Asciano to shed 270 jobs after completion of Botany Bay CT expansion

PORT operator, Asciano, is to axe 270 port jobs in mid 2014 after completing the A$348 million (US$358.3 million) expansion of its container terminal at Port Botany in Sydney that will raise the facility's capacity from 1.15 million to 1.6 million TEU per annum, to meet current trade growth forecasts.

Asciano CEO John Mullen was cited as saying in a report by Melbourne Herald Sun that employees affected by the job cuts will be provided with employee assistance and support programmes including training, financial planning and career transition assistance.

"We will be going above and beyond to invest significantly in, and support, our employees throughout the transition period," he said.

The port operator, which owns the Patrick's stevedore business, said the upgrade of the Port Botany facility would include the introduction of state-of-the-art terminal handling technology, extra cranes, and upgraded employee facilities.

Mr Mullen said the expansion project would transform the facility into a world-class and internationally competitive operation with four berths and 1.4 kilometres of quay line. The project would also deliver productivity improvements, including significant cost savings, and secure Patrick's tenure at Port Botany until at least 2043.

"Further redevelopment of the terminal will be carried out under a staged approach as volumes grow over the next three decades," he said.

Mr Mullen said the introduction of automatic stacking cranes could increase capacity at the terminal beyond 2014 by an additional 75 per cent a year.

"This flexibility ensures the company can meet not only its long-term business objectives but also the growth expectations for trade in New South Wales and beyond in a cost-effective way," he said.