Sydney’s twin ports of Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay have featured prominently in Australia’s history since European settlers arrived by sea and established the colony of New South Wales in the late 18th century.
State Government management of Sydney’s ports dates from establishment of the Sydney Harbour Trust (SHT) in 1901. In 1936, the SHT was amalgamated with the Department of Navigation to become the Maritime Services Board of NSW (MSB). The MSB was dissolved in 1995 and, in its place, several new independent entities including Sydney Ports Corporation (SPC) were established.
SPC is a State Owned Corporation responsible for planning, developing and controlling the Sydney ports. The Corporation’s business is underpinned by the property assets for which it holds title and by a Port Safety Operating License under which it manages vessel traffic and provides other services to shipping. Cargo facilities in Sydney’s ports are typically operated by private sector organizations most of whom lease the sites they occupy from SPC.
Sydney Harbour accomodates facilities to handle break-bulk, containers, dry-bulk, motor vehicles and crude oil. Port Botany accommodates the main container terminals, bulk liquids berth and crude oil berths. The two passenger terminals are located at Sydney Harbour.
In order to handle the anticipated container volume of 3.2 million TEUs by 2025, SPC has received approval to construct 5 additional container berths with 63 ha of land. Tender for the construction of the wharf and reclamation is under evaluation. It is expected that a contract for construction will be awarded in late 2007 with completion scheduled for 2011.
http://www.sydneyports.com.au/