DP World celebrated the launch of its expanded Brisbane box terminal on Tuesday with a grand opening signaling the start of operations.
Hailed as the most advanced semi-automated terminal in Australia, the upgraded DP World Brisbane facility includes 14 automated stacking cranes (ASC).
The stacking cranes are remote-operated taking workers off the quayside to the safety of the control room, whilst at the same time improving productivity.
The new equipment is also more energy efficient, using 30 percent less energy than conventional terminal equipment.
Australia’s Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, the Hon Jamie Briggs MP, was joined by DP World Chairman, His Excellency Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, DP World Australia Chairman, Holly Koeppel, and DP World Australia Managing Director and CEO, Paul Scurrah, in officially opening the terminal.
“Automation is the way of the future. It offers skilled jobs and opens new doors for people who may not otherwise consider a career in terminal operating, including women,” said DP World Chairman HE Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem.
“Importantly, automation improves productivity, offering more efficient and faster service to customers.”
“We are proud to be at the forefront of this sea change in port operations and delighted that DP World Brisbane is leading the way in Australia, benefitting Australia’s importers and exporters and contributing to the growth of the Australian economy.”
DP World Australia Chief Operating Officer, Mark Hulme, said: “The Brisbane mode-change project brought together a major terminal operating system upgrade, a variety of sophisticated terminal handling equipment and an advanced computerised control system.
“The new development will provide excellent customer service as a result of higher waterside productivity, added stacking capacity, more consistent operational performance and additional pickup and delivery flexibility.”
Under the new system, containers are transferred by manned shuttle carriers from the quay crane to a waterside exchange area at the front of a module serviced by ASC.
The overall annual capacity of the seven modules has risen from around 500,000 TEU around 900,000 TEU.
DP World Australia, who operates four marine terminals in the country, is a joint venture 25 percent owned by DP World.
