Hutchison named third Botany stevedore

New South Wales premier Kristina Keneally made the announcement this afternoon at the port.

Hutchison, which operates terminals in 49 ports worldwide, has long been speculated as the likely operator, having secured the tender for two berths at the port of Brisbane to begin operating in 2011.

The announcement will shorten the odds on Hutchison becoming the third national stevedore, in competition with DP World and Patrick.

Sydney Ports Corporation had hoped to confirm the successful bidder 12 months ago but this was re-scheduled until July, then mid-August and later given a more general timeframe of by the end of January next year.

Five groups were shortlisted to operate the site.

The four-year-old Australian International Container Terminals joint-venture of Anglo Ports and International Container Terminals Limited, led by Captain Richard Setchell, had also competed for the Port Botany lease, having failed in its bid for the Brisbane terminal more than two years ago.

The $1bn Port Botany expansion provides an additional 1850 metres of quay-line allowing five new container berths across a 60 ha reclamation.

The site is expected to be ready for the new stevedore by March 2011, with operations expected to begin in early 2012. 

Video - See how the berths are being constructed.