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PHOTO courtesy of DP World - Victorian Minister for Ports, Denis Napthine, inspecting DP World's expansion plans along with DP World Australia Managing Director Ganesh Raj
AUSTRALIA'S LARGEST CONTAINER PORT TURNING GREEN
DP World media release - Tuesday 16 October 2012
Victorian Minister for Ports Denis Napthine today launched the newest eight straddles at DP World Melbourne to formally commission this important Victorian freight industry initiative. The Minister was also updated on DP World's capacity expansion plans at the West Swanson Terminal.
"Trade at the Port of Melbourne continues to thrive, and DP World finalising its recent procurement of a total of 22 new fuel efficient diesel-electric straddle carriers demonstrates a significant long term investment," Dr Napthine said.
DP World Australia Managing Director Ganesh Raj said:
"We are very pleased to announce a significant DP World Melbourne initiative with a complete new fleet of 22 environmentally-friendly, diesel-electric straddle carriers into our container handling operations at West Swanson Terminal.
"14 new Terex Noell NSC 644 E Diesel-Electric Straddle Carriers are already in operation, and this final batch of eight comes into service in time for the peak Christmas import season.
"Assembled on site at West Swanson Terminal the straddle carriers also feature advanced power management software which helps reduce fuel consumption; the site currently consumes approximately 500 kilolitres of diesel per month.
"This new equipment will also help deliver twin benefits of reducing DP World's carbon emissions as well as improving efficiency and productivity at Australia's largest container port.
"DP World Australia remains committed to providing the necessary infrastructure to increase capacity and efficiency at West Swanson Dock, to cater for medium to long term customer demand," Mr Raj said.
DP World today also launched a three month trial of Caltex B20 Bio-Diesel Fuel into the eight new straddle carriers with a view of transforming Australia's largest container port into a dynamic and environmentally sustainable operation.
General Manager DP World Melbourne Andrew Jena said:
"DP World will review the results of the trial and the B20 fuel (a blend of fuel containing 20% renewable products) could potentially be used in the remainder of DP World Melbourne's straddle carrier fleet.
"The investment in new equipment and commencement of the biofuel trial forms part of DP World's commitment to sustainable work practice in an effort to help reduce the broader Port of Melbourne's carbon footprint."