Intermodal operation promises reduction in truck and forklift travel and quicker turnaround times
Claiming strong advances in technology and efficiency, international container shipping giant Maersk has hosted Victorian ports minister David Hodgett for the official opening of its new container depot in Melbourne.
Maersk is the anchor tenant of Salta Properties’ 40 hectare Nexus Industrial Intermodal Terminal at Altona.
“It presents a future proof platform for a continued optimisation of metropolitan rail solutions, a safe and inspiring work environment for the team on the ground and it is a location chosen with due consideration ensuring no disruption to the local community,” Maersk regional managing director Nicolaj Noes says.
Previously at Francis Street, Yarraville, the Maersk container handling facility covers a five hectare site that boasts a:
- 20,000 litre container wash bay facility;
- modern, fully equipped 2,500 square metres container repair workshop facility
- 1,500 square meter container survey area;
- provision to ‘pre-trip’ up to 180 TEU of refrigerated containers before distribution
- fully sealed yard of 43,000 square metres allowing for handling of both import and export containers.
“The new depot will also ensure we are more efficient in our container handling helping reduce truck and fork lift miles inside the depot which equates to improvement in truck turn times,” Maersk operations and customer service manager Anthony Randell.
We believe that we now have the most sophisticated and technologically advanced container depot set up in Australia.”
For his part, Hodgett sees the depot as being a boon for transport and logistics as well as nearby residents who have been vocal in opposition to growing truck traffic in the area.
“The move to Salta’s Altona intermodal terminal will improve access for customers and provide the opportunity to move large volume containers into and out of the Port of Melbourne by rail,” Hodgett says.
“The local community will benefit from Maersk’s relocation to the Altona intermodal terminal by significantly reducing traffic volumes and congestion in the built up Francis Street, Yarraville precinct.”
Salta Properties is developing two Nexus Industrial Intermodal Terminals, one in Altona and the second in a 180ha site at Dandenong South.
The latter will open in the coming months when anchor tenant Bunnings opens its new 45,000sqm distribution centre.