Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 406 i Australasian Transport News (ATN)

Qube’s Moorebank Logistics Park in Sydney is set to house two new distribution centres for Woolworths, following the announcement of a joint $1.2 billion investment. Set to open in 2023 and 2024, an 34,600-square-metre automated regional DC and a 40,700 square metre semi-automated national DC, which are subject to New South Wales government planning approval, "will strengthen Woolworths’ supply chain and deliver the new capacity needed to underpin future growth", the supermarket says. Both sites will build on semi-automated and automated technology deployed at Woolworths’ Melbourne South Regional Distribution Centre, which was opened last year. Woolworths Group will invest around $700–$780 million in the technology and fitout of the two distribution centres over the next four years and has signed an initial lease term of 20 years with Qube. For…

Listed food and horticulture logistics specialist Lindsay Australia is starting to feel the contraction in demand for sectors it services, and has subsequently adjusted its earnings guidance for the financial year. Initially bullish about its prospects with many product lines and supermarkets experiencing a significant surge in consumer activity, particularly during March, which led to an increase in demand for certain freight activities, the company now sees growth at a slower pace. "These market conditions have now abated, and there has been a material flattening and decline in demand experienced during May and June 2020 resulting in a significant reduction in freight tasks," director Kim Lindsay says. "This flattening generally coincides with an end to Covid-19 related panic buying for many products, and as widely reported a decrease in economic…

A new road train network for Victoria, improvements to cross-border travel and fewer requirements for access permits will begin under a new national road train notice overseen by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR). Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport Scott Buchholz announced that the 2020 National Class 2 Road Train Notice commenced on Thursday, July 9 in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Victoria, where road trains carry more than 15 billion tonne-kilometres of freight every year. "Since the original national road train notice was introduced, we’ve seen significant growth in the freight task, as well as the productivity and safety benefits of harmonised networks," Buchholz says. "I’m grateful to all the road authorities for taking the time to work with the NHVR to upgrade the…

Livestock and Rural Transport Association of Western Australia (LRTAWA) is calling on the state government to stick with a national understanding on truck registration. LRTAWA president David Fyfe reports that the WA government recently increased heavy vehicle registration fees by 2.5 per cent, whereas most other states have agreed to freeze the charges until June 30, 2021, to assist in the Covid-19 recovery effort, in line with a Transport and Infrastructure Council (TIC) decision. Fyfe is "disappointed with the decision which the association only discovered after making inquiries about what the government intended". "There has not been any consultation with industry, and we are unaware of the rationale behind WA transporters being singled out for additional costs compared to their counterparts in other states," he says. "Whilst the rural transport…

Consultancy TM Insight has pulled off a recruitment coup, landing ex-Toll global head of sales and business development Marcus Carmont. Carmont takes up a new position within the supply chain and industrial property advisory firm, that of executive director of business development. TM Insight says the recruitment will “strengthen the business’ leadership team and the organisation’s ability to provide customer-led supply chain solutions across Australia, New Zealand and throughout South-East Asia”. Carmont will work alongside chief customer officer Nathan Bingham and other senior directors to deliver on TM Insight’s strategy to design and deliver world-class supply chain, property and project management solutions that position their clients as clear industry leaders. “In the last year, we have seen significant growth in our business, as logistics and supply chains become more important…

Ian Stanley has been in the truck and bus game for over 30 years – including as a driver, fleet and operations manager – and driving instructor at Strategix Training in Brisbane for the past decade. He does B-double licences in two days, including 16 hours behind the wheel and a two-hour driving test. He goes beyond the call of duty in taking nearly all candidates up and down the old Toowoomba Range, teaching them how to hold on to a big rig using either a crash box or an automated gearbox in manual mode. “Should the training be longer for all heavy vehicles? Absolutely!” Stanley says. “I would love to have people for a week but we would price ourselves out of the game. “For that to happen, it…

Adecade ago or so, the transport and logistics industry was looking for efficiencies by getting to grips with hand-held devices – to run baseline tasks. This was for urban truck and van drivers, mostly but not entirely for delivery purposes, and for warehouse operations. But such is the speed of technological and IT development that a germ on an idea could develop in that time into using one much higher up – to operate the whole company! Welcome to the world of Melbourne port logistics service provider Norman Carriers, the cutting-edge incarnation of which is run by Gareth Hearnden. “It all began with a dream to be able to run the entire business off a smartphone,”Hearnden tells ATN. “The first step was conducting a review of all our systems. Once…

As far as prime movers go, Japanese trucks generally don’t rate high on the heap. At least, not in this country and certainly not on linehaul routes. Sure, there are exceptions. Some operators swear by their positive experience with a particular brand of Japanese prime mover, but with even fewer exceptions, it’s an experience largely limited to metro work or relatively short regional runs. Funny thing though, over the ditch in Kiwi country, Japanese models are a major player in every part of the prime mover market. Horses for courses, I guess, given that distances and conditions in the two countries are as blatantly different as ‘six’ and ‘sux’. Whatever, it’s many years since a Japanese brand had a notable presence in the ranks of Australian prime movers. Decades in…

We are half way through the most disrupted calendar year since the Global Financial Crisis (GFC), for sure – some might also point to the OPEC oil shock or even the Second World War. And where does that leave us for June’s commercial vehicle sales? Well, after seeing charts only pointing the wrong way for many months, it is time to draw a deep breath and take stock of the Truck Industry Council’s (TIC’s) T-Mark statistics. Keeping in mind that June is usually a good month and July may fail to frank the form, it would be a cold heart that failed to be warmed by what looks a significant sales rebound. Where once we were seeking ever-earlier comparative years and eyeing the post-GFC doldrums of 2014, we are now…

We at the kennel bow to no one in our admiration of NSW Ports supremo Marika Calfas. Even in these more-enlightened times, it takes a sturdy character for a woman to make it as high as that in transport and logistics – though more are! But despite container ships being slower than the average Sydney truck, except during peak hour, maritime developments there can make 18 months seem very short indeed. Don’t believe us? Take NSW Hansard from January 2019 in a hearing about Newcastle on the vexed question of the state’s mean and tricky port privatisation on the question of 10,000 TEU ships: “Ms CALFAS: They are not coming here now for a few reasons. One is that the market does not need it. The market does not have…

Amidst the pomp and ceremony of NorthConnex’s first end-to-end drivethrough lurks a Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) memo to trucking operators on the consequences of avoiding the new toll road. The launch of the $3 billion state-federal initiative saw a photo opportunity for prime minister Scott Morrison, federal infrastructure minister Michael McCormack, New South Wales premier Gladys Berejiklian and NSW transport and roads minister Andrew Constance at the nine-kilometre, twin tunnels, which travel between the M1 Pacifc Motorway at Wahroonga and the M2 Hills Motorway at West Pennant Hills. The tunnel is said to be open to the public "within two months". In a statement, all ministers praised the flagship project, with Berejiklian noting once complete NorthConnex would save up to 15 minutes’ travel time and allow drivers to avoid…

Waste transport firm Veolia has been fined $9,000 over a 2018 truck accident on the Tasman Bridge in Hobart. The tilt-tray heavy rigid was over-height when carrying a C-Type non-standard container of empty jet fuel drums on a job for the Australian Antarctic Division, according to the ruling; a rare one to be published from any magistrates court. The container hit an overpass with a height limit of 4.3 metres, throwing it from the truck and into a car, causing the driver to be hospitalised but with non-lasting injuries. "The defendant’s internal procedures ought to have been engaged, to ensure that somewhere between the point in the system or operation where the job request was received and the point at which the container was loaded on the truck, there was…

Australian Container Freight Services (ACFS) Port Logistics has swallowed Kerry Logistics’ warehousing and transport business in Adelaide. ACFS adds another of Kerry's South Australian assets following its 2017 purchase of its MT Park empty container depot operations, with the most recent transaction to be effective July 6, 2020. "Expansion in the Adelaide market has been a strategic focus area for ACFS in recent years, and we have patiently awaited the right acquisition opportunity whilst furthering the capability of our existing operation and building a solid foundation that is capable of comfortably managing strong growth be it organic or via M&A," ACFS CEO Arthur Tzaneros say. "Kerry’s business and customer base perfectly complements ACFS’s strength in providing warehousing and transport solutions via the most efficient and lowest cost operating model." Tzaneros…

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has unveiled a program to support manufacturers and operators incorporate safety and environmental technology into new and existing heavy vehicles. The Vehicle Safety and Environmental Technology Update Plan (SETUP) was developed following a survey of manufacturers in 2018, and is designed to meet the targets set out in the federal government’s National Road Safety Action Plan 2018-2020, NHVR notes. The plan comprises five work packages, including better harmonisation of Australian vehicle standards, better access to the latest vehicle technologies, ensuring appropriate in-service requirements, and industry education about new and emerging technology. These include: 1. Advocate for the increased harmonisation of Australian vehicle standards to allow for the latest designs from origin markets; and fitment of safety and environmental technology from those major market designs2.…

Truck driver training is one of the flagship new programs accompanying the first stage of major upgrades to South Regional Tafe's Collie campus in Western Australia. The opening of the new facilities coincided with the launch of the new Heavy Haulage Driving Operations Skill Set pilot program that will deliver skills to truck drivers with an aim of increasing productivity and industry safety. Endorsed by the Western Roads Federation (WRF), it was "developed following considerable industry consultation and will fill key skills gaps for this essential service". The five-week course has been developed to support workers and businesses and gives drivers the end-to-end skills needed in their workplace and help jobseekers increase their employability. The course will also give participants eight units of competency from the Certificate III in Driving…

The Western Australian government appears not for turning on its decision to raise state heavy vehicle registration fees. Despite calls for a rethink from the Livestock and Rural Transport Association of Western Australia (LRTAWA) and the Western Roads Federation (WRF), the office of state transport minister Rita Saffioti indicates there are no plans to rethink the rise. "The state government announced a freeze on household fees and charges, including vehicle licence fees, on 16 March 2020," a state government spokesperson tells ATN. "This freeze in charges does not apply to heavy vehicle motor vehicle licence [MVL] fees, as they are not part of general household fees. "Heavy motor vehicle licence fees will increase by 2.5 per cent from 10 July 2020. "In 2019-20, the average MVL fee payable in WA…

Most days Brad Greenrod witnessed what the transport industry sees far too often – truck drivers who can’t drive. Until recently, Greenrod was a driver assessor and on-road compliance manager with one of Australia’s biggest trucking companies. But, shockingly, he estimates for every couple of dozen applicants with B-double licences he interviewed, after the practical test he would hire only one – maybe two. “It’s fairly common for them not to be able to keep the truck in the lane, they couldn’t hook them up, couldn’t reverse – basically couldn’t drive out of sight on a dark night,” Greenrod laments. “I’ve had blokes slam the truck into the back of trailers and miss the king-pin completely.” Greenrod – whose own driving specialty is in heavy haulage – doesn’t blame the…

Victorian premier Daniel Andrews and NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian announced the closure of the border with New South Wales following discussions with prime minister Scott Morrison. "Special conditions will be in place for freight operations and other critical services," the NSW government says. NSW Police commissioner Mick Fuller says a hard border would be established at appropriate locations to enforce the border closure. "The NSW Police Force is ready to step up, 400 police officers plus other agencies are preparing to enforce the closure of the NSW and Victorian border," Fuller adds. The border with South Australia was closed by that state the week before, and though freight is deemed an essential service there and nationally, truck drivers must undertake form-filling to enter that state. Caught between a hurried New…

Queensland’s first industrial manslaughter case has ended with Brisbane Auto Recycling fined $3 million and its directors convicted and handed suspended jail sentences. The company, along with Asadulla Hussaini, 25, and Mohammad Ali Jan Karimi, 23, were found to have been negligent in causing the death of 58-year-old contractor Barry James Willis. Both pleaded guilty to reckless conduct and were given 10-month suspended sentences. The Brisbane Disctrict Court heard that Willis was fatally struck by a forklift while operating at the premises on May 17, 2019. Wallis had parked a tilt tray truck after delivering a van and was then loading tyres onto the tray when struck by another worker, Mohammad Yaqubi. While an effort was made to provide a version of events placing responsibility on Willis, including that he…

Transport and logistics gains a look at the possible regulatory future with the National Transport Commission (NTC) releasing a consultation regulation impact statement for a reformed Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL). According to federal transport minister Michael McCormack, his government recognises the importance of simplifying the legislation for heavy vehicle operators, regulators and government. "We have heard the many concerns from heavy vehicle operators and peak bodies about the current HVNL," McCormack says. "There is no doubt the HVNL needs significant improvement and through this review initiated by the Transport and Infrastructure Council of COAG, the NTC is examining the best options to achieve this. "The Australian government will monitor the progress of the NTC review and how we can best enhance road safety and productivity for our heavy vehicle…

The National Diesel Dirt & Turf Expo is on the move. After its first four great years at the Panthers Penrith, residential development on the Panthers site meant a new home for the National Diesel Dirt & Turf Expo was needed. After being postponed from its originally scheduled May event, the 2020 Expo is being staged from October 16–18 at the Sydney Dragway. Conveniently located at Ferrers Road, the move to the new Sydney Dragway has been warmly welcomed by exhibitors who appreciate the many benefits of the site. These include 8.4 hectares of flat, all-weather asphalt surface, easy access to power and other infrastructure, expansive car parking, a great machinery demonstration site and indoor pavilion facilities of a similar size and configuration as those at Penrith. Expo manager Marti…

Queensland transport and main roads minister Mark Bailey is the latest relevant state minister to express concerns publicly about the inflation of container-chain costs through stevedore access charges and other measures. Bailey’s intervention, which seeks federal leadership on a national container logistics malaise that includes international containership operators, makes a clean sweep of state transport ministers responsible for major container ports in the country looking critically at the issue. "On stevedore charges, we have concerns about higher freight costs being passed on to consumers and manufacturers," Bailey tells ATN. Despite container shipping, imports and exports being national issues, federal transport minister Michael McCormack’s office has responded to recent ATN queries by showing little inclination to delve into the detail, sticking to the line that the port sphere is a state…

The new Covid-19 spike starting in Victoria had many hallmarks of the initial outbreak: lockdown, panic buying, border crossing confusion and concerns for truck drivers on the front line. But on July 6, for the first time in a century, it was announced the NSW-Victoria border would close and, with Transport for NSW (TfNSW) waiting on the state’s health minister to issue the order before it could explain any cross-border freight permit processes that might be involved, industry was scrambling for information on how the freight task could be facilitated. “What was floated was that there would be no permits for freight, there would be a special laneway for trucks and this sort of thing, which hasn’t eventuated,” NatRoad CEO Warren Clark told ATN. Instead, as the Transport Workers Union…

American hydrogen-electric hybrid truck developer Nikola Motor Company has revealed its first entrant into the zero-emissions pick-up ring, the Nikola Badger, is coming to Australia. The company’s founder and executive chairman, Trevor Milton, also confirmed via Twitter that the EV pick-up will be available to pre-order in the US from June 29, 2020. “We open up reservations for the most bad ass zero emission truck on June 29,” Milton tweets. “See the Badger in person at #nikolaworld2020 this year. “You’ll get to see a real operating truck, not a fake show truck. “Expect stamped metal panels, functioning interior w/HVAC, 4x4, etc.” Milton also posted a pre-production interior computer-aided design image of the Badger, adding: “Notice the floor mounting system? It’s throughout the truck and made to secure any loads within…