On Wednesday the 26th October, the Australian National Maritime Museum launched their latest exhibition - "Container - the box that changed the world".
Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight, Melinda Pavey MP officially opened the exhibition at a function attended by representatives of the shipping and transport industry as well as museum members and special guests.
NSW Ports is proud to be major sponsors of this exhibition. Housed entirely within six 20-foot shipping containers, the exhibit will invite visitors to explore the technical, economic, environmental, social and cultural impacts of containerisation.
Peter Dexter AM, Chairman of the Australian National Maritime Museum said, “The Australian National Maritime Museum has a mandate to share significant stories, both ancient and contemporary, from Australia’s maritime history and that of the shipping industry, and in particular the container, is one that we are excited to be telling in this innovative way. The response from the industry has been exceptional and we are thrilled to have so many major businesses come together to make this exhibition happen. Our sincere thanks goes to all our supporters and in particular NSW Ports who have been instrumental in this project.”
Marika Calfas, CEO NSW Ports said, “As the custodian of Port Botany and Port Kembla, import and export gateways handling people’s valued goods, we are delighted to be able to partner with industry and the Australian National Maritime Museum to bring this exhibition to life.”
About the exhibition:
The six colourful containers are scattered around the museum in the Darling Harbour precinct and each container has a specific theme:
SHIP - Learn the history of transporting goods in crates, bales, sacks and barrels loaded by hand, and how the container now allows the world's 1.5 million seafarers to deliver 10 billion tonnes of trade each year.
CARGO - Discover the intricate world of trade, customs, and biosecurity, and how perishable goods are transported around the world in the 'cold' chain.
PORT - See the radical transformation of ports and port cities in Australia and around the world. Have a peek behind the scenes at Port Botany, one of Australia's busiest ports and the gateway for 99 per cent of New South wales' container demand.
OCEAN - Explore the challenges mass shipping poses to our oceans, including lost shipping containers, cargo spills and acoustic pollution, and the current focus on sustainable shipping.
BUILD - Be delighted by the quirky and innovative ways containers are used beyond shipping, including ‘small homes’, food trucks, art installations and even swimming pools.
Open daily until late 2018, the exhibition is located adjacent to the Maritime Museum in Darling Harbour and is FREE!