OOCL, VICT set new benchmark for highest container exchange in Australia

The OOCL Rotterdam (capable of accommodating 8,063 TEUs, 323m LOA and 42.8m BEAM) on the North East Asia A3 Central Service has set a new record within the Port of Melbourne and Australia for the highest container exchange in one single call – a total of 6,516 containers equating to 11,037 TEUs.

The vessel called at Australia’s first fully automated container terminal, Victoria International Container Terminal (VICT), last November 20 and completed the record exchange in 90 hours with 72.4 berth moves per hour.

Tim Vancampen, VICT Chief Executive Officer, said:  “VICT is honoured to achieve another record at the Port of Melbourne in what has been a challenging year especially for Victoria dealing with the pandemic.  The exchange highlights the need for larger vessels and increasing handling capacity.  At the same time, it poses new challenges for landside logistics that need to deal with these increasing peak volumes.  In order to address those concerns, VICT offers a full 7 days 24-hour coverage for receipt and delivery. We would like to congratulate OOCL on the milestone container exchange and thank them for having selected VICT as their terminal operator of choice.”

Eddy Declercq, Managing Director of OOCL Australia, said: “We appreciate the high level of operational efficiency by VICT and cooperation by all stakeholders involved on all fronts at a time where every move counts towards our collective effort to address the container supply imbalance in the market and working together to keep trade moving.”