Australia: Port of Melbourne Reaches Another Milestone

The $1.6 billion redevelopment of the Port of Melbourne reached a major milestone today, with Premier Ted Baillieu officially inviting expressions of interest seeking operators for the new Webb Dock container terminal, automotive terminal and Pre Delivery Inspection (PDI) Hub.

“Melbourne is Australia’s largest container, automotive and general cargo port with trade results for the 2011-12 year showing 7.8 per cent growth in container trade to 2.58 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) and 4.5 per cent growth in automotive trade to 356,000 vehicles,” Mr Baillieu said.

“This represents about 36 per cent of the nation’s total container trade and 40 per cent of the nation’s automotive exports and imports, which is why Victoria is known as the country’s freight and logistics capital.

“With trade forecasts indicating that these figures are expected to increase dramatically over the next 10 years, it is vital this reputation is protected along with the jobs and economic benefits it provides for the State.

“This Expressions of Interest (EoI) process is the first stage in a competitive bidding process for each of the three components of the Webb Dock Development – the container terminal, the automotive terminal and the PDI Hub.

“All EoI’s will be assessed using commercial, environmental and community amenity criteria, while the Port of Melbourne will deliver the backbone infrastructure required for this development,” Mr Ballieu said.

Minister for Ports Denis Napthine said the Port Expansion Project was critical for Victoria’s future and would create more than 2,600 jobs.

“This EoI process is a highly competitive, significant commercial opportunity that has already attracted the interest of some of the world’s best port and automotive operators,” Dr Napthine said.

“In releasing formal invitations for the EoI today, the Port of Melbourne will be able to drive the best possible deal that will create jobs, build trade and protect Victoria’s economic future.

“In April this year, we announced the start of this project and less than 6 months later we are inviting private sector bids for this exciting project. The Victorian Coalition Government is looking forward to the conclusion of the bidding process where we will announce the three successful operators for the Webb Dock precinct,” Dr Napthine said.

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Press Release, October 3, 2012