Stevedore Patrick reports record container volume in December

By: Jason Whittaker

Date: 23.01.2008

A record volume exceeding 250,000 TEU moved through Patrick’s container terminals in December, parent company Asciano has announced. "The record

A record volume exceeding 250,000 TEU moved through Patrick’s container terminals in December, parent company Asciano has announced.

"The record number of containers handled is 12 percent higher than the same period in 2006 and is a clear indication that our terminal’s performance is on par with the best of our international counterparts," Asciano Chief Operating Office Don Telford says.

Patrick’s terminals in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Fremantle handle more than 50 percent of Australia’s total container trade.

"Our capacity to handle the growing volumes currently moving through our terminals is testament to our investment, our people and our ability to manage growth," Telford says.

"The fact that this milestone has been achieved while infrastructure improvements and crane replacements has been taking place is a credit to the workforce and operational management."

Patrick has invested heavily in all its container terminals across the country, Telford says, and has delivered a number of new cranes and straddles in the past 12 months.

Ten new straddles will become operational at East Swanson Dock in early 2008 to accompany the two new cranes that were placed into service earlier this year.

Five new rail mounted gantrys currently being commissioned at Port Botany will become operational in February 2008 and will significantly improve the landside efficiency in and out of the terminal.

Asciano says as new equipment becomes operational productivity at the terminals will improve further as will its overall capacity.

Construction of our new B10 terminal at Fishermans Island has commenced and is progressing well, the company reports, and further expansion of the Autostrad fleet is on order.

"Planning for the next expansion phase of our terminals is well advanced and we will continue to increase our capacity to service Australia's port growth for decades to come," Telford says.