DP World celebrated the launch of the most advanced semi-automated terminal in Australia with the grand opening of its facility at the Port of Brisbane recently.

Australia's Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Mr Jamie Briggs MP, was joined by DP World Chairman, Mr Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, DP World Australia Chairman, Mr Holly Koeppel, and DP World Australia Managing Director and CEO, Mr Paul Scurrah, in officially opening the terminal.

The upgraded DP World Brisbane facility includes 14 automated stacking cranes (ASC), which are operated remotely, taking workers off the quayside to the safety of the control room, and improving productivity. The new equipment is also more energy-efficient, using 30 per cent less energy than conventional terminal equipment.

DP World Chairman, Mr Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, said: "Automation is the way of the future. It offers skilled jobs and opens new doors for people who may not otherwise consider a career in terminal operating, including women. Importantly, automation improves productivity, offering more efficient and faster service to customers. We are proud to be at the forefront of this sea change in port operations and delighted that DP World Brisbane is leading the way in Australia, benefitting Australia's importers and exporters and contributing to the growth of the Australian economy."

DP World Australia Managing Director and CEO, Mr Paul Scurrah, said: "The breadth of change is testimony to the DP World Australia philosophy to provide customers with a superior service, the delivery of innovation, creating value and return to shareholders ahead of demand. Our vision is to establish ourselves as market leader in the Australia and New Zealand region. The completion of the Brisbane terminal redevelopment takes us one step closer to that vision.

"I take this opportunity to thank our partners for their expertise and tireless efforts in delivering on this project, our customers for their support and patience as we brought the terminal online, and the unstinting and continuing efforts of all employees at DP World Brisbane over the past five years. DP World Australia Chief Operating Officer, Mr Mark Hulme, said: "The Brisbane mode-change project brought together a major terminal operating system upgrade, a variety of sophisticated terminal handling equipment and an advanced computerised control system. "The new development will provide excellent customer service as a result of higher waterside productivity, added stacking capacity, more consistent operational performance and additional pick-up and delivery flexibility." Under the new system, containers are transferred by manned shuttle carriers from the quay crane to a waterside exchange area at the front of a module serviced by ASC. The overall annual capacity of the seven modules has risen from around 500,000 TEUs to around 900,000 TEUs, providing DP World Brisbane with significant future development capability. DP World Australia is a joint venture 25 per cent owned by DP World. DP World operates four marine terminals in Australia.