Source: Port of Newcastle
Project cargo is the transportation of large, complex and high value pieces of cargo involving the use of ships, cranes, trucks and trains to carefully move the heavy equipment.
Port of Newcastle has seen a steady flow of project cargo over the past 12 months thanks to its close proximity to Sydney, the Hunter Valley mining region and a number of new wind farm developments throughout the state.
The Port's Trade Development Specialist, Daniel Miles, works closely with freight forwarders, stevedores, transport and heavy haulage companies to ensure the smooth delivery of project cargo handled through the Port.
Read on to find out more about the movement of project cargo through the Port of Newcastle.
What are the main types of project cargo handled by Port of Newcastle?
In the past 12 months Port of Newcastle has facilitated a variety of project cargoes, including wind farm components, electrical transformers, passenger rail wagons, yachts, ferries, industrial plants, large cranes, mining screens and other equipment.
Port of Newcastle was selected as the port of choice to support the import of the Sydney Growth Trains Stage 2 and Sydney Ferries river cats.
In May, the Port also saw the return of ro-ro vessel calls by Höegh servicing high and heavy equipment for the mining, construction and agricultural sectors.
Is there a specific area that the port handles project cargo?
Port of Newcastle has two well-established precincts for handling project cargo. These are the Mayfield 4 and West Basin 4 berths. Both berths have large laydown and storage areas with direct access to rail and the heavy vehicle road network. Direct discharge to rail is a distinctive feature of the West Basin 4 berth.
What's next for project cargo through the Port of Newcastle?
There is a strong pipeline of wind farm projects commencing in the next five years and that will see the continued import of wind turbine blades and components through the Port of Newcastle.
An increase in roll-on / roll-off vessel calls will also provide significant supply chain cost savings for mining, construction and agricultural equipment customers in the Hunter Valley and northern NSW.
Port of Newcastle is well-positioned to support future large-scale infrastructure projects designed to stimulate the economy post COVID-19.