Bids invited for Melbourne Port redevelopment
Australian Premier Ted Baillieu has officially invited Expressions of Interest (EoI) seeking operators for the Webb Dock container terminal, automotive terminal and Pre Delivery Inspection (PDI) Hub at the developed Port of Melbourne.
The US$1.6bn redevelopment of the port is vital for the future of the South-East state of Victoria and will create more than 2,600 jobs.
Ted Baillieu said: “Melbourne is Australia’s largest container, automotive and general cargo port with trade results for the 2011 to 2012 showing 7.8% growth in container trade to 2.58 million teu and 4.5% growth in automotive trade to 356,000 vehicles.”
These figures represent around 36% of the country’s container trade and 40% of the nation’s automotive exports and imports and are expected to increase over the next 10 years, protecting the country’s economic future.
He added: H“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.”
Dr Denis Napthine, Minister for Ports, said: “In April this year, we announced the start of this project and less than 6 months later we are inviting private sector bids. 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.”
