A massive "roll-on roll-off" cargo ship stopped off in Newcastle yesterday, the first time such a vessel had been in the port since 2013, Port of Newcastle said.
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The 200-metre Triton Ace was dropping off mining machinery from Europe for a Central Coast firm and taking delivery of a second-hand 50-tonne high-voltage transformer bound for South Africa.
Port of Newcastle chief executive Craig Carmody said the visit was part of a push by the port to diversify its business.
It is understood the once-busy roll-on roll-off facility at Carrington's Western Basin terminal has done little business since the early 2000s, when the then-Labor government centralised vehicle-imports at Port Kembla.
Both sides of politics, in power, have encouraged Newcastle to concentrate on coal shipments.
Although Newcastle has been blocked from developing a container terminal by the terms of the Coalition government's privatisations of Ports Botany and Kembla in 2013 and Newcastle in 2014, there are apparently no such restraints on the car business.
Mr Carmody said it was obvious businesses were doing things hard at the moment and a diversified port would help with economic recovery.
Mr Carmody would not say outright that Newcastle was challenging Port Kembla for the car trade, but Triton Ace and a second ro-ro due in Newcastle on July 12, Hoegh Trove, are operated by Hoegh Autoliners, a Norwegian-owned shipping line more than 40 vessels in its fleet and a major share of the world's car-shipping business.
Both vessels are of similar size and capacity, rated to carry the equivalent of 6500 motor vehicles.
The port's acting business development manager, Matthew Swan, referred to Hoegh Autoliners and Port Kembla when he said yesterday: "Together we are challenging the status quo and enabling freight to reach the final destination quicker, cheaper and more efficiently."
Canberra consultant and Newcastle container port advocate, Greg Cameron, said importing cars through the port made a lot of sense.
"There was enormous enthusiasm previously from the Sydney auto industry to bring cars in through Newcastle and there is no reason to think that has changed," Mr Cameron said.
The port used the arrival of the Triton Ace to announce it had hired a veteran shipping consultant, Richard Bailey, from Loch and Quay Consulting, to advise on diversification strategies and to work with the various industries that might use a diversified port.
Hoegh Autoliner's Australian sales manager, Nicky Colaco, said a regular service to Newcastle would support Hoegh's regional and Hunter Valley customers.
"The capability to berth at the Port of Newcastle will not only help the company expand its shipping routes but also offer customers in the agriculture, mining and construction industry an alternate option to bring cargo closer to its destination," Mr Colaco said.
The Port Kembla car berths are operated by Australian Automotive Terminals, which has similar operations in Melbourne and Brisbane.
Port Kembla can handle two ro-ro vessels at a time.
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