The Kota Lestari is the first ship to be serviced in Brisbane using DP World's new semi-automated container handling operation.

DP World's Brisbane terminal redevelopment has gone live with the servicing of a vessel in early February using its new semi-automated container handling operation.

After five years of planning, construction and testing, the go-live is a milestone event for the company whose $250 million investment positions the Port of Brisbane at the forefront of global practice.

Paul Scurrah, DP World Australia Managing Director and CEO, says the new development will provide excellent customer service as a result of higher waterside productivity, more consistent operational performance and additional pickup and delivery flexibility.

The Kota Lestari, owned by Pacific International Lines (PIL), was the first ship to be serviced as part of a transition to semi-automation in Brisbane by May 2014.

The existing terminal will remain operational until the full transition is completed.

Under the new system, containers are transferred by manned shuttle carriers from the quay crane to a waterside exchange area at the front of a module serviced by automated stacking cranes (ASCs). Brisbane will have seven operating modules, each serviced by two ASCs.

The overall annual capacity of the seven operating modules is around 900,000 TEUs, providing DP World Brisbane with significant future development capability.