The Port of Newcastle informed that it has received a number of bids to develop a container terminal in Newcastle, just after potential operator DP World confirmed it was no longer interested in the port.
However, Port of Newcastle chief executive Craig Carmody also highlighted that the government imposed restrictions on Newcastle competing with Botany for container trade must be lifted for the project to proceed.
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but their agreement came to an end in July after three years of negotiations, while Mr. Carmody did not reveal more information, saying that the negotiations were confidential.
With the new terminal, the Port was to handle all cargo on one site, rather than double handling containers before being unpacked at distant locations.
However, a reason that may impede the new terminal is Newcastle’s proximity to Sydney. Many say that this a problem as the city is too close to Sydney for ships to stop twice. Nevertheless, the Port of Newcastle presented the success of the Tauranga Container Terminal which competes with a larger and nearby operation in Auckland.
Nonetheless, despite being positive, Mr. Carmody says that the terminal would be difficult to build if the container fee agreed during the 2014 privatisation of Newcastle was not removed. The fee doubles Newcastle’s container-handling costs by charging a levy that is paid to the state.
