Port Botany "making progress" on improving land-side supply chain operations and rail services
October 9, 2009
Sydney Ports Corporation is “making progress” on improving land-side supply chain operations and rail services.
A rail team has been established as part of the Port Botany Landside Improvement Strategy (PBLIS), with representatives meeting with managers of the Macarthur Intermodal Shipping Terminal (MIST) facility to gain insight into what is needed to run a successful intermodal hub.
Sydney Ports’ Executive General Manager of Industry Relations, Lachlan Benson, says the rail unit is also working with the Federal Government’s Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC), Sydney rail provider Railcorp and other track operators and port stevedores.
“The PBRT continues to make progress,” he says.
The MIST visit provided the opportunity to “inspect one of the newest purpose-built intermodal terminals in greater western Sydney”.
Benson says the establishment of a reliable and effective rail operation at the port is high on the port’s agenda.
“Excluding trans-shipments, the rail modal share represents almost 23 percent of the total trade through Port Botany last financial year,” he says.
“The first-hand accounts discussed and gathered during the meeting at MIST will also assist the PBRIT as we make progress towards the New South Wales Government’s objective of a 40 percent rail modal share to and from Port Botany.
“In addition it will help provide a greater understanding as Sydney Ports Corporation progresses with the development and construction of the 60 hectare Intermodal Logistics Centre at Enfield Project.”
SPC says it will continue to review industry feedback as part of the PBLIS project.