Sino Partners advises Chinese port equipment, handling and logistics technology providers entering Australia and New Zealand, and supports terminal operators, ports and logistics companies evaluating and sourcing equipment and systems from China.
Australia's ports are working harder than ever. Port of Melbourne handled a record 3.5 million TEU in calendar year 2025, its second consecutive record year, and the pressure on terminal capacity, productivity and landside connections continues to build across the country.
Port and terminal operations depend on specialised equipment and systems: ship-to-shore and mobile harbour cranes, straddle carriers, reach stackers, yard tractors, bulk handling plant and terminal operating technology. Chinese manufacturers are among the world's leading producers of port handling equipment. Sino Partners helps them navigate Oceania procurement, and helps Oceania operators evaluate and source with confidence.
Commercial, technical and regulatory advisory for port equipment suppliers, terminal operators and logistics companies.
Market assessment, target operator mapping, pricing and positioning for Chinese cranes, container handling equipment and terminal technology entering Australia and New Zealand.
Requirement definition, supplier shortlisting, factory audits and technical comparison for reach stackers, straddle carriers, yard tractors, forklifts and mobile harbour cranes.
Support preparing expressions of interest and tender responses, evaluation criteria development, bid clarification and contract negotiation in English and Mandarin.
Evaluation of terminal operating systems, remote and automated equipment, electrification and energy management options for container and bulk terminals.
Advisory on road and rail connections, empty container handling, heavy haulage and inland terminal solutions linked to port operations.
Specification and sourcing support for conveyors, stackers, reclaimers, ship loaders and storage systems for bulk and break-bulk facilities.
Guidance on security of critical infrastructure obligations and foreign investment considerations for Chinese capital and technology involved with port assets.
A concise view of what our team delivers for equipment suppliers and port and logistics operators.
Entering Australia and New Zealand
Evaluating and sourcing from China
Ports are subject to the Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018, which applies obligations to specific critical infrastructure assets in the ports sector, among others. Technology, equipment and ownership proposals involving port assets are assessed in this context, and foreign investment screening may also apply.
Equipment supplied to terminals must meet workplace health and safety duties for plant, electrical and operating requirements, and many operators run structured procurement processes with detailed technical, security and lifecycle support criteria. We prepare Chinese suppliers for those expectations before they bid.
Sources: Port of Melbourne: CY25 trade in review; Department of Home Affairs: coverage of the Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018; Safe Work Australia: plant supply, design and registration.
No supplier commissions and no kickbacks. Our advice on port equipment is aligned to your commercial outcome, and our fees are disclosed up front.
Practical understanding of how Oceania operators evaluate technical, commercial and lifecycle support criteria.
Connections across cranes, container handling, bulk handling and terminal technology manufacturers.
Mandarin and English capability for technical clarification, negotiation, contracts and factory acceptance.
Australia-based account management with on-the-ground execution in China, covering Australia, New Zealand and the wider Oceania region.
From strategy and supplier evaluation through factory acceptance, shipping, commissioning and lifecycle support.
Contact our ports and logistics advisory team to discuss your market entry plan, equipment evaluation or tender support requirement.
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