Pacific National, Australia’s largest private operator, and logistics company Austrans are on a mission to reshape the country’s logistics landscape.
The two companies have signed a landmark 10-year contract. This emphasizes both parties’ desire to decarbonize the supply chain by transporting more freight by rail. The companies are investing in technology, equipment and staff to make this a reality.
Lower emission transport
Pacific National’s CEO and managing director Paul Scurrah says this partnership has a great outcome for Austrans customers. “These investment initiatives, combined with Pacific National’s existing depth of nationwide expertise and operational capacity, provides Austrans with added scope to expand and thrive in the national supply chain. Rail freight also provides a lower emissions transport solution to both Austrans and its many end customers,” he says.
Austrans is a logistics provider across Australia. The company was founded as a family business in 1986 by Peter and Florence O’Shea. It specializes in intermodal, road and rail freight.
Pacific National’s operational footprint is some 90 terminals and depots across the mainland of Australia and extensive rolling stock assets which includes main line locomotives and almost 2,000 wagons dedicated to servicing its containerized business.
Australian freight and logistics market
Mordor Intelligence reports the Australian freight and logistics market is to grow at an annual compounded annual growth rate of 4.04% in the next six years.
Australia and the world are in the grips of a cost-of-living crisis. While the Strategic Fleet does propose that it will boost Australia’s maritime industry, and with some opposition to the initiative, is this the right time to introduce this fleet?
This month, Shipping Australia announced it was working together with the World Shipping Council on a liner shipping policy. Shipping Australia represents ship owners nationally and internationally.
Trucking in Australia
Earlier this year, the ministry of infrastructure and transport announced a historic decision to increase the overall truck width for trucks in the country. These changes came after the Australian government made changes to national road safety standards. The new development may just be a game changer for the trucking and logistics industry. An article by The Driven emphasizes this change: “The change will be particularly helpful for light duty trucks. According to a 2022 report from the EVC and the Australian Trucking Association, vehicles based on EU or US market designs make up around 60 per cent of new heavy trucks and redesigning them for the Australian market is estimated to cost AU$15 to $30 million per year.”
About the author
Sharl is a qualified journalist. He has over 10 years’ experience in the media industry, including positions as an editor of a magazine and Business Editor of a daily newspaper. Sharl also has experience in logistics specifically operations, where he worked with global food aid organisations distributing food into Africa. Sharl enjoys writing business stories and human interest pieces.
