Shipping Australia seeks detail on Sydney-Newcastle rail link

Shipping Australia says its members are interested in the future use of Newcastle’s port, but are concerned about the lack of detail on the capacity of the rail corridor between it and Sydney. This would be essential to protect Newcastle from inter-modal congestion in the years to come. As part of Shipping Australia’s investigation of New South Wales’s ports strategy, the ship operators group has held its first council meeting in Newcastle. Chairman John Lines said the 16-member visit provided an opportunity to gather first-hand information on the port. He said it is important for Shipping Australia’s members to keep abreast of what is happening at Newcastle and to consult the Newcastle Port Corporation, from time to time, on matters relating to the container and bulk trade. It is obvious that money has been spent to make sure Newcastle maintains its position as the Australia’s No.1 coal port, he said. "Considering the predicted large rise in container traffic, creation of the multi-purpose terminal will put Newcastle squarely in line to become the State’s second-largest container port after Sydney," Mr Lines said. "But it could be over a longer time span than the port currently predicts." Gary Webb, acting CEO of the Newcastle Port Corporation, was invited to brief the council on latest plans and developments at the port. Mr Webb said the port expected its container traffic to increase to 500,000 teu in the next six-to-10 years and its main focus is on the multi-purpose terminal developed on the former BHP site already owned by the port corporation. It will be redeveloped in the next six to eight years. Mr Webb also explained the issues affecting coal exports and what is being done to alleviate them. He also discussed the additional lighting of the port to let bigger vessels enter at night and to facilitate their movements, and the deepening the port’s main channel.

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