Simulation and Analysis of Container Freight Train Operations at Port Botany

Over two million containers crossed the docks at Sydney’s Port Botany in 2011/12; a figure that is forecast to increase more than threefold by the end of the next decade. To cope with such large growth in volumes, the New South Wales (NSW) State Government plans to double rail mode share at the port by the year 2020. Conventional wisdom from industry and the media says that existing infrastructure cannot handle such volumes. In this paper, we use a combination of data analytics and simulation to examine operations at the port and evaluate the efficacy of current infrastructure to handle projected growth in volumes. Contrary to conventional wisdom, our findings indicate that current rail resources appear distinctly under-utilised. Moreover: (i) the peak rail capacity of Port Botany is 1.78 million TEU per annum, over six times higher than 2011/12 rail volumes; (ii) there are no infrastructural impediments to the achievement of peak rail capacity; (iii) operational changes, not infrastructural investment, are the key to unlocking the potential of the port; (iv) Port Botany is well positioned to handle projected increases in container volumes over the next decade and beyond, including the 28% rail mode share target established by the NSW Government.