Global port operator DP World’s Australian branch has made public its plans to reconfigure truck in-gates to its West Swanson Terminal at the Port of Melbourne.
The current entry point to DP World Australia’s terminal is on Coode Road off Dock Link Road South, with the plans showing a switch to place the in-gates on Mackenzie Road to the west of the Swanson Precinct.
The reconfiguration of the truck gates will occur in three phrases starting from the end of this month, with the new gates expected to be opened in the first quarter of next year.
The first phase will see the current pre-gate moved to the main gate holding yard, with the OCR entry for carriers to remain. Jobs will be processed and grid allocations made at this temporary entry point, with a truck turn time calculation also added into the fold at this gate.
“This means we will be asking drivers to lineup at the shortest queue as they enter, keeping as far right as practicable to allow as many trucks as possible to enter the holding yard,” DP World says in a release.
“Any trucks that have jobs that are unable to be completed will not be able to exit the yard until a DPW escort arrives.”
Phase two will see the main gate holding yard closed, with temporary gates to be commissioned. Once completed, a switch over will occur to the temporary gates from early July, with jobs to be processed and grid allocations made at this temporary entry point.
At this time, construction will then begin on the main gate yard and adjoining areas.
The final phase will see the new Mackenzie Road truck entry opened in the first quarter of 2026.
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“We expect this change to improve traffic flow in the port precinct overall, give carriers easier access to and from the terminal with access to the new West Gate Tunnel ramps, dispense with the congestion that happens at Dock Link Road and Intermodal Way,” DP World says.
“Most of the industry will have experienced the disruption that came about as a result of the drive on grids construction in 2024. While we do not expect the same scale simply by virtue of the fact that construction will not be happening in and around trucks and straddles delivering and receiving containers, you will note that it is not an insignificant portion of the yard will be taken up when phase two temporary gate is operational, thus reducing yard capacity.
“The demand on slots at ‘preferred times’ will no doubt increase as the industry seeks to avoid ‘less preferred times’ of operation. Ensuring smooth and brisk movement through the terminal will be the priority to ensure cut offs are met and units do not dwell longer than is necessary.”
The Container Transport Alliance Australia (CTAA) says it welcomes the plans and understands the reconfiguration will allow DP World to stack more heavy vehicles inside the entry stages in the terminal.
“However, the “unknown” at this point will be how the on/off ramps to the West Gate Tunnel (WGT) will perform to/from Mackenzie Road once the WGT infrastructure opens at around the same time as the WST reconfiguration,” the CTAA says.
“CTAA is in close cooperation with Transurban, Major Road Projects Victoria (MRPV), Port of Melbourne and the Department of Transport & Planning (DTP), leading into the opening of the West Gate Tunnel. The performance of the access points into and out of the Swanson Precinct are high on the container transport logistics sector’s agenda to discuss and monitor.
“DPWA is not anticipating that the construction will be as disruptive as was the case last year during the reconfiguration of the truck grids inside the Terminal.
“However, it is acknowledged that a sizeable portion of the Terminal yard will be taken up when the temporary gate is operational during Phase 2 of the transition, reducing yard capacity. This will likely impact on Terminal productivity and landside efficiencies.
“DPWA is anticipating though that the demand for VBS slots will be put under pressure during the construction phases – something that wharf carriers will need to manage with DPWA as the need arises.”
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