Huge increase in container traffic underlines need
Work on long-awaited Port of Melbourne rail infrastructure is underway.
The activity is in support of the $125 million Port Rail Transformation Project.
A certain sense of urgency accompanied the state Department of Victoria announcement, the department noting the increasing pressure of container throughtput the port is facing.
“The Port of Melbourne has been working to ensure that the port supply chain is operating as efficiently as possible throughout the pandemic, following a 14.6% increase in containers coming through the port in the 2020/2021 financial year compared to 2019/2020,” it said.
“Delivering a boost to local exporters and the economy, the new rail infrastructure will help importers move containers to distribution centres around Melbourne more efficiently.”
The works include a new rail terminal that interfaces with the East Swanson Dock container terminal.
The department pointed out that improving rail access to the port is a legislated condition of the Port of Melbourne lease following privatisation in 2016 “and is vital to improving freight efficiency and encouraging more freight onto rail”.
WSP and Seymour Whyte Constructions undertook early project planning with site investigations earlier this year. Completion is set for 2023.