ICTSI launches new box terminal in Melbourne

VICT, which is owned by ICTSI, signed an agreement with the Port of Melbourne Corporation in 2014 for the design, construction, commissioning, operation, maintenance and financing of the port’s new terminal and empty container park at the Webb Dock.    Victoria International Container Terminal’s (VICT) new terminal at the Webb Dock in Melbourne, Australia has been launched ahead of schedule, International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) said Tuesday.
   VICT, which is 100 percent owned by ICTSI, signed an agreement with the Port of Melbourne Corporation in May 2014 for the design, construction, commissioning, operation, maintenance and financing of the Australian port’s new international container terminal and empty container park at the Webb Dock.
   “Once we start operations in January, VICT will be the most technologically advanced container terminal in the world,” ICTSI Chairman and President Enrique K. Razon Jr. said.
   The terminal took delivery of five neo-Panamax quay cranes earlier this year, which will work almost fully automated in combination with other automated port equipment.
   ICTSI said in July that construction of the terminal commenced in late 2014, and phase two will be available in 2017.
   Overall, the Port of Melbourne is currently frequented by 27 liner services, 23 of which are fully cellular container services, according to ocean carrier schedule and capacity database BlueWater Reporting’s Port Dashboard tool. The largest vessels currently calling the port are deployed on MSC’s Australia Express service, which has an average vessel capacity of 6,071 TEUs. The vessels on this loop call Patrick’s East Swanson Dock terminal at the port, according to MSC’s most recent online service schedules.