The proposal would pave the way for larger ships to berth at Australia’s
largest port.
Under the proposal,
ICTSI would undertake a phased development of the Webb Dock North Container
Terminal and integrate its operations with VICT. The design would deliver
higher operating efficiencies at a lower development cost and, importantly,
with a significantly reduced environmental impact.
The development would increase VICT’s container capacity to 3.7m teu allowing for four
container berths with the ability to service vessels up to 14,000 teu and up to
367 meters in length.
“Victoria’s growing economy
presents the Port of Melbourne with the opportunity to consolidate its
position as Australia’s number one container port,” said ICTSI’s executive vice
president, Christian Gonzalez.
ICTSI has engaged multiple global firms to assess the merits of its
proposal in comparison to current expansion designs for the Port of Melbourne.
Jacobs Engineering undertook a detailed
technical assessment, including estimates of construction costs, while Boston
Consulting Group focused on market and economic assessments. The external
reports conclude that ICTSI’s proposal could deliver cost savings of $165m and
spread the timing of spend over a longer time period while introducing
significant capacity into the market sooner.
Gonzalez said
preliminary discussions had been held with the Port of Melbourne and its owners
as well as the Victorian Government and other key industry stakeholders.