Ultra bilyonaryo Ricky Razon-led Victoria International Container Terminal (VICT), the leading container terminal in the Port of Melbourne and Australia, is making significant progress in its expansion project to accommodate larger ships.
The AUD235 million project, scheduled for completion by 2024, will enhance VICT’s capabilities and solidify its position as the most advanced container terminal in the region.
Bruno Porchietto, the newly appointed CEO of VICT, said the expansion would enable the terminal to handle two 336-meter vessels simultaneously, a significant boost to its operational capacity. The project involves increasing the number of quay cranes from five to eight, including three new-generation cranes, and adding 10 new automatic stacking cranes (ASC) along with a 50 percent increase in yard capacity.
With the expanded facilities, VICT will be able to accommodate neo-Panamax vessels of up to 14,000 TEUs, offering shipping lines the opportunity to leverage economies of scale and reduce supply chain costs. This advantage distinguishes VICT from other terminals, such as the Swanson dock terminals at the Port of Melbourne.
The expansion is divided into two phases, with the first phase expected to be completed by late 2023. This phase will increase VICT’s capacity by 25 percent to 1.25 million TEUs and include the installation of two new quay cranes and six new ASCs. The third quay crane and four additional ASCs are part of the second phase, which will be completed based on market demand.
The vision for VICT’s expansion was established by its parent company, International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI), when it won the concession for the Melbourne-based terminal in 2014. The project aligns with the Port of Melbourne’s 2050 Port Development Strategy and plays a crucial role in facilitating future growth.
In addition to the VICT expansion, ICTSI has proposed an AUD500 million-plus expansion of Webb Dock, which aims to provide a cost-effective, efficient, and environmentally sustainable solution for additional capacity at the Port of Melbourne.