First cranes arrive for new Brisbane stevedore HPH

Infrastructure development at the Port of Brisbane has reached another milestone with the arrival of two 109 metre high quay cranes for the new Hutchison Port Holdings’ terminal, Brisbane Container Terminals (BCT). 

The new cranes, weighing over 850 tonnes each, are capable of reaching across ships 18 containers wide. 

BCT is on target to start initial operations by the end of the year, marking the entry of Hutchison Port Holdings (HPH) into the Australian market.  

In 2011, HPH handled 13% of the world’s container traffic and further supporting their position as the world’s leading port investor, developer and operator.

BCT Chief Executive, Dr Stephen Gumley, said that the arrival of the cranes was evidence of Hutchison’s commitment to the Australian port industry.

“HPH is investing more than $250 million in the development of the new container terminal in Brisbane,” Dr Gumley said.  

By 2014, the Port of Brisbane will be the first port in Australia where all stevedores in operation – Patrick, DP World and Hutchison Port Holdings – have automated container handling equipment. 

Concerns raised about third stevedore at Brisbane

by David Sexton — last modified Nov 06, 2012 12:49 PM

Port of Brisbane chief executive Russell Smith has admitted to concerns about whether three container stevedores can be viable.

Hutchison Port Holdings is set to join Asciano/Patrick and DP World at the largest Queensland container port, a key test case in stevedoring and competition in Australia.

Mr Smith, who spoke at the recent AusIntermodal 2012 conference in Melbourne, answered a question from QUBE and former Patrick executive Maurice James on whether he had concerns about “excess capacity”.

“Yes ... I do,” Mr Smith told the conference.

“I wasn’t involved when the decision was made [to bring in a third stevedore].

“I think the financial health of our stevedores is important and while Melbourne approaching 3m teu makes sense, in Brisbane, approaching 1.1m teu, doesn’t make a lot of sense.”

Patrick executives have themselves raised concerns about the long-term viability of three container stevedores in competition, suggesting the market is simply too small.

In June, Asciano chief executive John Mullen said having three competitive stevedores is unlikely to work long-term.

On the other hand, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has long argued a third stevedore would boost productivity, with former head Graeme Samuels referring to a “cosy duopoly” on the waterfront.