Fremantle Port's third stevedore co welcomed

24/4/96

Transport Minister Eric Charlton today welcomed Fremantle Port's third stevedore company, which has started operations.

"Western Stevedores is offering a niche service to shippers which has brought further competition to the port," Mr Charlton said.

He said Western Stevedores launched its service at the port by stevedoring the live sheep carrier Marineos, which was in port last week. This was followed by the Fares live sheep vessel Danny F11, which took on a record-breaking 9,480 cattle as well as 40,300 sheep.

Western Stevedores would continue to work on livestock vessels as well as moving into break-bulk cargo in the future.

"Fremantle Port's two established private sector stevedores - Patrick the Australian Stevedore and P&O Ports - are currently investing up to $60 million at North Quay to accommodate container trade growth into the next century," Mr Charlton said.

"Total trade growth through Fremantle is strong, increasing by 24 per cent since 1990-91 to 20.3 million mass tonnes in 1994-95.

"Container trade has grown nearly 60 per cent over the last four years, with nearly 200,000 containers handled at Fremantle last year."

Media contact: Sally Squires 321 7333