Rising NSW Botany Bay volumes hit by truck congestion

NEW South Wales Ports Minister Eric Roozendall revealed that while container volume increased over the last 12 months in Port Botany, stevedoring at the new DP World terminal was hampered by six-hour truck delays.

September container exports increased 8.9 per cent year on year with imports up 9.7 per cent with the first quarter of the financial year 2010/11 picking up to 14.8 per cent year on year to 527,000 TEU. Imports were driven by east Asia at 47.3 per cent, Europe at 15.4 per cent and south east Asia at 14.5 per cent.

"The green shoots of recovery have turned into solid growth: for the 12th month in a row, container volumes at Port Botany have hit new records," Mr Roozendaal said in a Seaports Press Review.

Mr Roozendall is pushing ahead regulations at the port in south-eastern Sydney to ease congestion by ensuring fairness for stevedores and truckers, reported Lloyd's List. "The new regulations will take effect after passing through government protocols in the next few weeks," he said in response to Australia Trucking Association pleas to intervene.

The new N4 Terminal Management System operated by DP World has helped to increase capacity. Latest figures for September up 12.6 per cent to 173,600 TEU led by imports.

Key exports driving increases are iron and steel, up 45.4 per cent, chemicals, 19.6 per cent and paper products up 7.8 per cent. Textile fabrics spiked at 162.9 per cent, chemicals at 17.8 per cent, paper products at 9.8 per cent and machinery and transport equipment at 16.6 per cent.
(Source:www.schednet.com)