The Port of Newcastle's diversification plans have taken a major step forward with the arrival of two Liebherr mobile harbour cranes.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The German-built LHM 550 cranes arrived in Newcastle on Tuesday morning after leaving the Port of Rostock in late June.
Port of Newcastle chief executive Craig Carmody said the $28.4-million investment marked a significant increase in container handling capabilities at the Port's versatile Mayfield 4 berth.
"Industry has been very clear - they don't want to have to pay more to send their container exports to Port Botany or Port of Brisbane when they could be taking advantage of Port of Newcastle's enviable road and rail network and potentially save millions of dollars a year," Mr Carmody said.
"These two new mobile harbour cranes will allow us to move cargo and containers within the limits of the Port Commitment Deeds (presently 57,000 containers a year), so that we can give our customers a viable alternative.
READ MORE:
"As a global trade gateway and the world's largest coal export port, diversification isn't an option, it's a must, so we are taking what action we can while continuing to advocate for the removal of the Port Commitment Deeds.
"The future of the Hunter region, of local industry and of local jobs is far too important for us to sit idly by. "As the saying goes, 'if you build it, they will come', which is essentially what we are doing.
"By proving that there is demand for containers out of Newcastle, we hope the NSW Government will finally see the irrefutable benefits and remove the PCD.
"Independent analysis has shown a Newcastle deepwater container terminal would contribute $2.5 billion to the national economy and generate more than 19,000 direct and indirect jobs, while reducing road and rail congestion and providing cheaper freight costs for regional importers and exporters, which in the end means more money back into the pockets of local farmers and businesses."
The 550 tonne Liebherr mobile harbour cranes feature the latest lift assistance systems for safer lifts and can handle a diverse mix of project cargo, including wind turbines, timber, steel coils, transformers and mining equipment.
They also have the capability to work in tandem for heavy lifts and lift two 20ft or one 40ft container in a single move. Port of Newcastle's mobile harbour cranes will undergo testing over the coming month and are expected to begin operations in September.
IN THE NEWS:
- New office building in high-rise boom plan for west end
- Hunter Valley Buses looking for more than 30 new drivers to combat cancellations
- 'The call you don't want': Whale watching tour boat saves fishermen from sinking trawler
- Last resort looms large as Newcastle Knights battle to avoid the wooden spoon
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark: newcastleherald.com.au
- Download our app
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News