business opportunities.
Partnerships and joint venture arrangements
POAGS has a number of partnerships and joint venture arrangements, including:
Northern Stevedoring Services (NSS), formerly Northern Shipping and Stevedoring (formed 1971), is located at Townsville Queensland with operations spanning regional Queensland’s major ports facilities in Townsville, Cairns, Gladstone and Mackay. NSS is a private company jointly owned by Xstrata Copper and POAGS. The shareholders bring significant experience from the mining and stevedoring industries to NSS.
With a commitment to regional Queensland, NSS has invested in state of the art facilities and equipment, with a focus on setting the benchmark for the delivery of stevedoring and supply chain solutions for all clients. NSS is the only integrated stevedoring and supply chain service solutions within the region and is supported by regional Queensland’s largest and most efficient stevedoring workforce and a premier fleet of mobile equipment.
A Strong Partner
POAGS has extensive expertise in providing general and bulk stevedoring and logistics services to our customers across a broad mix of industries and cargo commodities.
- General and Break Bulk Cargo
- Bulk Material Handling
- Motor Vehicles
- Containers
- Industrial Break Bulk
- Oil and Gas Servicing
- Steel and Metal Products
- Facilities Management & Maintenance
- General (livestock, Forestry, Grain)
- Specialist Heavy Lift & Project Cargo
POAGS has significant industry expertise, is backed by a professional, dedicated and experienced labour workforce, coupled with specialised equipment and lifting gear for efficient and safe vessel operations and the highest standard of cargo care.
POAGS currently handles more than 20million tonnes per annum of bulk products and with our continued involvement in a number of bulk commodity handling projects these volumes are expected to increase. Our significant and growing experience base in the efficient operation and management of multi-user bulk facilities will provide substantial value to project partners.
Coupled with the experience of our management and ownership team in multiple elements of the logistics chain and a proven track record in working successfully with port authorities, we believe that POAGS will be a strong partner for the development, operation and management of bulk projects.