NSW Premier Mike Baird today officially opened Sydney’s third container terminal at Port Botany – an investment that will boost NSW’s competitiveness in global trade and drive economic growth.

Sydney International Container Terminals (SICTL) has invested more than $300 million in the facility, with 400 people employed during construction and around 160 people now employed on site and at the office headquarters.

Mr Baird said the construction of the terminal, which is part of the $1 billion Port Botany Expansion project, will enhance Port Botany as a container gateway to NSW and Australia.

“As a global city we need to ensure Sydney remains internationally competitive,” said Mr Baird.

“The expansion of Port Botany is vital to the NSW economy and supporting the needs of business and consumers in NSW.

“We need world class facilities and international operators like SICTL to be competitive in global trade and to meet the growing demand for container traffic in the years ahead.

“This impressive new facility doubles the capacity at the terminal and brings a third operator into the market.

“Increasing competition on our waterfront will cement our standing on the global trade stage, while at the same time helping to reduce the costs of everyday goods and services for the people of NSW.”

Mr Baird said SICTL’s investment and innovation demonstrates the benefits of the private sector and government working together.

“Our Freight and Ports Strategy acknowledges that an efficient and effective freight network is key to meeting future trade growth and building a stronger economy,” said Mr Baird.

“That is why the NSW Government’s investment in Sydney’s port infrastructure and freight transport networks is so important.

“The opening of this facility is a major step forward in our strategy to provide a more efficient logistics chain, and we will continue to look for opportunities to increase productivity and provide a more efficient network for doing business in NSW,” Mr Baird said.