Australasian Transport News (ATN) Issue 375

In a world that barely has time to think past the next new mobile phone, ATN reckons it’s time to appreciate how far we’ve come and where we might be headed. The time frame is 25 years as that is when we judge the industry began to modernise to suit the world it functions in. Next edition we will attempt to plot a path through the next 25 years and, while much may turn out otherwise, it’s worth having a go because, as the previous 25 years show, the roots of how we got here gained a purchase in 1992. What the industry has managed is a mighty achievement, be it more freight carried, fewer fatalities, lower emissions or better vehicles. The nation should be proud. One aspect not examined,…

Parents and others will be sighing in relief that all the effort that went into the festive season was worth it – or perhaps not but are glad it’s over. The lead-up, however, featured an ageing and almost forgotten reprise of a dull but apposite Hollywood trope – The Grinch. The MUA and CMFEU were accused of being it for holding up containers at the hapless Victoria International Container Terminal (though the CMFEU is sure it’s Glencore) but they had a run for their money from wowsers who took exception to the Coke Christmas Truck. Admittedly it was a UK phenomenon. Plenty of dour types there fail to understand that Coca-Cola is as integral to Christmas as Santa himself. After all, he’s wearing its colours. Anyway, the locals loved the…

AUTOMOTIVE HOLDINGS GROUP (AHG) is in the process of selling its refrigerated logistics division to Chinese investment firm HNA Group (International) for $400 million in cash and debt. The sale involves ownership of Rand, Harris, Scott’s and JAT passing to HNA-owned firm CC Logistics (Australia), with AHG gaining $280 million and HNA ultimately assuming $120 million in finance lease liabilities. “HNAI has indicated a commitment to growing and continuing to invest in the refrigerated logistics sector, both internationally and in Australia,” AHG CEO and MD John McConnell says. “As an experienced participant in the logistics sector, HNA will continue to deliver quality services to customers and we strongly believe that the business will have a very positive future under its new owners.” AHG Logistics CEO Stephen Cleary will remain with…

California-based MNX Global Logistics has bought Melbourne-headquartered international logistics solutions provider Logical Freight Solutions (LFS) for an undisclosed sum. LFS serves the healthcare industry and has locations in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan and the US. According to MNX, LFS complements MNX’s growth in time- and temperature-sensitive shipments and enhances its Asia-Pacific presence. “The pace of growth in patient-centric medicine, with its strict requirements for temperature-controlled transportation and time-definite delivery, underscores the role that specialty time-critical logistics providers will continue to play in the life sciences and healthcare industries,” MNX CEO Paul J Martins says. “LFS shares our customer-centric culture and geographic footprint. “This combination allows our new and existing customers to experience an expanded suite of logistics services tailored specifically for the healthcare, life sciences, and medical…

K&S GROUP shareholders could have been despondent at its immediate financial prognosis but should then have been buoyed by longer-term expectations. Chairman Tony Johnson was clear on what the company is facing at present. “We currently expect underlying first half performance for FY18 to be approximately 15 per cent down on the prior corresponding period last year,” he says. Though Johnson went on to accentuate the positives, his annual general meeting message was also leavened by MD Paul Sarant’s list of reasons to be more cheerful, including in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector. “A record number of new customer contracts were signed by K&S during the year,” Sarant says. “They are highlighted by the new east to west transport arrangements with Kimberly-Clark, a renewal of the Laminex business and…

A STAGGERING 678 WA licence holders had their licences suspended in part or in full following an investigation into truck driver licensing by the Corruption and Crime Commission (CCC) and the Department of Transport (DOT). The CCC’s latest report, Report on Corruption in Respect of Truck Driving Licence Applications, uncovered corrupt behaviour at a former Neerabup truck driving school. The DOT was in the process of cancelling 326 in July over the issue. The activity in question took place at Mines West Driving School (Mines West), owned by then-approved assessor Previn Narayanan and contracted by DOT to conduct Practical Driving Assessments (PDAs) for heavy vehicles. The investigation revealed that Mines West identified a niche in the WA licencing market and targeted Indian immigrants. The CCC formed an opinion of serious…