Port of Melbourne redevelopment bids open
Bids are now open for the $1.6 billion redevelopment of the Port of Melbourne. Expressions of interest (EOI) opened on Wednesday to manage the new Webb Dock container port, automotive terminal and pre-delivery inspection hub, AAP reports.
Ports Minister Denis Napthine said the two automotive EOIs will be open until November 14 and the container component to December 5.
The applicants will be shortlisted early next year and the successful bids were expected to be announced late next year.
By 2035 it was expected trade through Victorian ports would be eight million 20 foot equivalent units, Dr Napthine said.
"Clearly decisions were needed to make sure that Melbourne and Victoria have the capacity to deal with that container trade for our exporters and for our importers," he told reporters.
"The last thing we needed in this state was for ships to be delayed because of lack of berthing space or even worse, ships to be diverted to Sydney or Brisbane because we didn't have the capacity here in the Port of Melbourne or at other ports."
