William Scott
Port of Newcastle has expanded its trade offerings by handling passenger vehicle imports, with several car carriers discharging over 2,500 passenger and heavy vehicles at the Port over the Christmas and New Year period.
The passenger vehicle imports follow Port of Newcastle’s approval from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) in October 2024 as a first point of entry port.
In recent years, DAFF has tightened biosecurity requirements to protect Australia from foreign pests and contaminants, however, with limited ports approved to import passenger vehicles – only one previously in New South Wales – consumers have experienced delays in receiving their orders due to quarantine requirements and supply chain delays.
Port of Newcastle Acting CEO, Nick Livesey, said the Port is responding to the needs of industry and consumers.
“The Productivity Commission and National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy both highlight the need for improved supply chain resilience across our ports and freight supply chain, and we are responding to those needs,” Mr Livesey said.
“In recent years, Port of Newcastle received calls from shipping lines globally requesting they unload vehicles in Newcastle due to extensive waits to access their proposed destination.
“We didn’t have the approval to take vehicles then, but we do now and are ready to cater for the needs of the broader automotive industry, should it be passenger vehicles, agriculture or mining.”
Port of Newcastle Executive Manager of Growth and Development, Kate McArthur, said the port has capacity, availability and potential for growth to accommodate industry needs.
“Vehicle imports is one of three strategic projects Port of Newcastle is focusing on, the others being a container terminal and clean energy precinct,” Ms McArthur said.
“With over 300 hectares of the Port’s lease land vacant, we are the only port on the East Coast of Australia that can accommodate the needs of the industry at the scale required.
“We have been importing high and heavy (rail wagons, locomotives and excavators, for example) for many years, which is complemented by our superior access to the national road and rail networks and will deliver the same benefits to the broader automotive industry.”
The shipments over the Christmas and New Year period received at Port of Newcastle have included over 2,500 passenger vehicles, along with parts and equipment for agricultural and mining equipment.
Port of Newcastle will continue to invest in the infrastructure required to accommodate the automotive industry’s needs and further improve New South Wales and Australia’s supply chain resilience.
