The Port of Melbourne has struck a deal that will help ease shipping container congestion.
Australian logistics services provider Qube and the Port of Melbourne has secured a short-term agreement that makes available empty container park (ECP) capacity for up to 9,000 TEU. Port of Melbourne CEO, Brendan Bourke, said the solution will help alleviate the backlog of empty shipping containers across the supply chain as a result of strong and sustained import volumes.
Port of Melbourne CEO, Brendan Bourke, said: “It’s critical that the port supply chain is able to able to operate as efficiently and effectively as possible, and part of that is making sure that empty containers can be moved and utilised to enable the flow of goods into and out of the port.
“We have closely monitored land requirements for the supply chain throughout the pandemic. As a result, we’ve been able to reallocate a parcel of land for a period of time which allows Qube to make use of the site while we work with industry towards longer-term solutions.”
Swanson Dock utilisation
Allocation of the 60,000sqm site within the Port of Melbourne’s Swanson Dock precinct, which is operational immediately under Qube’s management, follows ongoing discussions between Port of Melbourne, Qube and Freight Victoria.
Welcoming the deal, Qube’s chief operating officer, Paul Digney, said: “Qube is delighted to be part of the solution with the Port of Melbourne and we look forward to support from the industry.”
Melbourne has been experiencing container congestion since last year, exacerbated by earlier congestion at Sydney, which has also faced industrial action.
