Expansion planned at Sydney's Port Botany

Seatrade Asia reports that one of the largest port projects of its type to be undertaken in Australia in the last 30 years will see major infrastructure expansions at Sydney's Port Botany designed to meet forecast trade increases. The report said the port facility currently handles in excess of  1.5 million containers annually with international container volumes at Port Botany growing at close to 7 per cent per annum.
The port's volume, estimated to be worth $US50 million is expected to double in the next 20 years. Seatrade Asia's report said the expansion project comprises a new container terminal to extend the current six container terminal berth facility with two stevedores servicing trade, by providing 1,850m of extra berth length (five berths).
This will involve reclamation of over 150 acres of land, extensive dredging, dedicated road and rail access and community facilities.
The project is located on the north-eastern edge of Botany Bay. The container terminal extension will  be accompanied by reclamation works aimed to create a tug and support vessel berth facility. All tenders for the necessary stages have now closed and contracts awarded. It is envisated that the new terminal berths will be commissioned by mid-2011.