Toll has launched Australia's first unmanned freight line.
2025-07-04
Sydney Port's A$400m Rail Upgrade Set to Double Cargo Capacity
Sydney, 12 June 2025 — Sydney Port Authority has launched a A$400 million modernization project for its rail hub, in partnership with global port operator DP World. The upgrade, scheduled for completion in 2027, will double the port's annual rail capacity to 1 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), significantly boosting Australia's trade efficiency with the Asia-Pacific region.
Key Project Details
Infrastructure Expansion
3km of new dedicated port rail lines
2 automated container transfer stations
Smart gate system (reducing truck wait times by 40%)
Green Technology Integration
20 all-electric straddle carriers on order
Solar power to meet 50% of hub's energy needs
Operational Improvements
Direct connection to DP World's new automated Botany Terminal yard
"Seamless" rail-to-port transfers (15-minute container handover)
Economic Impact
Supports 6% annual growth in Asia-Pacific container trade (particularly electronics and auto parts from China/ASEAN)
Raises rail transport share to 30% (from 18%), cutting 80,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually
Creates 500 construction jobs and 200 permanent technical positions
"This rail transformation is vital for Sydney's future as a multimodal hub," said the NSW Transport Minister. "More freight will bypass congested roads, reducing business costs."
DP World Australia's CEO noted the upgrade will increase their Sydney terminal's overall capacity by 60%, calling it "essential for handling e-commerce's explosive growth."
Context
Sydney Port handles 40% of Australia's container trade but trails Melbourne (35% rail share). The project aligns with the National Ports Strategy 2030, with A$120 million in federal funding.