Port Kembla is Australia's largest vehicle import port, has the largest grain storage terminal on the east coast and is an important coal exporting facility.285 NSW Ports projects the port has sufficient capacity for requirements over the next five years, but will require significant investment over the longer term to meet forecast growth in demand for container trade and bulk cargo exports.286 Development of Port Kembla's Outer Harbour has commenced, with reclamation works having largely been completed. The planned construction of two new container terminals would provide an additional 1.2 million TEU per year capacity on completion in 2037, while development of the coal terminal would expand capacity from a nominal 18 Mtpa to 22.5 Mtpa.287 However, while capacity at the port can be increased, this growth would be limited by constraints on the existing rail network servicing the port. NSW Ports has suggested that upgrades to the Unanderra-Moss Vale rail line or construction of the Maldon-Dombarton link would improve the efficiency of both freight and passenger rail connections in the Illawarra region.288
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285. New South Wales Ports (2014)
286. New South Wales Ports (2014)
287. New South Wales Government (2013)
288. New South Wales Ports (2014)