State seeks industry help to boost Melbourne box capacity

VICTORIA Roads and Ports Minister Tim Pallas said the State of Victoria in Australia is calling for expressions of interest from industry on ways to expand container capacity at the Port of Melbourne.

Mr Pallas said supplying a sufficient level of container capacity was vital to the management of Victoria's growing freight trade.

"The [Victoria state John] Brumby Labour Government is taking action to develop Victoria's ports, securing thousands of jobs, boosting the economy and building for our state's future," Mr Pallas said.

"With total container trade through the Port of Melbourne forecast to increase almost four-fold to eight million containers by 2035, we need to ensure the port is capable of managing this important task.

"To that end, the port has tested interest with stevedores, shipping lines and port stakeholders and prepared a business case for the redevelopment of Webb Dock for the government's consideration.

"While the development of Webb Dock and introduction of a third stevedore remains an option to meet growing container capacity at the port, we do want to go back to industry and examine some of the alternatives in greater detail."

Mr Pallas said this would help ensure freight handling and movement were efficient, with prices remaining competitive so Melbourne maintains its position as Australia's premier container port, handling 36 per cent of the nation's container trade, a report published at Florida-based www.thegovmonitor.com said.  
(Source:www.schednet.com)