Logistics, Ports & Terminals

Aurizon runs first shuttle to new Sydney intermodal site

Aurizon has commenced its Sydney Port Shuttle service between Port Botany and its new Enfield Intermodal facility in Sydney’s west.

Six services are scheduled per week, and Aurizon said on August 30 it plans to increase the number of services over the medium term to accommodate growing customer demand.

The news comes roughly a fortnight after the Queensland-based operator announced a five-year, 100,000 container deal with K&S Freighters for business through the Enfield site.

Enfield, which opened in May, allowed Aurizon to graduate from its old intermodal facility at Yennora.

The new facility is closer than Yennora to both the port and the city’s centre, and allows for longer trains, improved scheduling and cycle times, and less train shunting, Aurizon has said.

Aurizon holds a 10-year lease of Enfield, which is owned by NSW Ports, the private consortium which acquired Port Botany and Port Kembla when the state privatised the ports in 2013.

Aurizon’s vice president of Customer & Strategy Mauro Neves said the first port shuttle service this week was a breakthrough for the company’s customers in the “congested” Sydney region.

“We are delighted to have operated the first shuttle today and look forward to welcoming more customers on board through delivering safe, efficient and reliable rail services through Sydney,” Neves said.

“The Enfield Intermodal Terminal is ideally positioned in Sydney’s inner west with a direct and dedicated rail freight corridor to Port Botany.

“Delivering on the port shuttle and building volume and scale with high-quality customers is integral to Aurizon Intermodal’s success in a very competitive market.”

NSW Ports boss Marika Calfas said Aurizon’s first shuttle service was an important milestone in the development of the Enfield terminal.

“Intermodal facilities such as Enfield will become a vital part of the future port supply chain for New South Wales,” Calfas said, “becoming inland extensions to Port Botany, allowing the needs of the people and businesses of New South Wales to be met in the future.”

Addressing the shipping industry at a luncheon last week, Calfas said NSW Ports aims to move 3 million TEU in containers per annum by 2045, and said intermodal terminals would be crucial to achieving this goal.

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