$3.3 Million Expansion for Chalmers Industries

26 November 2004

Transport, logistics and container park operator, Chalmers Industries, officially opened a new $3.3 million freight station facility at the Port of Brisbane today.

Speaking at the launch, Chalmers Chief Executive, Graeme Birch said the freight station was the latest in a series of key port-based developments undertaken by the company since it established its container park and packing facility at Fisherman Islands in 2000.

“The new development, which incorporates a 3,000m2 warehouse, container-washing area, and fully-licensed and accredited AQIS and customs facilities, enables us to keep pace with continued trade growth at the Port of Brisbane, and most importantly to capitalise on the opportunities this growth presents,” Mr Birch said.

The new facility follows closely the 2.5-hectare expansion of Chalmers’ container park earlier this year.

Port of Brisbane Corporation Acting Chairman, David Harrison said Brisbane’s record trade growth, which saw container trade increase by 12% and total trade reach 25.1 million tonnes in 2003/2004, was expected to continue.

“We are in the unique position of being able to expand and reconfigure our port to cater for this continued growth and there will be considerable changes at the port over the next year as we work with our customers to relocate key port operations from Hamilton to the Port of Brisbane,” he said.

Mr Harrison said the establishment of the new freight facility was the first of several new developments planned for the port in 2005.

“The Corporation has begun constructing a purpose-built 28-hectare long-term car storage precinct to cater for the growing motor vehicle import market and accommodate motor vehicle storage operations relocated to the port from Hamilton.

“The completion of Chalmers’ new freight facility continues the positive relationship between the Corporation and the company, and enables Chalmers to elevate its position in the competitive international logistics market,” Mr Harrison said.