Patrick Terminals' Brisbane Autostrad operation was close to achieving its targeted 25 moves per hour benchmark, Brisbane terminals manager Matt Hollamby said.

The operation averaged 21 moves per hour last month.

“August 2007 was a record month,” Mr Hollamby said. “Some 32,000 lifts were recorded – that's a record for any stevedore at the port."

Reaching an average of 21 moves per hour was "a significant improvement” on operations six months ago. The benchmarked 25 moves per hour were expected to be achieved early in 2008.

“We can do it. We do do it,” Mr Hollamby said. "We're aiming for consistency of production. That is the object of the exercise.”

Five new straddle carriers were introduced into service in Brisbane over the last six weeks, taking the total fleet to 23 carriers.

Patrick Corporation is a long-time user of Kalmar straddle carriers, with 24 already in operation at Port Botany and 28 at East Swanson Dock. The company operates 23 Kalmar EDRIVE® straddle carriers at its Fisherman Islands automated straddle carrier (AutoStrad®) terminal in Brisbane – the first terminal of its kind in the world. All straddle carriers in this latest order will also be delivered ready for future automation.