Operator outlines Port of Melbourne expansion proposal

14 March 2023

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Global port operator International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) has outlined a proposal for the expansion of the Victoria International Container Terminal (VICT) in the Port of Melbourne, Australia.

Under the proposal, ICTSI would undertake a phased development of the Webb Dock North Container Terminal and integrate its operations with VICT. ICTSI said the design would “deliver higher operating efficiencies at a lower development cost and, importantly, with a significantly reduced environmental impact compared to competing proposals”.

The development would increase VICT’s container capacity to 3.7 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU), allowing for four container berths with the ability to service vessels up to 14,000 TEUs and up to 367m in length.

“ICTSI is keen to solidify its partnership with the Port of Melbourne to deliver the lowest cost, most efficient and environmentally sustainable solution,” said ICTSI’s executive vice president, Christian Gonzalez.

“Our vision for this operation is in lockstep with that of the Port of Melbourne’s own vision as it examines strategies to expand capacity and facilitate the growth of Victorian economy.”

ICTSI has engaged global firms to assess the merits of its proposal in comparison to current expansion designs for the Port of Melbourne. It said the external reports conclude that “ICTSI’s proposal could deliver cost savings of more than A$240m ($165m) and spread the timing of spend over a longer time period while introducing significant capacity into the market sooner”.

“We believe we can partner with the Port of Melbourne to deliver the superior proposal for Webb Dock and in turn, lock in further economic prosperity for Victoria,” said Gonzalez.

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