NSW Ports CEO, Marika Calfas, writes:
“As key trade gateways for our nation, our ports tell the story of 2020. From droughts to bushfires, industrial action and a global pandemic, Port Botany and Port Kembla have continued to adapt to keep trade and the economy
moving.
“Despite these challenges, NSW Ports and port operators have continued to invest in initiatives that will support New South Wales into the future, as our population and trade volumes grow.
“As an essential service and key infrastructure asset for the nation, Port Botany handles around one third of Australia’s container volume and 99.6 per cent of New South Wales’ container volumes.
“To put this into perspective, if you live in Sydney, nearly half (42 per cent) of all goods in your household (including food and beverages) have arrived in a container through the port.
“Throughout 2020, we have been investing in ongoing maintenance of port infrastructure, including wharves and berths to ensure they are able to handle the larger vessels that are now visiting, and in the future will visit, Port Botany.
“In the last financial year, we saw the arrival of 105 vessels with capacity of 8,000 TEU or more, compared with just 37 ships in FY19.”