Botany's third stevedore decision delayed further

The ports corporation had earlier asked for a three-month extension on its original deadline of mid-August, which would have made November the new cut-off date.

A spokesman for Sydney Ports would not be drawn on whether another extension had been sought, except to say that talks were continuing and the ports corporation would endeavour to make an announcement “as soon as practicable.”

However, Lloyd’s List DCN understands that the ports corporation is looking to make a final decision by January.

The Australian Trucking Association New South Wales (ATA NSW) — which has for the past few months cried foul over the performance of the two existing stevedores at Port Botany — said further delays would create ongoing headaches for truck drivers.

"When there are peaks in volumes (at the terminal), the two existing stevedores are sometimes unable to handle it (the workload),” ATA New South Wales container chairman Mike Moylan said.

“That tends to cause congestion and we have seen that over the last 12 months.

“With the workload spread over three terminals, there would be better distribution and that would be better for us.” 

The Port Botany container terminal upgrade involves a 63 ha reclamation and new road and rail access, taking the number of container berths at Port Botany to 11.

Hong Kong-based Hutchison Ports, which has already emerged in the Australian market with a beachhead at the port of Brisbane, has long been touted as a likely choice, though some now speculate it may instead look to buy out one of the incumbents, allowing the third terminal to go to one of the other bidders.