Brisbane, Australia: Transport Minister John Mickel has commissioned a new A$65 million (US$42.36 million) container wharf, which will boost trading capacity through Queensland's largest general cargo port.
Mr Mickel said the Port of Brisbane's seventh dedicated container berth, Berth 10, would allow at least six container vessels to be accommodated simultaneously by the two major stevedores, Patrick and DP World Brisbane.
"The Port of Brisbane is a significant driver of economic activity for Queensland, and the commissioning of Berth 10 demonstrates the [State] Government's commitment to delivering critical new infrastructure.
"Coming as it does in the emerging climate of tougher economic conditions makes infrastructure like this all the more important. The extra trading capacity provided by this new berth means the port is well positioned to handle future trade growth, and to remain a competitive, commercially focused entity for the benefit of the Queensland economy.
"Importantly, about 80 jobs were created during the construction of the Berth 10 container wharf," Mr Mickel said.
Berth 10 is managed and operated by Patrick Corporation, which is completing its new container terminal behind the berth. The port's other major stevedore, DP World Brisbane, has moved along the quayline and taken control of Berth 7 which was previously operated by Patrick.
Port of Brisbane Corporation Chairman, David Harrison, said both stevedores were making significant investments over the course of the transition.
"Patrick has invested heavily in the development of Berth 10, just as DP World Brisbane is making a substantial investment in the reconfiguration of Berth 7 to meet their specific requirements," Mr Harrison said.
"These investments demonstrate the confidence our stakeholders have in our ability to deliver for the future."
The Port of Brisbane Corporation has invested more than A$724 million (US$471.7 million) in capital expenditure projects during the past five years, and in the next five years plans to spend another A$1 billion (US$651 million).