BY OLIVIA DILLON
Despite a decision by the federal court to uphold the constraints on the Port of Newcastle, the organisation is pushing ahead with its plans to expand its container handling capabilities.
The Port has purchased two mobile harbour cranes at a cost of $28.4 million dollars, so as to further enhance its existing project cargo, general cargo and container handling capability.
Port of Newcastle's Executive Manager of Trade and Business Development, Paul Brown, said the cranes will help to increase efficiency at the Port.
“Our customers already benefit from Port of Newcastle’s uncongested road, dedicated freight rail and berth access and this investment will enable both existing and new customers to utilise the Port’s infrastructure to move their oversized equipment and containerised cargo even more efficiently through Newcastle than they currently can.”
Our team look forward to working with customers and new trades alike to identify how the mobile harbour cranes service can benefit their supply chain, improve efficiency and further support their ability to successfully compete in international markets."
The cranes are expected to arrive in mid-2022 and are capable of handling an array of project cargo, including wind turbines, mining equipment and timber.
Port of Newcastle CEO Craig Carmody, said
the investment represents part of the Port’s long-term diversification
plans to better meet the demands of customers and boost the economy.
“We are firmly focused on seizing
opportunities that will create a broad mix of trade opportunities which help to
support our local industry, boost jobs in addition to the 9000 positions the
Port directly and indirectly supports now, and build a prosperous local, state
and national economy.”
Mr Carmody said that while he cannot currently announce the go-ahead of their $2.4 billion Multi-purpose Deepwater Terminal project, the Port of Newcastle's goals are unwavering.
Mobile Harbour Cranes
