Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 473 i Deals On Wheels Australia

Just how hot can the commercial vehicle market get? Obviously, that remains to be seen but indications are that this boom run has a way to go. When Isuzu Australia Ltd (IAL) launched its improved N-Series light rigid at the end of last month, the message was that it expected more records to fall, while expressing amazement that another boom was underway so soon after the last one. Truck Industry Council (TIC) T-Mark figures for this October presents reasons for all this bullishness. We can begin with the blazing run of monthly totals this financial year – 3,296, 3,520, 3,685 and last month’s 3,805. Then we can compare that with the same period in the previous peak year of 2018 – 3,344, 3,845, 3,506, 3,781. Then we can compare this…

The internet is full of videos of people failing to understand situations have changed. They often provide for embarrassing, salutary and sometimes painful outcomes as a form of entertainment. The most amusing of them involve people in silly “there but for the grace of a deity go I” moments, making mistakes any of us may have come close to making in the past. Others bring a touch of schadenfreude, where the arrogant and unthinking are brought down a few pegs due to an unfortunate reaction to them being just that. It is what dash-cam jockeys have taken to calling “karma”. Still others have a mesmeric traincrash quality that leaves observers more in awe than laughing, and questioning just how such things could have come to pass. The Heavy Vehicle National…

The federal court has dismissed Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) charges centring on whether four drivers were engaged as contractors or were actually employees. The case was brought against Boske Road Transport, now known as Avert Logistics and named as such in the case. Managing director Rick Boske cast the case as a ‘David and Goliath’ struggle. “After three and a half years defending false allegations against my company and having our family name dragged through the mud, being falsely accused, we can finally breath again!” Rick Boske said on social media and to ATN. “When many industry colleagues prompted me ‘just pay them what they want’, guilty or not, rather than go to court to defend our innocence and suffer the consequences of excessive court costs wasn’t fair. It never…

Some 4,900 truck drivers are under-taking the national infrastructure-building task, a major Infrastructure Australia (IA) report shows. This figure grew to more than 5,000 in early 2020, from some 4,000 in 2016, and barely 300 are expected to be freed up for other roles by 2025, according to IA’s first Infrastructure Market Capacity report findings. For a trucking industry struggling to find skilled drivers to fulfil regular transport needs, these are the most crucial statistics, though others may be more welcome due to the economic activity they entail. The thrust of IA’s findings are that there is a surge underway in demand for skills, labour, plant and materials due to the rapid increase in public infrastructure investment. Key report findings are: • a forecast average annual growth rate of 33%…

The Australian Army fleet has stolen an autonomous trucks march on the civilian on-road trucking sector, reporting success in recent trials. The $3.5 million project to develop truck platooning technology passed a key milestone during a recent two-week project at the Department of Defence’s Trials Proving Establishment at Monegeetta, Victoria that involved a five-vehicle convoy. The autonomous leader-follower vehicle technology, using modified Rheinmetall MAN Land 121 40M rigid medium trucks, was developed under a contract between the Institute for Intelligent Systems Research and Innovation (IISRI) at Deakin University, and Army’s Robotic and Autonomous Systems Implementation and Coordination Office (RICO). The Army, through RICO, continues to work with IISRI and the Australian Road Research Board on the potential transfer of the capability testing onto public roads with further refinement, performance enhancement…

Pacific National is hailing a significant recent investment in its haulage capabilities, commissioning 50 new C44 Evolution freight locomotives. Under a $297 million contract, UGL will design and manufacture the fleet in Newcastle. The first of their kind in Australia, the new locos will have lower emissions and greater fuel efficiency, thereby helping deflect environmental criticism from other transport modes. Pacific National notes the procurement supports its environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy, notably the upgrade of its fleet over five years. “The C44 Evolution locomotives will be among the most technologically advanced, fuel efficient and environmentally compatible diesel locomotives in Australia,” Pacific National said. Once rolled out, Pacific National expects its emissions reduction will equate to 15,000 tonnes a year, with a CO2 reduction of 300 tonnes per locomotive…

The review of the national truck law has proved to be a waste of time and money. We need to start again. The review started in November 2018, after the ATA and our members pointed out the problems with the existing law. We pointed out that the law was stitched together from 13 different sources. All that was missing were the bolts in its neck. We highlighted the complexity of the work and rest hour rules and the massive fines for drivers who made mistakes in their work diaries. And we pointed out that the industry’s productivity had slumped since the law was introduced. We provided comprehensive input to the review team at the National Transport Commission (NTC), including 11 detailed policy submissions. Each submission involved a review of best…

Australian Trucking Association (ATA) chair David Smith encapsulated the sense of deep frustration and disappointment the industry feels on the path that governments and the relevant federal entity have taken the National Heavy Vehicle Law (HVNL) reform process. “It was all for nothing,” Smith said of the three years of consultation, analysis and advice. “Over that time, the ATA had given the National Transport Commission [NTC], which has carriage of the reform, had received 11 detailed policy submissions, each involving a review of best practice and consultation with its members. “We spent tens of thousands of dollars on consultants. “In some cases, we provided the NTC with draft legislation that could have been introduced into parliament immediately.” While that might have sounded almost wistful, it hid much stronger feelings around…

Ford Australia’s is laying the foundations for its E-Transit van launch, revealing a strategy aimed at providing at least five new electrified vehicles by the end of 2024. The new Ford E-Transit is planned to debut in mid-2022. The US behemoth’s “electrification roadmap” will include many of the company’s already common nameplates while introducing new models that will diversify and broaden its local vehicle range. These will be made up of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) largely, while plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) will also play a role, “offering a vehicle to meet the lifestyle requirements of every Australian customer”. “We are accelerating our electrified future in Australia,” Ford Australia and New Zealand president and CEO Andrew Birkic said. “We are anticipating the needs of each type of customer and bringing the best…

Listed artificial intelligence (AI) tech firm SenSen has gained a National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) compliance systems contract involving vehicle-mounted cameras, a drone and solar-powered trailers. SenSen’s solution is to be deployed in the NHVR’s southern operations region, in line with its aim to “undertake intelligence-led, risk-based compliance activities, and increase their visibility of heavy vehicle fleet movements across the country”. “Our ability to deliver highly relevant and accurate information on heavy vehicle movements through a combination of drone, trailer and vehicle-mounted solutions in an integrated fashion is an exciting new frontier,” SenSen CEO Dr Subhash Challa said. “I am delighted SenSen’s AI capabilities delivered through our platform, SenDISA, have been recognised as critical for this success. “SenSen is pleased to be selected to lead this highly strategic project and…

it gave us something to do in lockdown Despite the effects of Covid-19 lockdowns over the past year, retired driver Bob Hall is showing determination to keep the memories, and the camaraderie, alive that existed at former logistics company Kwikasair during the 1960s and early ’70s. Especially the years when the eight-wheeler Kenworth ‘Grey Ghosts’ were introduced into the fleet. Hall says Covid has curtailed any plans of a reunion. However, the idle times that come with lockdowns brought an alternate opportunity for Hall and his former workmates. “We had a pretty big reunion a while ago at Bankstown Sports Club; we had 120 blokes turn up,” he explained. “But unfortunately, the way things are at the moment, it looks like we can’t get together. “So, what we’ve done, we’ve…

The sub-zero briskness of the morning had abated by lunchtime as I rolled into the rural New South Wales town of Cootamundra – the birthplace of Don Bradman. The Cootamundra wattle, celebrated in the John Williamson song, were in early stages of bloom as I scanned letterbox numbers for the residence of David Armstrong. I needn’t have bothered. Ahead of me, parked in the quiet street, stood the sky blue R-200 International I was looking for. Armstrong was coming off the back of a busy week carting newspapers from Yass to Cootamundra, so his taking the time out to indulge a classic truck tragic like myself was much appreciated. I was welcomed into the family home and introduced to Armstrong’s wife, Vicki. From the outset, it’s clear that this truck…

We buy Isuzu based on their reliability and our relationship with the dealer Tray tops, tilt trays, self-loaders, semi-trailers, and arguably Australia’s biggest crane truck featuring the Hiab 800E7 crane — City Crane Trucks Transport & Crane Truck Hire, located just north of Adelaide’s city centre, offers a service like no other. Running a fleet of over 50 crane and transport trucks for hire, the locally grown business caters to industries from construction through to government projects, mining and local transport, with no job too big or too small for this full-service fleet. “Your biggest task is our easiest challenge,” City Crane managing director Bruno Simone said. “And we’re happy to take on anything with our fleet. But we’ve managed to get a foothold in the bigger jobs in the…

Looks must be deceiving. Given how buff and muscular they look, our persons “most wanted” by police must spend an inordinate time in the gym and be as fit as fiddles, inside or outside their cases. But driving from Sydney to Queensland is too hard? As he is yet to face court, we will refrain from naming Mostafa Baluch, but police made national and international headlines by busting him while he had been travelling inside a Mercedes-Benz 4WD that was inside a shipping container on the back of a truck. Being the polite folk they surely are, Queensland police at the Queensland/NSW border knocked on the container and allege the wanted man knocked back. And now the truck driver has been arrested. Sure the Pacific Highway can be dull at…

Vertically integrated chemicals operation DGL has added Shackell Transport to its stable, hard on the heels of its AUSblue purchase announcement (see box). Founded in 1976, family-owned Shackell, a bulk-liquid transporter with exposure to the molasses sector, is also involved in regional and interstate distribution and linehaul services nationally for the the food, mining, chemical, agricultural, building and construction industries. Based in Pottsville, New South Wales, the firm brings with it 28 Kenworth and Volvo primer movers, 22 bulk liquid tankers and 31 largely Tieman and Barker trailers, many specialised, for a total price of $8.9 million – $7.8 million in cash and $1.1 million in shares. DGL underlined the vehicles’ importance, marking them as a significant fleet expansion. It also noted that the deal was first acquisition for DGL’s…

The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) has made a breakthrough investment in trucking. The federal government-owned enterprise has made its first investment through the Advancing Hydrogen Fund, committing up to $12.5 million to help Ark Energy Corporation produce green hydrogen to power what are expected to be the world’s heaviest fuel-cell electric trucks. The cash finance five purposebuilt, zero-emissions trucks and the construction of hydrogen production and refuelling infrastructure to fuel them, “helping deliver a more sustainable zinc supply chain”. As reported previously, the hydrogen fuel-cell electric trucks will deliver zinc ore from Townsville Port in Queensland to the Sun Metals Refinery, where they will refuel with green hydrogen produced on site, before taking zinc ingots back to the port in a 30km clean energy round trip. Ark Energy’s SunHQ…

Following a number of serious heavy vehicle crashes in Central West NSW, including two fatal crashes, officers from North West Highway Patrol together with Transport for NSW heavy vehicle inspectors participated in Operation Convoy on October 25-29. More than 150 heavy vehicles were stopped during the operation. The results were put at: • 156 drug tests without a positive result• one heavy vehicle detected speeding• six load restraint offences• 27 fatigue (hours) offences• 97 work diary offences with six charges laid for critical and severe fatigue breaches, the drivers having to appear in court later this year. Additionally, more than 50 offences were detected by light vehicle drivers, amounting to three positive drug tests and eight charges were laid for driving whilst disqualified, driving whilst suspended, drink driving, possessing prohibited…

SafeWork NSW has issued an incident alert after a 52-year-old truck driver was fatally injured in July on the Macleay Valley Way at Clybucca, in northern NSW. The location is commonly used as a changeover point for heavy vehicles travelling between Sydney and Brisbane. “On the night of the incident, several heavy vehicles were parked on the shoulder of both sides of the road,” SafeWork described. “The worker, who was not wearing high-visibility clothing at the time, was struck by an oncoming heavy vehicle. “The heavy vehicle was driving in the middle of the road at the time of the incident.” The safety watchdog implores freight workers consider ‘reasonably practicable’ control measures to manage the risks associated with heavy vehicle changeovers. All transport operators should: • conduct risk assessments of…

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has highlighted a new notice that aims to give eligible performance-based standards (PBS) vehicles immediate network access when they receive a vehicle approval with a Tier 1 bridge assessment. Under the notice, all PBS vehicles must pass various safety and infrastructure standards, such as acceleration capability, turning space, pavement wear, and mass and dimension limits. “Previously operators of these approved PBS combinations would have to apply for a permit after receiving their vehicle approval,” South Australian infrastructure and transport minister Corey Wingard said. “This National Class 2 Performance Based Standards (Tier 1) Authorisation Notice 2021 eliminates the requirement of a permit application and allows operators automatic access to approved networks. “This is another example of governments and the regulator reducing red tape and providing…

After three years of consultation, submissions and commentary, it’s time to stick a fork in the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) reform process because it’s done. Sadly, the HVNL review is now directionless. The policy choices the National Transport Commission (NTC) proposes and the pathway for industry to weigh those policies as practical and appropriate reforms is unclear and torturous. Whilst transport ministers appear to have given the NTC some riding instructions, there is no clear road map to show how the process will lead to better laws. The review process that started in May 2018 is off the rails. It is not progressing the reform agenda in any meaningful way. I’ll explain using fatigue management as an example. The NTC asked NatRoad members and other stakeholders to comment on…

Isuzu Trucks has announced what it states as the safest Isuzu truck ever developed for the Australian market with major updates to its new N Series light-duty range. The latest incarnation of its 4x2 N Series trucks will offer operators not only the brand’s famous promise of reliability, but the next generation of truck safety with the introduction of Isuzu Intelligent Safety. There are a number of cosmetic enhancements to the range, notably the improved cabin appointments. These updates include an interior revamp in seat-cover material and cabin appointments. Behind the dashboard also comes a new CAN converter circuit and connector, making it a simple exercise to fit a fleet management or telematics system. Outside, a new exterior lamp assembly with prominent foglamps gives the new range a distinctly different…

Transportation technology services company Eroad has released its inaugural sustainability sentiment survey, Road to Sustainability, designed to identify how prepared businesses are for shifts in compliance towards sustainability. Eroad said it had gathered data and insights from 1,134 key business decision makers across Australia and New Zealand to facilitate the report. Report key findings include: • Over 37% of light fleets and 21% of all heavy fleets expected to be fully electric or alternatively powered by 2025 across Australia and New Zealand• 11% of public companies indicated they will invest in transitioning fleets to alternate power sources, which is almost double that of private companies at 6%• Across Australia and New Zealand, regulatory standards and reporting requirements and government funding and grants are in the top three motivators to increase…

Delays and slow-downs in shipping deliveries are putting transport and logistics operators under pressure in getting their goods to customers and raising new risks to be managed. It’s a case of rolling with the punches by responding to these pain points with appropriate strategies for risk management. The difficulties for Australian businesses are mainly due to the ongoing effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, such as: • increased consumer demand• the availability of containers• limited shipping space• increased costs as a result of demand• unreliable shipping information. These difficulties have multiple roll-on effects on transporters’ risk exposure. The increase in demand can lead to errors in deliveries or mistakes that cause damage to goods. This can have an effect on your goods in transit insurance. Having to store more of your…

Despite all the hassles and hardships, Paccar Australia’s performance in 2021 is shaping up to be nothing short of outstanding. A sublimely remarkable achievement in a time of immensely uncommon challenges. The numbers speak for themselves, and none speak louder than Kenworth’s. For the year up to the end of September, the market’s premier brand had delivered 1,972 units, equating to 21.7% of the heavy-duty sector. Its nearest rival was Volvo, more than 800 trucks behind on 12.9%. In effect, Kenworth at the end of the third quarter of 2021 was probably just weeks away from easily surpassing its 2020 full-year performance, which saw 2,114 new Kenworths roll out of the Bayswater (Vic) production plant. Indeed, Kenworth is, this year, comfortably on track to deliver around 2,500 trucks. Meanwhile, corporate…

it is extremely important to build long term relationships with companies For more than a decade, Western Australian transport specialist Freight Lines Group has relied on Vawdrey Australia for efficient and reliable trailers, which are often set up as pocket road train combinations and re-configured for optimal fleet utility. In the 1960s, a humble freight company commenced operations in Esperance to Perth. By the 1980s, it established a fuel distribution arm along with fresh fruit and vegetable operations. The business collectively known as Freight Lines Group (FLG) has since expanded into mining, bulk commodities, agriculture and specialised freight, boasting a team of about 210 staff. “The fuel business was sold and then Harding Transport was born with the fruit and veg distribution – this evolved over time to the company…

A truck driver has been ordered to pay nearly $550,000 to Blenner’s Transport in a civil case over truck and cargo damages caused by a rollover while using a mobile phone. The District Court of Queensland court found William Dowling breached his duty of care to the company by illegally using his mobile device, failing to pay due care and attention, and losing control of the truck causing loss and damage to the goods and the truck. On September 18, 2019, he received a call while driving on the Bruce Highway south of Ingham. In-cabin monitoring showed him failing to connect with a Bluetooth earpiece before looking down for about two seconds to swipe the phone with one hand, with the other on the steering wheel. The truck veered left…

Driver wellbeing a priority for recently reappointed board as it promises a modern regulatory approach The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) says delivering truly borderless operations and increasing flexibility for safe operators are key features of a modern regulatory approach, as outlined in its Strategic Directions 2021-2026 document. The NHVR sees its long-term strategy’s release coming at a “critical time” for industry, as the regulator pursues ambitious and relevant industry reform to the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL), currently under the spotlight. “We know the majority of industry want to do the right thing – our job is to leverage this through data sharing and tailored regulatory approaches to lift safety standards right along the supply chain,” NHVR chair Duncan Gay said. “We have learnt a lot over the last…

A powerful mix of legacy issues and recent developments is leaving supply chains increasingly hamstrung just as demand soars, according to a Deakin University report. The issue comes against a backdrop of the world’s supply chains undergoing massive transformation at an unprecedented pace, driven by an increasingly volatile geopolitical situation, an explosion in new technologies and an increased focus on ethical and sustainable practices. Recent research – undertaken by Deakin University’s Centre for Supply Chain and Logistics and Wayfinder: Supply Chain Careers for Women, an industry sponsored initiative that aims to create a diverse talent pipeline for the sector – explored the issue from the perspective of company executives and senior government officials. Centre director Dr Hermione Parsons and senior research fellow Dr Roberto Perez-Franco interviewed 21 senior executives from…

The Tasmanian government will provide $80,000 to the Tasmanian Transport Association (TTA) to support a pilot program to bring new job-ready heavy vehicle drivers into the transport industry. State infrastructure and transport minister Michael Ferguson said that the industry employs 12,500 Tasmanians but has an ageing workforce – the oldest across all industries in Tasmania – and faces strong competition in attracting young people. Many Tasmanians have a heavy vehicle licence but more training is needed to prepare a person to be a safe, productive and responsible driver, Ferguson observed. The TTA has developed a plan to bridge this gap. The Heavy Vehicle Drivers Licence Plus program aims “to take people beyond the heavy vehicle driver licence and make them job ready”. “The TTA has done a great deal of…

As CEO of the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR), there is one constant that guides all decisions – and that’s the topic of safety. Safety will always play a pivotal role in the success of the road transport task – and the priority of the NHVR is to work collaboratively to ensure that everyone remains safe and feels secure in their workplace – be that an office, a warehouse, on the road, or anywhere else. There are many ways the NHVR, governments and industry work together to bring about the best safety practices and measures. In particular, the federal government introduced the Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative (HVSI) in 2017, which is administered by the NHVR to deliver tangible road safety outcomes, improve road networks, and promote greater levels of heavy…

Often, with my long-winded stories, I tend to focus on a single protagonist and, nine times out of 10, it’s the owner of the featured truck, or the driver, or the owner-driver. For this story, though, it really feels like I’m writing one of those big budget Marvel ensemble movies as there are so many main characters. The lead character is Justin Wenham, owner of Mahnew Transport, which is based in Lenswood, South Australia, although I’m sure he thinks he’d look good in tights and a cape. However, this isn’t a superhero movie; it is unequivocally a family story with a bucketload of ‘Star’ power (sorry, couldn’t resist that pun). In fact, Wenham really shares top billing with the other cast members, notably his number one driver and unofficial little…

Cummins Inc. has revealed an entirely new 15-litre natural gas engine, which is almost certainly the foundation for a radically revised heavy-duty diesel engine range. In natural gas form, the engine is known as the X15N but in a press statement, Cummins refers to the engine as “the launch of our universal 15-litre platform for heavy-duty” and cites a new strategy that “focuses on new powertrains including advanced diesel, natural gas, hydrogen engines, battery electric and fuel cells”. Despite the extensive natural gas componentry, images of the X15N highlight a vastly different block design and, as reported in our accompanying Kenworth feature, the new engine appears to be “built on a sculpted block similar in principle to the livewire Cummins X12 engine”. As we also reported, the new engine is…

Oh boy, am I glad to be writing this little introduction. On Friday, October 1, I was sitting in a truck more nervous than a salad sandwich at a vegetarian buffet. It had nothing to do with my impeccably filled-out work diary, it was all about the Queensland Premier’s morning Covid report. I’d timed my half hour fatigue break to correspond with the press conference and the small area where I could get phone coverage. I waited with bated breath to find out if there were any unconnected cases and, as a consequence, any lockdowns. The confines of a K200 cab meant my celebrations were curtailed by the bruising of my head as I literally hit the roof. No lockdown meant Lights on the Hill 2021 was all go for…

Coming to the Port of Brisbane early in the morning for the start point of the Lights On The Hill convoy is a stark reminder of how passionate everyone in this industry is. Rows of trucks wearing banners proudly stretched across grilles bearing pictures and messages of family members and mates lost to the road, whether through chance, bad luck or ‘just their time’, shows that it takes passion and a genuine love for what you do to be able to continue in an industry after it’s taken away someone close to you. There can’t be any other explanation for it. That’s why it was so heartening to see so many drivers, families and friends out in force to support those who have lost loved ones and to continue the…