[050514.EN.SEA] Manila's ICTSI Wins Bid To Build US$509 Million Box Dock in Melbourne

MANILA's International Container Terminal Services Inc (ICTSI) have signed a contract to design, build, operate, maintain and finance a A$550 million (US$509 million) container terminal at the Webb Dock in Melbourne.

ICTSI and Anglo Ports, through its Australian unit, Victoria International Container Terminal Limited (VICTL), have signed a contract with the Port of Melbourne Corporation as part of its A$1.6 billion Port Capacity Project.

VICTL, which will be able to handle 8,000 TEU ships, is 90 per cent owned by ICTSI alongside its Australian partner, Anglo Ports Pty Limited.

Anglo Ports chief Richard Setchell is the former chairman and CEO of P&O Ports worldwide, and brings a wealth of strategic operational experience, said the ICTSI release.

"The Anglo Ports team of port and shipping experts are recognised globally for their proven track record in managing and operating container terminals and other marine facilities," it said.

The contract grants VICTL the rights to design, build and operate the new terminal at Webb Dock and design, build and operate the new, on-port empty container park at Webb Dock East.

Phase 1, to be ready by 2017, will have one berth of 330 metres with three postpanamax cranes, 23.7 hectares of off-dock area with automated operations from the gate to the quay to handle a capacity of 350,000 TEU.

Construction starts late this year. A second phase, to open in 2018, will deliver an additional two postpanamax cranes on a second 330-metre berth.

At full build out, the 35.4-hectare terminal will have six postpanamax cranes on 660 metres of berth, and will be able to handle up to 1.4 million TEU annually, with the empty container park's capacity rising to 280,000 TEU.

Said ICTSI Asia-Pacific chief Christian Gonzalez: "This new concession represents a major milestone for ICTSI. It is a premier project in a country that is considered to be a leader in infrastructure development." 

Source : HKSG.