OCEANIA

NSW unveils 20-year ports strategy

12 years ago

The state of New South Wales has unveiled its first Freight and Ports Strategy, aiming to cater for a near-doubling of freight volumes in 20 years. The strategy document says the growth in the NSW will impact significantly on ports, road and rail networks, intermodal terminals and freight corridors.

A priority is to shift more freight onto rail. This is important for movement of cargo to and from Port Botany and Port Kembla, with container volume growth forecast to continue at between 5% and 8% per annum over the next 25 years. On the basis of 7% growth, the volume of containers through NSW ports will be about 11m teu by 2036/37.

Strategic action programmes include making cross-state-border freight movements seamless, improving road movements including for high-productivity vehicles, moving more freight in off-peak periods, expanding the use of coastal shipping feeders and improving the efficiency of land transport network connectivity.

The strategy foresees Port Botany remaining the key container port in NSW, Port Kembla as the primary port for motor vehicle imports and continuing to support export trades such as coal, minerals and grain, and Newcastle needing to support forecast growth in coal exports.

Newcastle has significant opportunities for growth and development and has prepared plans to improve general cargo handling and bulk liquids capabilities.