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Car carriers a new sight at Port of Newcastle

5.0ALM

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FYI, news regarding the Port of Newcastle (NSW), published only yesterday:

@Stevefreestyle

S650 Mustang Car carriers a new sight at Port of Newcastle Capture.JPG


THE PORT of Newcastle has revealed it has further diversified its trade offering with passenger vehicle imports now a reality at the port.

The news follows a number of car carriers seen discharging passenger and heavy vehicles at the Port over the Christmas and New Year period.

The passenger vehicle imports follow Port of Newcastle’s approval as a first point of entry port from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) in October.

The Port said that in recent years, DAFF has tightened biosecurity requirements to protect Australia from foreign pests and contaminants, with limited ports approved to import passenger vehicles, and only one previously in NSW.

As a result, consumers have experienced delays in receiving their orders due to quarantine requirements and supply chain delays.

Port of Newcastle acting CEO, Nick Livesey, said the Port is responding to the needs of industry and consumers.

“The Productivity Commission and National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy both highlight the need for improved supply chain resilience across our ports and freight supply chain, and we are responding to those needs,” Mr Livesey said.

“In recent years, Port of Newcastle received calls from shipping lines globally requesting they unload vehicles in Newcastle due to extensive waits to access their proposed destination.

“We didn’t have the approval to take vehicles then, but we do now and are ready to cater for the needs of the broader automotive industry, should it be passenger vehicles, agriculture or mining.”

Meanwhile, industrial action affecting Qube Ports in a number of cities across the country, including Brisbane and Port Kembla, has coincided with Port of Newcastle’s entry into car carrier discharging, with some vessel’s in affected ports reportedly facing delays.

The inclusion of Port of Newcastle as a First Point of Entry Port is projected to assist to ease periods of congestion.

Kate McArthur, Executive Manager of Growth and Development said Port of Newcastle has capacity, availability, and potential for growth to accommodate industry needs.

“Vehicle imports is one of three strategic projects Port of Newcastle is focusing on, the others being a container terminal and clean energy precinct,” Ms McArthur said.


“With over 300 hectares of the Port’s lease land vacant, we are the only port on the East Coast of Australia that can accommodate the needs of the industry at the scale required.

“We have been importing high and heavy (rail wagons, locomotives and excavators, for example) for many years, which is complemented by our superior access to the national road and rail networks and will deliver the same benefits to the broader automotive industry.”

Shipments received over the Christmas and New Year period at Port of Newcastle have included over 2500 passenger vehicles, along with parts and equipment for agricultural and mining equipment.

Port of Newcastle said it is continuing to invest in the infrastructure required to accommodate the automotive industry’s needs and further improve NSW and Australia’s supply chain resilience.
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Stevefreestyle

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FYI, news regarding the Port of Newcastle (NSW), published only yesterday:

@Stevefreestyle

Capture.JPG


THE PORT of Newcastle has revealed it has further diversified its trade offering with passenger vehicle imports now a reality at the port.

The news follows a number of car carriers seen discharging passenger and heavy vehicles at the Port over the Christmas and New Year period.

The passenger vehicle imports follow Port of Newcastle’s approval as a first point of entry port from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) in October.

The Port said that in recent years, DAFF has tightened biosecurity requirements to protect Australia from foreign pests and contaminants, with limited ports approved to import passenger vehicles, and only one previously in NSW.

As a result, consumers have experienced delays in receiving their orders due to quarantine requirements and supply chain delays.

Port of Newcastle acting CEO, Nick Livesey, said the Port is responding to the needs of industry and consumers.

“The Productivity Commission and National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy both highlight the need for improved supply chain resilience across our ports and freight supply chain, and we are responding to those needs,” Mr Livesey said.

“In recent years, Port of Newcastle received calls from shipping lines globally requesting they unload vehicles in Newcastle due to extensive waits to access their proposed destination.

“We didn’t have the approval to take vehicles then, but we do now and are ready to cater for the needs of the broader automotive industry, should it be passenger vehicles, agriculture or mining.”

Meanwhile, industrial action affecting Qube Ports in a number of cities across the country, including Brisbane and Port Kembla, has coincided with Port of Newcastle’s entry into car carrier discharging, with some vessel’s in affected ports reportedly facing delays.

The inclusion of Port of Newcastle as a First Point of Entry Port is projected to assist to ease periods of congestion.

Kate McArthur, Executive Manager of Growth and Development said Port of Newcastle has capacity, availability, and potential for growth to accommodate industry needs.

“Vehicle imports is one of three strategic projects Port of Newcastle is focusing on, the others being a container terminal and clean energy precinct,” Ms McArthur said.


“With over 300 hectares of the Port’s lease land vacant, we are the only port on the East Coast of Australia that can accommodate the needs of the industry at the scale required.

“We have been importing high and heavy (rail wagons, locomotives and excavators, for example) for many years, which is complemented by our superior access to the national road and rail networks and will deliver the same benefits to the broader automotive industry.”

Shipments received over the Christmas and New Year period at Port of Newcastle have included over 2500 passenger vehicles, along with parts and equipment for agricultural and mining equipment.

Port of Newcastle said it is continuing to invest in the infrastructure required to accommodate the automotive industry’s needs and further improve NSW and Australia’s supply chain resilience.

Unfortunately, Ford Aust seem to be oblivious of the opportunity to use this facility.

Tortugas has been rescheduled for docking at Pt Newcastle to Friday 10Jan at 6.00 pm, however I strongly suspect whoever is handling this at FoA is oblivious of the opportunity to offload the cars at Newcastle, and is working off the obsolete Schedule of Brisbane direct to Melb, arriving Melb on 12Jan - which is not going to happen on that day.
S650 Mustang Car carriers a new sight at Port of Newcastle 1736379879472-sr-


As a result the Mustangs will pointlessely stay on board both Tortugas and Tosca, shipped passed Sydney to Melbourne, then at additional cost trucked by road back to Sydney. Sheer genius!
 
OP
OP
5.0ALM

5.0ALM

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Unfortunately, Ford Aust seem to be oblivious of the opportunity to use this facility.

Tortugas has been rescheduled for docking at Pt Newcastle to Friday 10Jan at 6.00 pm, however I strongly suspect whoever is handling this at FoA is oblivious of the opportunity to offload the cars at Newcastle, and is working off the obsolete Schedule of Brisbane direct to Melb, arriving Melb on 12Jan - which is not going to happen on that day.
1736379879472-sr-jpg.jpg


As a result the Mustangs will pointlessely stay on board both Tortugas and Tosca, shipped passed Sydney to Melbourne, then at additional cost trucked by road back to Sydney. Sheer genius!
Frustrating.
Sympathies.
That was like watching my vessel meander around Mexico for five days after exiting the Canal on the Pacific side. Why?
Then waiting three days to get a berth in Brisbane.

I wonder if there is a quarantine issue?
Remember early 2023, where all Mustangs were diverted to Melbourne.
I find it hard to believe, but perhaps Melbourne is the only port that has resources to deal with these issues.
Or, as you suggest, it's a complete cock up. :facepalm:
 

Stevefreestyle

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Breakthrough !! UPDATE: Mustangs WILL now be offloaded from Tosca and Tortugas at Port Newcastle - today and this weekend !!

Email from my Dealer ".......the 2 boats for Mustangs are diverted to Newcastle. The latest information I received late yesterday was that the Tortugas vehicles are being unloaded today and once received they will be road transported to dealers."

Tosca docked yesterday at Newcastle, and Tortugas Newcastle Docking has been postponed until Sat 11 Jan at 5:15 pm, Departing Monday 4pm.
 

alwrighty

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Breakthrough !! UPDATE: Mustangs WILL now be offloaded from Tosca and Tortugas at Port Newcastle - today and this weekend !!

Email from my Dealer ".......the 2 boats for Mustangs are diverted to Newcastle. The latest information I received late yesterday was that the Tortugas vehicles are being unloaded today and once received they will be road transported to dealers."

Tosca docked yesterday at Newcastle, and Tortugas Newcastle Docking has been postponed until Sat 11 Jan at 5:15 pm, Departing Monday 4pm.
Hi Steve, have you received yours yet? Mine was on Tortugas and unloaded in Melbourne but have received the below email from dealer. It’s been sitting in quarantine for almost 2 weeks now. Anyone know the current wait time for quarantine cleaning at port of Melbourne?

From Dealer:
We’ve been informed that the vehicles on your boat, (including yours) have been quarantined and require cleaning.

As usual we don’t have a time frame how long this will take.

In the past we’ve seen it take anywhere from a couple days to a couple months.

Fingers crossed it doesn’t take too long.
 


Stevefreestyle

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Hi Steve, have you received yours yet? Mine was on Tortugas and unloaded in Melbourne but have received the below email from dealer. It’s been sitting in quarantine for almost 2 weeks now. Anyone know the current wait time for quarantine cleaning at port of Melbourne?

From Dealer:
We’ve been informed that the vehicles on your boat, (including yours) have been quarantined and require cleaning.

As usual we don’t have a time frame how long this will take.

In the past we’ve seen it take anywhere from a couple days to a couple months.

Fingers crossed it doesn’t take too long.
Hi Alwrighty, yes it turned out the earlier Dealer info from Ford was in error, and was later changed to yet another diversion, this time to Melbourne (for the second time).

Did Tortugas arrive in Melb circa 18-20 th Jan ?

I haven't heard from my Dealer since last Friday, so presumably they are still frozen in Melb' Quarantine - at least on land in Aust' - so near and yet....

As I assume they could be trucked back to NSW I have been regularly checking here: Vehicle Transport Tracking | Vehicle Transport Interstate » Ceva Car Carrying, although at this stage I have no info on method of transport for the 380 (?) plus Parsifal (?) cars. Perhaps FoA will ship them back to Pt Kembla?

The lack of ETA confirmation doesn't make it easy, I will have to postpone my Insurance start date again - hopefully avoiding the mooted impending 20-30% Premium Increase. ....oh well, First World Problems.....

From my Sydney Dealer Fri 24/01/25:
"We got an update from Ford, the vehicles had to be moved to Melbourne for undocking and then to be transhipped back to Port Kembla. Currently they are all quarantined in Melbourne as off the Tuesday the 21st. until they are all cleared, I don’t think they will be able to leave Melbourne and come to Sydney.

We’re waiting for additional information for Ford at this stage. they were initially anticipating around the first week of February before it gets to dealers."
 
Last edited:

Stevefreestyle

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Hi Alwrighty, yes it turned out the earlier Dealer info from Ford was in error, and was later changed to yet another diversion, this time to Melbourne (for the second time).

Did Tortugas arrive in Melb circa 18-20 th Jan ?

I haven't heard from my Dealer since last Friday, so presumably they are still frozen in Melb' Quarantine - at least on land in Aust' - so near and yet....

As I assume they could be trucked back to NSW I have been regularly checking here: Vehicle Transport Tracking | Vehicle Transport Interstate » Ceva Car Carrying, although at this stage I have no info on method of transport for the 380 (?) plus Parsifal (?) cars. Perhaps FoA will ship them back to Pt Kembla?

The lack of ETA confirmation doesn't make it easy, I will have to postpone my Insurance start date again - hopefully avoiding the mooted impending 20-30% Premium Increase. ....oh well, First World Problems.....

From my Sydney Dealer Fri 24/01/25:
"We got an update from Ford, the vehicles had to be moved to Melbourne for undocking and then to be transhipped back to Port Kembla. Currently they are all quarantined in Melbourne as off the Tuesday the 21st. until they are all cleared, I don’t think they will be able to leave Melbourne and come to Sydney.

We’re waiting for additional information for Ford at this stage. they were initially anticipating around the first week of February before it gets to dealers."
Correction - Although Tortugas unloaded at Pt Melbourne instead of Pt Kembla, Parcifal has reportedly docked at Pt Kembla.
 

alwrighty

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Hi Alwrighty, yes it turned out the earlier Dealer info from Ford was in error, and was later changed to yet another diversion, this time to Melbourne (for the second time).

Did Tortugas arrive in Melb circa 18-20 th Jan ?

I haven't heard from my Dealer since last Friday, so presumably they are still frozen in Melb' Quarantine - at least on land in Aust' - so near and yet....

As I assume they could be trucked back to NSW I have been regularly checking here: Vehicle Transport Tracking | Vehicle Transport Interstate » Ceva Car Carrying, although at this stage I have no info on method of transport for the 380 (?) plus Parsifal (?) cars. Perhaps FoA will ship them back to Pt Kembla?

The lack of ETA confirmation doesn't make it easy, I will have to postpone my Insurance start date again - hopefully avoiding the mooted impending 20-30% Premium Increase. ....oh well, First World Problems.....

From my Sydney Dealer Fri 24/01/25:
"We got an update from Ford, the vehicles had to be moved to Melbourne for undocking and then to be transhipped back to Port Kembla. Currently they are all quarantined in Melbourne as off the Tuesday the 21st. until they are all cleared, I don’t think they will be able to leave Melbourne and come to Sydney.

We’re waiting for additional information for Ford at this stage. they were initially anticipating around the first week of February before it gets to dealers."
Hi Stevefreestyle,-
Yes, Tortugas (and Tosca) unloaded at Port of Melbourne on 18-20 Jan so they've been sitting there for 2 weeks now.

I was told by the dealer that all the cars that offloaded both ships in Brisbane earlier were quarantined too and needed to be cleaned, due to soil and seed contamination. He believe this would have been because they were sitting on the docks of Baltimore for almost 2 months before getting on a ship.

Mine is being delivered to Jefferson Ford in Melbourne but I haven't had an update from them since last Friday. They're not given much info from biosecurity so can't give an ETA. It depends on how many vehicles are in line to be cleaned currently - if anyone has a contact at Port of Melbourne and can find out that info, it would be much appreciated.
 

Deano1978

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I can confirm Parsifal docked at Pt Kembla on 30th Jan and presumably my car was unloaded there and going through quarantine,

By the time it got to Melb the proposed strike action by Qube had been called off so I'm guessing Ford thought it was ok head to Pt Kembla instead of unloading in Melb or docking at Newcastle.
 

alwrighty

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Hi Alwrighty, yes it turned out the earlier Dealer info from Ford was in error, and was later changed to yet another diversion, this time to Melbourne (for the second time).

Did Tortugas arrive in Melb circa 18-20 th Jan ?

I haven't heard from my Dealer since last Friday, so presumably they are still frozen in Melb' Quarantine - at least on land in Aust' - so near and yet....

As I assume they could be trucked back to NSW I have been regularly checking here: Vehicle Transport Tracking | Vehicle Transport Interstate » Ceva Car Carrying, although at this stage I have no info on method of transport for the 380 (?) plus Parsifal (?) cars. Perhaps FoA will ship them back to Pt Kembla?

The lack of ETA confirmation doesn't make it easy, I will have to postpone my Insurance start date again - hopefully avoiding the mooted impending 20-30% Premium Increase. ....oh well, First World Problems.....

From my Sydney Dealer Fri 24/01/25:
"We got an update from Ford, the vehicles had to be moved to Melbourne for undocking and then to be transhipped back to Port Kembla. Currently they are all quarantined in Melbourne as off the Tuesday the 21st. until they are all cleared, I don’t think they will be able to leave Melbourne and come to Sydney.

We’re waiting for additional information for Ford at this stage. they were initially anticipating around the first week of February before it gets to dealers."
Hi Alwrighty, yes it turned out the earlier Dealer info from Ford was in error, and was later changed to yet another diversion, this time to Melbourne (for the second time).

Did Tortugas arrive in Melb circa 18-20 th Jan ?

I haven't heard from my Dealer since last Friday, so presumably they are still frozen in Melb' Quarantine - at least on land in Aust' - so near and yet....

As I assume they could be trucked back to NSW I have been regularly checking here: Vehicle Transport Tracking | Vehicle Transport Interstate » Ceva Car Carrying, although at this stage I have no info on method of transport for the 380 (?) plus Parsifal (?) cars. Perhaps FoA will ship them back to Pt Kembla?

The lack of ETA confirmation doesn't make it easy, I will have to postpone my Insurance start date again - hopefully avoiding the mooted impending 20-30% Premium Increase. ....oh well, First World Problems.....

From my Sydney Dealer Fri 24/01/25:
"We got an update from Ford, the vehicles had to be moved to Melbourne for undocking and then to be transhipped back to Port Kembla. Currently they are all quarantined in Melbourne as off the Tuesday the 21st. until they are all cleared, I don’t think they will be able to leave Melbourne and come to Sydney.

We’re waiting for additional information for Ford at this stage. they were initially anticipating around the first week of February before it gets to dealers."
Steve, just popped down to the Port of Melb docks (across the river) and saw our cars all lined up! At least they're definitely on Aus soil!

S650 Mustang Car carriers a new sight at Port of Newcastle Mustangs at Port of Melb 2.2.25
 

alwrighty

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Steve, just popped down to the Port of Melb docks (across the river) and saw our cars all lined up! At least they're definitely on Aus soil!

Mustangs at Port of Melb 2.2.25.jpg
mine could be front right (dark matter grey with black pack)
Sponsored

 
 








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