Supporting NSW’s growing trade volumes
Rail is a fundamental part of our strategy to sustainably support trade growth. Through strategic planning and investment, we are committed to growing rail capacity to ensure efficient freight rail connections. This will, in turn, keep supply chain costs low and reduce the cost of goods to families and businesses, while keeping our exports competitive.
Our long-term goal for Port Botany is to move 3 million TEUs per year by rail, which is about 40% of future forecast container volumes. Every one million TEU transported by rail removes 900 truck movements per day from roads around the port.
While Port Botany and Port Kembla are already well connected to a network of metropolitan and regional intermodal terminals we have a significant program of works underway to help us achieve our goal. This is supported by rail infrastructure investment by Government.
On-dock rail
Our on-dock rail investment program at Port Botany is a central part of our strategy to increase the number of containers being moved by rail. Port Botany is the only port in Australia with on-dock rail at all three of its container terminals.
Together with our stevedores, we are committed to increasing this capacity to 3 million TEU through a staged investment program at the port.
The program’s key benefits are:
- Increased capacity to handle more containers on rail via Port Botany’s on-dock rail network, which is connected to Sydney’s extensive network of intermodal terminals, including by dedicated freight rail.
- 600m sidings and loco-shifters reduce the splitting and shunting of trains, while rail mounted gantry cranes enable more trains to be stripped and turned around faster.
- Faster handling and train turnaround times means faster delivery times of imported goods to the state’s households and businesses and improved performance for exporters.
- Moving more containers on rail will reduce the growth of trucks on roads, reduce congestion and supply chain emissions. Every 1 million TEU moved on rail removes 900 truck movements from around the port each day.
Stage One: $190 million investment at Patrick Terminals – Sydney AutoStrad
The first stage involved a $190 million investment at Patrick Terminals – Sydney AutoStrad, with $120 million from NSW Ports to deliver on-dock rail infrastructure and $70 million from Patrick Terminals to deliver automated rail operating equipment.
The project was completed in early 2024 and will double the existing rail capacity at Patrick Terminals – Sydney AutoStrad to 1 million TEUs and increased Port Botany’s overall rail capacity.
Stage Two: DP World Rail Terminal
The second stage will see NSW Ports invest $148m for the delivery of four of the new 600m rail sidings, up from the current three smaller sidings.
DP World will invest $250m in an additional rail siding, operational equipment and significant upgrades to its adjacent logistics park as part of a broader project.
This investment will increase annual rail handling capacity at the DP World container terminal to an ultimate throughput of 1 million TEU.
Intermodal connectivity
Intermodal terminals are a critical part of the freight logistics supply chain. With 90% of containers moving through Port Botany destined no further than 50 kilometres from the port, intermodal terminals provide the greatest opportunity to help facilitate an increase in rail growth.
Enfield Intermodal Logistics Centre
Our Enfield Intermodal Logistics Centre is one of a number of strategically-located intermodal terminals in NSW’s freight network. The Enfield Intermodal Terminal and associated logistics warehouses are connected by dedicated freight rail to Port Botany. Together with Cooks River, Moorebank and other intermodal terminals, Enfield Intermodal Logistics Centre will service Greater Sydney's need for import goods and help connect Port Botany to regional areas.
Other initiatives
Maldon to Dombarton / SWIRL
The Maldon Dombarton Rail Link (also known as South-West Illawarra Rail Link or SWIRL) is an important piece of infrastructure, which will deliver higher volumes of freight by rail to and from Port Kembla.
Combined with an Outer Sydney Orbital, the Maldon-Dombarton Rail Link will provide direct freight and passenger rail access from Port Kembla into the heart of the Western Parkland City and the new Aerotropolis precinct, adding to the strength of Port Kembla as the best location for a second NSW container port to serve the growing needs of the State.
