The Sydney Autostrad Botany Rail Expansion (SABRE) was named the winner of the Innovation Excellence Category at the 2024 Infrastructure Partnerships Australia Awards in Melbourne last night.
A joint initiative between NSW Ports and Patrick Terminals, the project integrated a world-first fully automated on-dock rail terminal (AutoRail) with an automated straddle-operated (AutoStrad) container terminal at Port Botany, creating the world’s first fully automated container exchange on and off rail wagons.
“Not only has this project increased rail capacity at the terminal, it has also improved efficiency through reduced train turnaround times,” says NSW Ports CEO Marika Calfas.
“Credit must go to the project and operational teams from NSW Ports and Patrick Terminals, who have delivered a world class project, while ensuring rail operations were able to continue during construction and commissioning.
“We have a goal of moving 3m TEU by rail annually and the delivery of Project SABRE marks a significant step towards achieving this goal.”
Using innovative design and automated, integrated technology, the four-year $190m project incorporates four 600m long rail sidings and three Automated Rail Mounted Gantry (ARMG) cranes, which automatically load and unload containers.
The new rail operations enable Patrick Terminals to handle up to 500,000 TEUs (shipping containers) annually on rail.
Subject to demand, three additional ARMG cranes will be added to the new sidings to ultimately deliver more than 1 million TEU annual capacity, up from the 200,000 TEU capacity of the original rail terminal.
“Receiving this award is a testament to the dedication and commitment of our project team and valued partners who have delivered this world-class project,” says Patrick CEO Michael Jovicic.
“Project SABRE’s success not only expands our rail capacity and capability but also establishes Patrick Terminals – Sydney AutoStrad as the new global standard for automated container terminal operations.”
For more information on NSW Ports, click here.