Hutchinson Ports Australia (HPA) has recently cut the ribbon on its new Brisbane Container Terminals venture.
The opening ceremony was attended by Australian Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss. Speaking at the opening, Mr Truss acknowledged the investment that HPA had put into the infrastructure at both its Brisbane and Sydney container terminals, and the overall benefits that will flow on from increased competition in the stevedoring industry.
HPA CEO Dr Stephen Gumley was also in attendance, commenting: "Until now this market was the sole province of two companies. Now it is one in which three companies vie for shipping line business. This has to be good for shipping lines and their customers with greater value and better service".
Shipping industry peak body Shipping Australia welcomed HPA's entrance into the market, but said the current container throughput will make economic sustainability difficult, re-emphasising its call for an overhaul of Australia's coastal shipping legislation.
"There is now great potential for increased container volumes through Brisbane," said Shipping Australia CEO Rod Nairn.
"It would be good sto see the coastal shipping regulations freed up so that some of this excess capacity is taken up by environmentally efficient movement of domestic freight by sea."
