GLADSTONE Ports Corporation welcomed the ANL Kokoda – the ship’s first call to the port.
The vessel is on ANL’s Asia PNG Express service, which recently expanded to include a regular Gladstone call.
GPC CEO Craig Haymes said the announcement of the new call on the service was a step towards making Gladstone the port of choice for containerised cargo in Central Queensland.
“The importance of direct connections into key regional ports is critical as we look to the future,” he said.
“Growth in containerised cargo has enormous potential for job growth and flow-on economic advantages to the Gladstone community and wider CQ regions. We are fully committed to developing and improving the container trade.”
According to GPC, ANL’s service has increased from an initial monthly service to a fortnightly service.
GP executive general manager for trade and development Ashley Dinning said the service highlights the port’s potential to develop into a regional container hub.
“There are so many opportunities for GPC on the horizon and we are delighted to be partnering with ANL,” he said.
“This is a key first step in our expansion into new and emerging commodities.”
Mr Dinning said the port has an abundance of land and are looking to develop a warehousing precinct.
“The land we have is both on dock, or near dock, which is ideal for an efficient container terminal,” he said.