Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 394 i Australasian Transport News (ATN)

Just as the opportunity opens to reflect on the trucking industry’s weird magic of being able to inject new momentum into the most challenging of markets, aspects of regulatory inertia come to the fore elsewhere. Actually, hold that second thought, let’s emphasise the positives now coming from the industry front. This year has seen some nifty mergers and acquisitions, where firms looking to grow and thrive and managers of the same mind have entered transactions to create a new reality. Sometimes these moves are made for all the wrong reasons by people with more money and less sense or ability than the situation warrants. The way of free enterprise in such situations is that all-but-immutable laws come into effect and the poor, benighted firm goes to the wall, sadly taking…

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has released its first bulletin aimed at reducing the risk of heavy vehicle fires, specifying the causes and preventative measures operators can take. The bulletin is part of the NHVR’s ongoing investigation into heavy vehicle fires after a spate of incidents in the past year, NHVR safety standards director Tony Martin says. “The intent of this safety bulletin is to raise awareness of the common fire risks that have been identified and to outline the actions required to help mitigate the risks,” Martin says. “We recently sat down with a cross-section of industry to tackle the issue of truck fires and it is clear that prevention is better than cure. “We’ve outlined some measures available to different parts of the heavy vehicle industry that…

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has released its report on a V/Line train’s 2016 collision with a semitrailer in Victoria. These findings come as the Australian Trucking Association (ATA) continues to campaign to have ATSB-style investigation of major truck accidents. “The thoroughness of the report and its insightful recommendations shows that the ATSB should be responsible for investigating serious truck crashes where lessons can be learned,” ATA communications manager Emily Mills tells ATN. The report arrives one month shy of three years after a Warrnambool-bound passenger train collided with a semi-trailer at the Phalps Road level crossing at Larpent, near Colac. “The investigation, conducted by Victoria’s Chief Investigator, Transport Safety, on behalf of the ATSB, found the driver was unable to detect the approaching train on his left due…

Victorian transport authorities VicRoads and Public Transport Victoria are in the process of joining with the Department of Transport “to create a properly integrated transport department”. The merger started on July 1.. “The new, integrated Department of Transport will plan and operate transport in a way that matches the people and products that travel on it – focusing on the destination, rather than which mode we use,” it says. It says the amalgamation enables it to: • respond much faster – and give people the information they need – to make the best travel choices, especially around major network disruptions • make better use of existing road and rail, shifting more journeys onto rail and prioritising public transport on roads • respond much quicker to innovation and new transport technologies…

There’s nothing milk-and-water about a task being undertaken by SRH Milk Haulage for the Armidale Regional Council in New South Wales to cart water to the drought-stricken Guyra area. The Malpas Dam to Guyra pipeline is being fast tracked for completion in mid-August and will enable to supply Guyra during extended dry periods, where water levels currently sit at 27 per cent. In the meantime, council contracted SRH Milk Haulage to transport water from the Armidale Water Treatment Plant. Trucks will initially deliver 1.2 megalitres of water each week to the Guyra treatment plant, council says, supplementing the town water supply to households and commercial customers. As the name suggests, SRH Milk Haulage specialises in moving dairy products, but company compliance manager Blair Harvey tells ATN, this current deal comes…

While the trucking industry is all but unanimous on the need for wholesale change of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL), a different emphasis is clear from non-industry quarters on the option of a risk-based regulatory approach. Queensland government, academic and safety expert submissions to the National Transport Commission’s (NTC’s) HVNL reform paper on the subject point to a need for rigorous analysis and clarity on what a risk-based approach would look like and its efficacy. While Victoria’s and South Australia’s transport departments withdrew their submissions from publication, that of Queensland’s Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR), prefaced by director-general Neil Scales, was open to public reading. In it, Scales emphasised the reality of federation in what is “conceptually” a national regulatory framework, and therefore the accountability of state…

In the midst of current truck safety technology trials in Queensland, Rockhampton-based Rocky’s Own Transport has been singled out for its best-practice fleet equipment advancements. Rocky’s Own in-cab safety technology was the subject of a Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) and Queensland Trucking Association (QTA) tour of the company’s depot. CEO Bryan Smith welcomed TMR director-general Neil Scales, who says he visited “to talk about the safety and fatigue monitoring technology Rocky’s Own are using in their fleet [and] get a live demo of the technology in action”. “Gary Mahon [QTA CEO] came and had a look in the past at the technology we’re running and asked if we’d be interested in hosting Neil the next time he was here,” Smith tells ATN. “He was impressed by the…

Tony Mellick OAM, right, has swapped the reins of Kings Transport for a new tenure at Hi-Trans Express. Setting up base in Adelaide, he departs Melbourne-based Kings after more than five years, including nearly three-and-a-half as CEO. Upon completion of a three-year strategic plan, which included a rebrand and the launch of an electric vehicle fleet, Mellick says it was time for a new challenge. “Freshness is good for companies. At Kings I achieved its rebranding and strategic direction. “Hi-Trans were looking to transition from a family-led business to their next stage of growth, which included the recruitment of an external CEO.” Mellick says the move to Hi-Trans is a case of nothing ventured, nothing gained, turning his attention to a separate sector of the industry. The company is an…

In some respects, Peter Fox is very much like his father and in other ways, different. Significantly different. Lindsay, of course, is the founder who did the hard yards. One man, one truck, and a fierce determination to build something bigger. From here on, the life and times of Lindsay Fox need no help from me. It has all been said before. Yet there are those in the corporate sector who say – albeit very quietly – that Peter is perhaps too much like his father. Brutal in business, an uncompromising character. Too tough according to some! Personally, I don’t see him that way. But then, I’m not trying to sell him anything or competing for a contract – matters that would, I’m sure, change the dynamic dramatically. Nonetheless, there…

Avery common question that gets asked is: what road transport certifications schemes produce the best safety results? This is a relevant question as the development of certain road certifications schemes often had specific safety intensions behind their initial development. So, how do the certifications undertaken by the Australian road freight industry compare? This analysis does not give a total answer to this question but does give an insight for at least the high performing end of the Australian road transport sector, namely the high productivity vehicle fleets. THE TRUCKSAFE EVOLUTION A major focus towards road transport certifications happened in the 1990s following two horrendous bus and truck collisions in 1988 and 1989. The accreditation developmental wheels started turning when the then Road Transport Forum created the first step towards the…

In the 20th century, there were only three lines you had to hook up to a trailer – one electrics lead and two air hoses. But in the past couple of decades, on more and more trailers, there has been a fourth plug at the front. Initially it was for ABS – anti-lock braking system – and more recently for the superior EBS – electronic braking system. EBS – or “brake by wire” – has anti-lock braking, and it can also speed up brake application as well as reduce uneven brake application and brake wear. But EBS might also have a combination of traction control, stability control, load sensing and most significantly for new regulations this year, anti-roll functions. However, some EBS systems don’t incorporate all those amazing abilities, including…

Secon was started as a family business founded by Maurie Considine in 1969. Over the past 50 years it has grown and become a transport industry leader. It specialises in freight delivery across the Melbourne metropolitan area and offers a range of services from container cartage to warehousing and rotary pumping services. Its facilities are equipped with state-of-the-art inventory equipment, allowing Secon to solve transport challenges and deliver a complete logistics service to customers. Nailer, who previously served as Secon’s general manager, was promoted to CEO as part of a restructure following ongoing substantial growth at the company. Part of that plan was aggressive expansion over the next three years as part of Secon’s new corporate strategy.…

The Trailrider is based on the T60 Luxe, the better-equipped of the two T60 models. It adds a local suspension tune, sports wheel and tyre package, and locally engineered accessories including sidesteps, nudge bar, sports bar and roller tonneau cover. Over and above the entry level Pro, the Luxe gets keyless entry and start, folding and heated side mirrors, climate control in place of standard air-con, leather seats with six-way electric adjustment and heating up front, a chrome sports bar instead of a painted head board, and a rear self-activating diff lock. Standard equipment on all T60s includes six cabin airbags, disc brakes all around, alloy wheels, side-steps, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, LED daytime running lamps, tyre-pressure warning, blind-spot monitoring, a 10-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and…

LDV T60 Trailrider ENGINE 2.8-litre 4-cyl turbo-diesel MAX POWER 110kW @ 3,400rpm MAX TORQUE 360Nm @ 1,600-2,800rpm GEARBOX Six-speed manual 4X4 SYSTEM Dual-range part-time CRAWL RATIO 43.4:1 CONSTRUCTION separate chassis FRONT SUSPENSION Independent/coil springs REAR SUSPENSION Live axle/leaf springs FRONT & REAR BRAKES Discs KERB WEIGHT 2,100kg (approx.) GVM 2,950kg PAYLOAD 850kg (approx.) TOWING CAPACITY 3,000kg (braked) GCM 5,950kg FUEL TANK CAPACITY 75 litres ADR FUEL CLAIM 8.8L/100km TEST FUEL USE 9.5L/100km…

Railroad Transport has announced its acquisition of Hopper Transport. The takeover increases Adelaide-headquarted Railroad’s footprint on Australia’s east coast, with Hopper comprising depots in Sydney, Brisbane and south-east Melbourne. It says the company, specialising in transport and third-party logistics warehousing, boasts 40 B-doubles and 70 employees. “Hopper Transport offers the opportunity for Railroad to strengthen its position in the national logistics market to be able to offer regular express services to every mainland state,” Railroad notes. “The Hopper brand will continue to operate under Hopper Transport.” The acquisition marks a busy period for the intermodal operator, which completed its move into a new Melbourne depot earlier this year and is in the process of another warehousing development in Dandenong, is set for completion in late July. In an interview with…

The South Australian Road Transport Association (SARTA) has launched a broadside at an increasing incidence of overzealous clients in the supply chain, in what it deems an unintended consequence of last year’s Chain of Responsibility (COR) reforms. The growing COR compliance and consultancy space is leading to some clients becoming increasingly intrusive in the operations of a transport outfit, SARTA notes, which is actually counterproductive as it “only serves to increase their own legal liabilities”. In a no-holds-barred statement, the association points its finger at “ill-informed and/or scared customers”, who “are really only interested in covering their legal backsides, demanding ridiculous levels of reporting from their transport providers as well as absurd, unnecessary levels of intervention and access”. “We are hearing this more and more from a wide range of…

While transport industry players are as one in seeking less prescription in regulation through a reformed Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL), there is evidence indicating the position is less than universal. In her submission to the National Transport Commission (NTC) on the option of a risk-based approach to regulating heavy vehicles, the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO), Kate Carnell, argues that this option risks burdening many smaller operators. “It is important that any such change focuses on the need for improved safety, productivity and other benefits for the entire transport sector,” Carnell states. “However, this focus must refrain from adding unnecessary administrative imposts on small business operators. “It is also important that small business is allowed appropriate time to make any necessary changes to their vehicles and…

The New South Wales Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) has provided an overview of its Chain of Responsibility (COR) investigations, revealing it conducted 121 probes in the 12 months to May 2019. ATN’s request to RMS for information follows the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s (NHVR’s) own recent insight into its investigation efforts. NHVR does not have full enforcement jurisdiction in NSW yet, however, with the transition underway but not expected before June 30, 2020. “In addition to on-road enforcement including prosecuting operators where drivers breach rules, the Roads and Maritime Services Chain of Responsibility Investigation Team carried out 121 Chain of Responsibility investigations in the 12 months to May 2019,” an RMS spokesperson tells ATN. “There were 94 related to fatigue, 12 for load restraint, two for dimension offences and…

Further consolidation of the Australian cold storage and logistics sector will have to await an Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) probe on its market ramifications. The ACCC is seeking community and industry views on the proposed acquisition of AB Oxford Cold Storage Company by Emergent Cold. Emergent Cold provides cold storage services nationally through its facilities in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia. Oxford provides cold storage services through its facility in Laverton North, Victoria. The ACCC’s investigation is focused on the impact on competition. In particular, it is seeking views on: the impact on prices for the supply of cold storage services in Victoria; whether Oxford and Emergent Cold compete closely for the supply of cold storage services in Victoria; the extent to which…

Chris Hogarty, who formally led National Transport Insurance’s (NTI) Customer Team, will take on the leadership role of chief sustainability officer at a new section at NTI dubbed the Sustainability Team. This is the result of a partnership between the industry insurer and safe driving technology firm Seeing Machines. “Our small, focused team is made up of experts who, through their experiences at NTI, have developed a rich understanding and appreciation for our customer’s needs and their pain points,” Hogarty says.…

Now the Victorian Transport Association’s (VTA’s) new model for training and licensing heavy vehicle drivers has proved its worth and received state government funding, the rest of the country should follow suit. Over the past few years the VTA has mobilised member support to trial a new heavy vehicle training and licensing model and now has won a commitment from the state government of $4 million over four years to educate 800 new drivers. “The Victorian model, and the Canadian original that it was based on, have already established its effectiveness.” Focusing on developing 140 key competencies in a real life situation, the eight-day Mandatory Entry Level Training (MELT) program has been adapted from a successful Canadian model. Over 70 trainees were placed with member businesses and over two and…

LDV is part of SAIC Motor (formerly Shanghai Automobile and Industrial Corporation), one of four state-owned carmakers in China. In 2016, SAIC sold more than six million vehicles and currently has joint ventures with VW, General Motors and Italian truck and van maker Iveco. LDV became part of SAIC in 2009 and was previously a van manufacturer based in the UK and part of the ‘leftovers’ from the 1993 bankruptcy of Leyland DAF, a company born out of the earlier merger of Leyland Trucks (part of Britain’s Rover Group) and Dutch truck maker DAF.…

Qube Logistics is offering to buy container haulage and logistics firm Chalmers, pricing the deal at about $60 million. The offer to Chalmers shareholders, which has support from that company’s board, is either 2.31 Qube shares for each Chalmers share or $6.50 cash. Industry observers note that, given the value of Chalmers’ Melbourne land holdings, thought to be in the region of $40 million, the move represents good business for Qube. “The offer provides an opportunity for Chalmers shareholders to obtain liquidity for their shares at an attractive premium,” Qube MD Maurice James says. “The structure of the offer enables Chalmers shareholders to elect to cash out their Chalmers shares or, by electing the scrip option, to share in the growth of the Qube Group.” Qube views Chalmers’ operations as…

Alice Springs fuel distribution company Indervon Pty Ltd is facing NT WorkSafe charges related to the crash death of one of its truck drivers two years ago. NT WorkSafe says Mustapha Dahmani, 51, a recent arrival to Alice Springs, was into his fourth week of employment with Indervon when he died on July 16, 2017. At the time of the incident, Dahmani was on a bulk fuel delivery run unsupervised in a Kenworth T409 truck, “despite concerns raised on Mr Dahmani’s familiarity in safely operating a vehicle fitted with an 18-speed manual gearbox”. “An investigation found Dahmani failed to negotiate a curve in an unsealed portion of the Maryvale Road, about 74km south of Alice Springs, causing the truck to tip and rollover,” NT WorkSafe states. “Dahmani was not wearing…

Victoria’s Western Highway was closed in both directions between Horsham and Dimboola on July 11 following a fatal coach collision with a rolled-over B-double trailer. “The 36-year-old Murray Bridge man was driving a B-double truck along the Western Highway when the trailers dislodged about 2am,” Victoria Police says. He has subsequently been released “pending further inquiries”. The Herald Sun reports police will probe the truck driver’s company seeking to understand how the trailers came free of the prime mover. It quotes detective sergeant Chris Hays at the scene as saying: “Especially with heavy vehicles, we look into the nature of the load, condition of the truck and the Chain of Responsibility obligations of the trucking company and who engaged them to transport.” Victoria Police was unable to furnish any more…

Western Australian trucking and logistics firm Centurion has bolstered its Health Safety, Environment and Quality (HSEQ) arm with the double appointment of Trent Savage and Terry Nichols as executive general manager of HSEQ and general manager of HSEQ respectively. Savage was most recently a safety manager at Linfox and has further health and safety experience at Fortescue and Rio Tinto. “The team will be working hard to integrate the new online safety management system – reducing manual processes and paperwork – resulting in better data, shorter workflows and more time for ‘real’ face-to-face safety,” he says. Meanwhile, Nichols “brings 16 years of experience in operational and functional roles within client, contracting and consultant appointments, spanning from major projects through to small cap sector businesses nationally and internationally” at the likes…

NatRoad recently presented to a number of members and other operators in Perth. The strong messages received include that Western Australian operators: • aren’t opposed to a national system but are only interested in participating if it makes sense, which it currently doesn’t; • feel as if they are ignored by the national bodies involved in policy development and in administering the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL); and • have many unpleasant experiences associated with the HVNL and its enforcement, to the point that some no longer seek work outside WA. One of the topics highlighted was the need to reform the “national” fatigue laws as the way they are applied is a major problem for Western Australian transport operators. The main difficulty comes about because of a provision in…

Earlier this year, the National Transport Commission (NTC) released an Issues Paper, which dissects and analyses the regulatory style and structure of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL). The Issues Paper is the first step for the NTC’s review of the HVNL and discusses the regulatory foundation of the HVNL. The Issues Paper looks at the assumptions underpinning the existing law and sets the framework for further issues papers to be released, which are specific to particular areas of the Chain of Responsibility (CoR). THE NTC’S ISSUES PAPER There are different principles which underpin government regulation. Firstly, under prescriptive or “rules-based” regulation, the government is responsible for identifying risks and prescribing specific risk treatments. It leaves the roles of risk identification, analysis and controls with the government, with regulated parties…

It was a day like any other for Linfox driver Andrew Hastings, travelling along Victoria’s Western Freeway in February earlier this year. However, it was all to change when he came across an accident scene – two vehicles had collided, were now on fire and the drivers were injured. First on the scene, a quick-thinking Andrew used his truck’s fire extinguisher to stop the flames before helping an injured woman out of her car. He then tended to the severely injured driver of the other vehicle, performing first aid and comforting them until emergency services arrived. This is just one of the many amazing stories of our Highway Guardians. Stories like that of Darren Cooke who saved the life of a fellow truckie from a fiery scene on the Hume…

The transport industry in Australia is under enormous pressure to reassert its relevance and add value to its clients. We have become a commodity. Rather than an essential service, we have been reduced to targets on a spreadsheet and, sadly, those targets are becoming lower and lower as time goes on. When your entire existence is seen as a cost that needs to be further and further reduced, then something needs to change and change fast. In my view, the answer lies in moving away from the ‘race to the bottom’ on rates that too many transport operators are currently involved in and, instead, seeking to become end-to-end logisticians for our clients. If we can show them how eliminating middle layers and complicated steps in their supply chains can optimise…