First steps in regional container hub become reality

GLADSTONE Ports Corporation (GPC) and ANL have signaled the start of their new partnership, welcoming the ANL Kokoda as she made her inaugural call to port last week.

As the lead carrier for the CMA CGM Group in Oceana, ANL’s start of the APR service into Gladstone is an exciting milestone for the port, community and wider region.

GPC CEO Craig Haymes said the partnership announcement was a significant step towards making Gladstone the port of choice for containerised cargo in Central Queensland, and furthermore, would allow regional industries to save on transport and associated logistics costs.

“The importance of direct connections into key regional ports is critical as we look to the future,” Mr Haymes 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 and providing excellent service to our customers, to support future growth in CQ.”

Already since ANL’s APR service started, it has increased from an initial monthly service to a fortnightly service, providing great advantages for cargo owners in the region.

GPC Executive General Manager for Trade and Development, Ashley Dinning said the announcement last week with ANL further highlights the port’s potential to develop into a regional container hub – right here in Central Queensland.

“There are so many opportunities for GPC on the horizon, and we are delighted to be partnering with ANL,” Mr Dinning said.

“This is a key first step in our expansion into new and emerging commodities.

“We are launching a highly efficient operation right here in CQ, with all the associated advantages for the region,” he added.

“We have an abundance of land and are currently talking to a number of proponents about developing a warehousing precinct, known as DistriPark, which would cater to cold storage and warehousing facilities.

“The land we have is both on dock, or near dock, which is ideal for an efficient container terminal,” he said.

“Customers who are seeking to grow their already significant container freight task will provide the building blocks for operations in the future and we look forward to working with all of them.”

GPC looked forward to working with ANL going forward to further develop this service into the future.