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From the Editor’s desk
Freight club
The New South Wales Government has announced its plans to grow the freight industry to $130 billion by 2061 while employing an extra 235,000 workers and delivering a massive boost to the local economy. The initiative arrives at a time when the sector’s contribution from Gross Value Added (GVA) is expected to grow by an average of $1.6 billion a year until then.
The Delivering Freight Policy Reform in NSW is an expert report led by Dr Kerry Schott AO and a panel of three members which, requested by the State Government in January last year, sets out a clear roadmap to achieve the $130 billion goal. These steps will essentially ‘ready the state’ to better integrate freight into its transport networks of the future.
The report has identified dozens of short to long-term actions including amending the port policy for container terminals, increasing recruitment programs to address workforce shortages and developing a ‘freight master plan’ to ensure an integrated and long-term approach through enhanced strategic planning for freight.
NSW Minister for Transport, John Graham, said the State Government is determined to “enable the freight sector to reach its potential” through these initiatives.
“Freight arrives at our biggest ports but moves through all our neighbourhoods on the road and rail network,” he said. “Preparing those networks for the drivers of change to freight – especially population growth and technological change – is a big task and this report sets a roadmap to guide us.”
Based on industry feedback, the panel has also clarified their recommendations relating to the Willett Review into the Ports and
Maritime Administration Act and the Port Botany Landside Improvement Strategy (PBLIS). Graham has reportedly asked Transport for NSW to appoint an independent facilitator to help ensure industry is ‘well consulted’ on the implementation of these changes. He is also seeking further review of opportunities for increasing freight movement during off-peak periods.
“The movement of freight is fundamental to how we all live our lives, the cost we pay for imported goods and the competitiveness of NSW manufacturers and producers,” he said. “Any additional recommendations will be incorporated into this action plan. I thank the reviewers for this reform plan.”
The NSW Government has accepted the report’s recommendations and has also requested that further work into barriers and opportunities for moving more freight at night is completed.
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Business partnerships, people movements, developments that bolster freight productivity and more.
26 Economy
The Kwinana Freeway will be the focus of congestionbusting upgrades over the next two years.
28 Refrigerated transport equipment
Carrier Transicold’s Vector eCool is now being further supported by an international company acquisition.
30 Trailer builder
Australia’s trailer manufacturing industry is as strong as ever.
34 Fifth wheels
Withcott Seedlings has ensured the safety and security of its fleet by fitting JOST’s Loc-Light sensors.
36 Trailer building materials/components
A showcase of the products and services that keep trailers on the move.
40 Weighing systems
Knorr-Bremse weighs in on its global market reflections.
42 Special report – NBTA 2025 Bulk Tanker Day
The 2025 Bulk Tanker Day featured an array of insight and presentations on di erent topics.
44 Special report – Australia’s food supply chain
To alleviate challenges, businesses are calling for better policies and new technologies.
46 Special report – Australia-Japan hydrogen value chain
Australia and Japan have the potential to lead the way in international clean energy according to a report.
48 Safety insight
GKR Transport has gained a safety advantage by standardising Knorr-Bremse systems in its fleet.
50 Infrastructure spotlight
What you need to know about Australia’s biggest road projects this month.
52 World map
Bauma 2025 saw an ultimate display of construction and mining road transport technologies.
57 Fleet of the month
Simon National Carriers has invested in a substantial amount of trailers.
58 What’s on
Upcoming shows and field days.
Don Watson Transport closes doors after seven decades
Long-standing refrigerated carrier, Don Watson Transport, has folded.
The company announced its intentions to wind up operations on 5 June on an internal memo circulated to employees.
“Due to current economic conditions, the Don Watson Group of companies have made a definite decision to leave the warehousing and road transport industries,” wrote Don Watson Transport Managing Director, Lyndon Watson.
“We understand this may come as a shock, but we have formed the view that it is simply no longer possible to continue to operate,” continued the statement.
“All employees will receive all of their entitlements in full in accordance with the terms of relevant legislation and enterprise agreements.
“We have taken all the necessary steps to guarantee that all employees will receive all of their entitlements on time.”
The Bacchus Marsh-based family business had depots in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Wodonga, home to its cold store facility.
Ferrying stock between Melbourne, Ballarat, and Dandenong in 1948, the postwar business was founded by G.H. ‘Don’ Watson on the back of several K Series Austins.
By 1966 Don Watson Pty Ltd was officially registered as a company.
The refrigerated segment of the business was established in 1984.
In recent years, the fleet had introduced on its Brisbane to Melbourne legs high productivity combinations like A-doubles through its premier partnerships.
Just four years ago, Don Watson Transport was recognised by Primary Connect as its Large Carrier of the Year for its work with Woolworths Group nationwide.
The fleet of over 150 trucks included 44-pallet road trains, 34-pallet B-doubles and a wide range of 22-, 24- and 28-pallet semis.
The Don Watson Group memo stated that all employees at the company would be impacted by the decision.
Mondiale VGL opens new Perth depot
Leading freight and logistics provider, Mondiale VGL, has finalised the construction of its new purpose-built facility in Western Australia.
Located in Jandakot near the Roe Highway and within 20 minutes of Fremantle Harbour, Mondiale VGL’s new Perth depot is Australian Border Force (ABF) bonded and Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) Biosecurity approved with 1.3 and 4.6 accreditations for fumigations.
The 22,000-square-metre distribution and container storage facility is made up of a 5,500-squaremetre warehouse with 6,500 square metres of pallet racking and 10,700 square metres of container rated hardstand.
It features state-of-the-art technology such as 62 cameras and access control with AI functionality, 32A electric vehicle chargers, motion detection sensors and LED light fittings incorporating photoelectric for daylight harvesting.
Mondiale VGL Head of Transport ANZ, Scott Walker, told Trailer the sixth purpose-built facility was developed as part of the business’ expansion plans and objective to continue to grow.
“We see strong growth in Western Australia,” he told Trailer
“We want to cement our position as a freight forwarder, transport provider and 3PL provider in the area.
“This new location will be critical to our growth and for continuing to provide customers with a seamless supply chain experience nationally.”
According to Walker, the facility will provide Mondiale VGL with a significantly improved operation and various efficiency gains.
These include larger container hardstand operations, drive-though terminal access speeding up truck processing times and large warehouse operations to service the Mondiale VGL’s customer base.
“These improvements in operations and proximity to customers will
enhance our service levels and capabilities,” Walker told Trailer
“They also strengthen our commitments to our customer base in the west and our customers around Australia that require a strong national network.”
The facility was constructed with several sustainability initiatives in mind. It features 99kW solar array with a 100kWh battery which together are estimated to prevent 102 tonnes of carbon from being emitted into the atmosphere annually – equating to 714 tonnes of carbon over the life of the facility’s first lease term of seven years.
Mondiale VGL also achieved an estimated 45 per cent reduction in embodied carbon in the development of the 150-tonne-rated hardstand.
Walker said building the side from the ground up has also given the company the opportunity to utilise the latest CCTV, access control and alerting technology.
“All of our sites across Australia are fully equipped with Verkada cameras, however we have also implemented Verkada Pass Access control here at Jandakot,” he told Trailer
“This provides easy remote unlock/ lock functionality from the portal which allows staff to unlock doors remotely and talk to people at the intercoms.
“We have also installed license plate recognition cameras to allow our vehicles to have easy and automatic entry to the site.
“This technology provides us with high-quality footage, recording, AI search functionality and alerting capabilities which are used for security and safety to meet our ABF requirements.”
Construction of the new facility was first announced in August last year.
A Don Watson Transport refrigerated trailer. Image: Don Watson Transport.
The new depot. Image: Mondiale VGL.
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Gareth Lawless named new GM of Knorr-Bremse Australia
Knorr-Bremse has made a key leadership change within its Commercial Vehicle Systems team in Australia.
Gareth Lawless has been appointed as General Manager – Commercial Vehicle Systems (CVS) Australia.
Lawless has extensive experience within the commercial vehicle industry.
Within his 11 years at Knorr-Bremse, he has held several roles including Business Development Manager, Trailer Business Manager and Sales Business Manager.
Lawless told Trailer he is looking forward to entering the new role.
“I am proud to have been entrusted by the Board to lead this team of passionate industry professionals for what will be an exciting next chapter for Knorr-Bremse Australia CVS,” he told Trailer
“I am excited to lead our amazing team in the next chapter of our journey
together and can’t wait to get started.”
Knorr-Bremse Australia’s current General Manager, Michael Roche, will be transitioning into a new role as General Manager Rail Services.
“It’s been an absolute pleasure to work with the CVS team and our many customers for nearly 10 years,” he said. “I look forwards to seeing what’s next with Gareth at the helm.”
QLD Government set to renovate timber supply chain
Queensland leaders have met to shape the state’s future timber supply.
For the first time, the Timber Supply Chain Ministerial Roundtable has met to progress the State Government’s election commitment to grow the industry through a timber action plan.
The Queensland Future Timber Plan (QFTP) will ensure the state has access to local timber required to build one million homes by 2044.
The Roundtable includes representatives from Timber Queensland, AgForce, Queensland Farmers’ Federation, the Housing Industry Association, Forestry Australia, HQPlantations, Australian Forest Contractors Association and leading timber companies.
The former Labor Government had committed to a timber action plan in 2019 that was set for completion by 2021 but instead resulted in a timber shortage during a housing shortage.
The Roundtable will support the Queensland Government’s 25-year blueprint for primary industries, which aims
to increase the state’s primary industries production output to $30 billion by 2030.
Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett said the meeting is a critical first step in getting the timber industry back on track.
“We’re serious about securing Queensland’s timber future, and that starts by working directly with the people who grow, harvest and process our timber,”
Minister Perrett said.
“This is about protecting jobs, building regional economies, and making sure we have the materials needed for the homes and infrastructure of tomorrow.
“The Roundtable will provide practical advice on how we can meet growing construction demand while supporting innovation and sustainability across the supply chain.
“This is a landmark opportunity to rebuild the future of one of Queensland’s most important and environmentally sustainable industries starting with the people who know it best.”
CEO of Timber Queensland Mick Stephens welcomed the establishment
of the Roundtable and the opportunity for industry to provide direct input into the QFTP.
“The timber industry already plays a key role in ensuring we have local sustainable materials for housing and construction and through this plan we aim to unlock the barriers and opportunities to further increase the supply of timber to help meet the Government’s target of one million new homes over the next two decades,”
Stephens said.
“Investment security for both the plantation softwood and native forestry sectors will be critical to bolster growing, harvesting and processing activities across the supply chain.”
The Roundtable will operate for 12 months in line with the QFTP development timeline.
Gareth Lawless. Image: Knorr-Bremse.
Vale Danny D’Angelo
The founder of D’Angelo Engineering, Arrigo (Danny) D’Angelo, has passed away at the age of 94.
His son, Giulio D’Angelo, said: “He left us in the early hours of this morning, 4 June 2025, surrounded by his loved ones.
“He meant so much to us and to so many others, we are absolutely heartbroken by his loss.
“Dad, may you rest in peace.”
Glenn Hambleton of Air Brake Systems shared a statement online: “Danny was a genius engineer and he was a pioneer of the early design work of the fifth wheel turntable. My condolences go out to the D’Angelo family for the loss of an industry legend and icon Danny D’Angelo.”
Danny D’Angelo shared his story with Trailer in an exclusive interview in 2019.
He arrived in Australia from Italy in 1955 and spent the following two years bouncing between Geelong and Melbourne for work.
His trade in Italy involved working with brakes, cutting metal and welding.
However, instead of being offered technical workshop work upfront, Danny D’Angelo was tasked with more menial roles such as cleaning of office facilities with a bucket, rag and mop. He did this for about four months before moving onto more relevant work such as painting maritime vessels and working with an industrial chemical firm in Geelong.
While these positions paid well, he said, the roles were often short-lived. The chemical job, for instance, was good for a solid six months but then he was looking for more work again. This led him to building silo tanks to store wheat – his first foray into the Australian bush.
Through word-of-mouth Danny soon found a new opportunity in freight, hearing stories from farmhands and drivers about making a little coin at the markets. By the 1960s Danny D’Angelo started a family and pooled enough resources to purchase his own truck.
Within a month of operating the vehicle, a drunk driver ‘turned his truck into a pizza’. Danny D’Angelo sold what was left for scrap as back in those days insurance would not cover the damages and committed to restoring the written-off ride.
This focus would steer him toward semitrailer manufacturing and repair work.
The workload for one man, eventually, became too physically demanding for Danny D’Angelo.
Even when he expanded his operations to hire additional labourers to tackle the work, other challenges cropped up from quality assurance to tools going missing. Rather than continue to accept ambitious projects that would see him toil for days on end, he focused his technical skill on component innovation.
Toll Group deploys 12 Freighter Tautliners
Toll Group has taken delivery of 12 new quad-axle Tautliners from Freighter Group.
The trailers have been deployed as part of the fleet’s longstanding partnership with Coca-Cola Europacific Partners in New South Wales.
Featuring carrying capacities of 24 pallets, these units will allow Toll to increase its load capacity per truck from 21.5 tonnes to 28.5 tonnes.
Toll Group Senior Vice President Retail Transport & Grocery, Michael Freestone, said this will result in several advantages.
A Victorian trailer manufacturer, McGrath’s, consulted with Danny on a trailer design.
Danny D’Angelo’s custom couplings and bushes demonstrated the advantages of using lighter-weight components instead of relying on heavier imported options. Closing the deal, one thousand units later, Danny concentrated his efforts on a variety of other components including fifth wheels, ballrace assemblies, Ringfeder cross members, landing legs, slewing bearings, skid plates and truck and trailer accessories.
On the back of these engineering breakthroughs, Danny opened his family business, D’Angelo Engineering, in 1968. As of May 2003, the business found a new home in Laverton North, Melbourne.
Over the years, Danny D’Angelo was instrumental in fifth wheel developments including a patented 12” greasy plate assembly as well as other designs that are rated for B-double and road train applications.
He was also instrumental when asked to design and build components for York, Holland, JOST and others around the world as he is known for being an inventor of fifth wheel assemblies and components.
“At the end of the day, making a product is good,” Danny D’Angelo told Trailer. “But if you do your work properly then your customer will never run away.”
“This means fewer trucks on our roads, lower CO₂ emissions and greater efficiency — benefiting our drivers, our customers and the environment,” he said.
“It also demonstrates our unwavering commitment to safety, sustainability and operational excellence.”
Four of the 12 new Tautliners. Image: Toll Group.
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GPT and QuadReal form $1B logistics partnership
GPT Group and QuadReal Property Group have announced a new Australian logistics joint venture which will be known as GPT QuadReal Logistics Trust 2 (GQLT2).
The partnership will be seeded with approximately $460 million of high quality, stabilised logistics assets located in east coast urban infill and middle ring locations.
Once established, GQLT2 will target further growth deployment of $500 million, focusing on acquisitions of stabilised, core plus opportunities in major east coast markets.
GQLT2 will serve as the primary vehicle for QuadReal to scale its national logistics investments and will be operated and managed by GPT.
QuadReal’s total commitment for an 80 per cent stake in the partnership is approximately $400 million.
QuadReal Managing Director, Asia, Nat Miller, said the company is ready to grow its presence in the country.
“QuadReal is excited to expand its strategic investments in Australia with a trusted partner like GPT,” he said.
“The transaction has strong market fundamentals and reflects our high conviction investment strategy which seeks to build portfolios that are resilient across economic cycles.”
GPT Group CEO and Managing Director, Russell Proutt, further commented on the utility of the GQLT2 joint venture.
“The formation of GQLT2 aligns with our strategy to meaningfully invest and grow with our partners by designing and pursuing compelling investment programs,” he said.
“We are pleased to have been able to activate the partnership’s formation by providing a foundational portfolio of assets from our direct property holdings.
“GQLT2 builds upon the established relationships between our organisations that span the logistics and living sectors, and we look forward to delivering on its strategy.”
Implementation of the transaction is targeted for completion this month and is subject to approvals by the Foreign Investment Review Board.
BHP announces $1.5B transport partnership with Aurizon and Symons Clark Logistics
BHP’s Copper SA business has partnered with Australian company, Aurizon, to deliver a solution through four contracts valued at approximately $1.5 billion.
The integrated road, rail and port logistics project will support BHP’s copper transport operations in South Australia over the next decade.
Under the arrangements, the transport of copper concentrate and cathode from BHP’s Olympic Dam, Carrapateena and Prominent Hill mines, as well as other inbound freight, will shift to rail between Pimba and Port Adelaide.
Symons Clark Logistics has been subcontracted by Aurizon to deliver the road transport component between Pimba and the mine sites.
BHP Asset President Copper SA, Anna Wiley, said this agreement marks the most transformative shift in Copper SA’s logistics since the business’ creation.
“The shift to more rail transport will improve road safety, lower emissions, create local business opportunities and deliver significant synergies for our
business,” she said.
“This partnership forms a critical link between our operations in the state’s far north and our path to market at the Port of Adelaide. It’s about delivering South Australian resources to the world.
“Global demand for copper is rising fast and, with two-thirds of Australia’s highquality copper resources, South Australia is uniquely positioned to meet it.”
The major shift to an integrated logistics solution will effectively replace an estimated 13 million kilometres of truck movements annually – removing more than 11,000 truck movements from SA roads per year.
Deputy Premier of SA, Susan Close, said it will deliver meaningful improvements in road safety, ease regional congestion and significantly reduce emissions across the state.
“The partnership BHP has announced today is a consolidated intermodal transport solution, which will reduce congestion on regional roads, and demonstrates their long-term commitment to realising a Tier
One copper province that could play a significant role in meeting the predicted surge in international demand for copper required by the global energy transition,” she said.
“South Australia is host to around 70 per cent of Australia’s copper resource, and BHP is well positioned to help maximise this opportunity.”
Aurizon CEO, Andrew Harding, said the organisation is thrilled to partner with BHP Copper SA and to support one of Australia’s most significant resource operations over the next decade.
“We have been able to leverage our significant capability and existing footprint in South Australia to deliver a solution that puts the majority of freight onto rail, which in turns drives down transport emissions and delivers benefits for the broader community,” he said.
“As Australia’s largest rail freight business, we see a big growth opportunity in South Australia especially with future-facing commodities such as copper that play such a critical role in the global energy transition.”
Containers stored at a port. Image: JT Jeeraphun/stock.adobe.com.
Qube opens new WA bulk storage facility
Qube has opened a new purpose-built bulk storage facility in Western Australia.
The 5,700-square-metre shed is located at Qube Bulk’s Rockingham depot.
Delivered by Q Design & Construct three months ahead of schedule, the project is the third of its kind that has been designed and constructed for Qube Bulk.
“QDC is proud to continue our longstanding partnership with Qube, delivering another facility at Qube Bulk’s Rockingham facility,” Q Design & Construct said.
“We look forward to working on more great projects to together.”
Vale David Warriner
An influential figure in northern Australia’s pastoral industry and key contributor to live cattle export trade, David Warriner, has passed away.
The Australian Livestock Exporters Council (ALEC) paid tribute to Warriner.
“While many people will recognise David for his extensive career in northern cattle production through his various roles, his contribution to the live export industry and his fierce advocacy on its behalf cannot be understated,” said ALEC Chair, David Galvin.
Warriner served as President of the Northern Territory Cattleman’s Association (NTCA) from 2012-15, a tenure that was defined by the northern cattle industry’s recovery from the Gillard Government’s disastrous ban on live cattle exports to Indonesia in 2011.
“He was proud to stand up for the rights
of the graziers affected by this ban, and made it his mandate to right the wrongs from this disastrous government decision,” said Galvin.
After stepping down as President of the NTCA in 2015, Warriner continued to make an important contribution to the broader industry by becoming Chair of the Northern Territory Livestock Exporters Association (NTLEA) in 2016. In this role he was a champion of the industry, consistently highlighting to both territory and Commonwealth governments the trade’s critical importance and advocating for practical and efficient regulation of the industry.
In 2019, was elected to the board of the Australian Livestock Exporters Council (ALEC) where he served a two-year term. Throughout his tenure on the ALEC board, Mr Warriner’s extensive knowledge,
political influence and strategic acumen was apparent, and he played a critical in guiding the industry through some significant challenges during that time.
“David did not have to extend his advocacy beyond the cattle production sector when he finished as NTCA President,” said Galvin.
“But he chose to take on these roles because he recognised that the success of the northern pastoral industry and the live export industry are intrinsically linked and that working as a collective was paramount to protecting its future. We owe David a great debt for his efforts.
“On behalf of the Australian live export industry, I extend our deepest condolences to the Warriner family on this sad occasion. We have lost a great stalwart and his contribution to our industry will never be forgotten. May he rest in peace.”
A civil engineering specialist is supporting the planning of $100 million in safety upgrades for a historic New South Wales freight link.
Civil Consulting and Highway Design will investigate the Bells Line of Road which has been impacted by floods and fires in recent years. A range of improvements for consideration
include new overtaking lanes, realigning curves, installing safety barriers and intersection upgrades.
State and Federal Government said in a joint statement that participating councils and other stakeholders will be consulted to ensure understanding of local priorities and options to provide a safer, more resilient and reliable transport network
for all road users.
“The Blue Mountains is one of Australia’s most beloved national parks, so as we proceed, we’ll ensure the future upgrades are designed to minimise heritage and conservation impacts,” said Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King.
Qube Bulk’s new storage facility. Image: Q Design & Construct.
Malcolm Bundey joins Mineral Resources Board
Mineral Resources (MinRes) has announced the appointment of Malcolm Bundey as Non-Executive Director and incoming Non-Executive Chair of the MinRes Board.
Following an extensive international search, the MinRes Board unanimously endorsed Bundey as its preferred candidate on 10 April 2025.
According to MinRes, Bundey is a highly experienced board director and executive who has led multinational and multibillion dollar private and ASX listed organisations through significant change, performance improvement, acquisitions and sustainable growth.
He brings expertise in managing complex global heavy industry operations and deep experience across professional services, manufacturing and primary industries and private equity.
Bundey said he is honoured to have the support of the MinRes Board and is eager to contribute to its growth and success.
“MinRes was built on the entrepreneurial and proactive culture that has attracted me to every senior role I’ve occupied in my career,” he said.
“I look forward to addressing the challenges before us, which we’ll approach head-on.
“I’m confident the new Board will lead the MinRes through the next chapter, continuing to strengthen the company’s corporate governance while focusing on a collegiate and success-driven culture in the boardroom.
“MinRes’ 7,000-strong team, founder Chris Ellison, the MinRes Board and senior management have together built a unique and formidable business that is poised to advance its position as a world-leading mining services and resources developer and operator.”
In his role as Non-Executive Director, Bundey will Chair MinRes’ Ethics and Governance Committee (EGC), bringing corporate governance experience to drive the next stage of the committee’s work.
He will continue as an EGC member when he transitions to Board Chair.
MinRes Board Nominations Committee Chair, Zimi Meka, said Bundey was the standout candidate and unanimous
Malcolm Bundey.
Image: Mineral Resources.
choice of the Board through an extensive international search.
“Mal brings a multidimensional background in finance, corporate restructuring, general management and mergers and acquisitions, with broad geographic experience as both a pervious CEO and current Non-Executive Director in complex private and ASX listed businesses,” he said.
“He’s a measured leader who strikes the right balance between strong corporate governance and savvy commercial outcomes, with extensive experience in entrepreneurial founder-led businesses.
“In my three years on the MinRes Board, I’ve grown a deep appreciation for the unique capability of the company’s people and culture – which is focused on selfdelivery, innovative solutions and shared ownership of outcomes.
“Mal will be a significant value-add to that capability with an unswerving focus on realising value for our shareholders.”
Outgoing MinRes Chair, James McClements, said he is confident and reassured to be handing the role over to Bundey.
“For the past 10 years, I’ve been privileged and proud to contribute to MinRes’ growth,” he said.
“I am confident this company has the assets, people and strengthened governance structures in place to take full advantage of its next chapter, creating leading, long-term returns for shareholders.
“[Bundey’s] temperament, extensive experience leading founder-led businesses and focus on commercial outcomes backed by robust internal governance will help MinRes capitalise on the many opportunities ahead.”
Vale Jeff Anderson
Jeff Anderson, a well-known figure in the Australian steel industry, passed away on 16 May.
Anderson was widely respected across the industry which he spent more than 30 years in.
He held several operational roles at the likes of Commercial Metals, Macsteel and Australian Steel Traders.
Australian Steel Association CEO, David Buchanan, honoured Anderson’s contributions in a statement.
“Jeff led with calm determination, unshakable integrity and a deep sense of responsibility,” he said.
“He was the quiet force behind so many successful outcomes – a leader in logistics and port operations whose work kept the industry moving, even when few were watching.
“His sudden loss is felt profoundly by those who worked with him and knew the strength of his character.”
Several entities in the transport industry took the time to pay tribute to Anderson.
“A great man and so saddened by Jeff’s passing,” said Tasman Logistics Services CEO and Managing Director, Ivan Vanis.
“Our long relationship brings me only happy memories. A true gentleman.”
Butler Freight Services Managing Director, Adam Arkinstall, said Anderson was an “outstanding man filled with integrity drive and a great sense of humour”.
“All of [our] thoughts and love go out [to] his family [and] friends,” he said.
Port of Newcastle Business
Development Specialist, Daniel Miles, reflected on his own memories with Anderson.
“I feel so very lucky to have met Jeff and benefited from experiencing the wonderful way he treated his fellow humans,” he said.
“He was responsible for achieving so many great outcomes for those he worked with while always maintaining great relationships and genuinely caring for others.
“A wonderful friend gone way way too soon.”
Janelle Greene named new NTI CEO
NTI Limited has appointed Janelle Greene as CEO.
Greene, previously being Chief Customer Officer, replaced Tony Clark who has held the position of CEO for the last 18 years.
As Chief Customer Officer, Greene has been responsible for developing the strategic direction of NTI’s underwriting, customer experience, marketing, business insights and pricing and portfolio management teams.
She has held a broad range of roles across NTI including leadership of the claims and operations teams and management of many large-scale projects such as Seahawk (Marine), and Mobile Plant (Yellow).
“Janelle brings extensive experience in strategy, project oversight and cultural and business transformations to the CEO position,” said NTI Board Chairperson, Ellie Comerford.
“Since joining NTI 10 years ago, she has earned the respect and admiration
of her NTI colleagues, as well as those in the insurance and transport and logistics industries, with her leadership, commitment to continuous improvement and desire to deeply understand customers and their experiences.”
Greene said she is looking forward to the challenges of the new role.
“I’m excited to be leading an organisation filled with outstanding people who truly love what they do and are passionate about working hard and making a positive difference when things get tough for Australian businesses and families,” she said.
“NTI has so many strengths – our people, our values and purpose, our deep connections with industry – and we will continue to build on them into the future.”
Clark will continue to provide his experience and expertise as Managing Director as he transitions towards retirement in mid-2026.
He said it has been a privilege to lead NTI for the past 18 years.
“I have genuinely loved coming to work during my time with NTI,” Clark said.
“Even when we faced tough market conditions, issues within our industries, the pandemic and more, the Executive and all NTI People always banded together and found a solution.
“It’s been an honour to be CEO, and now I wish Janelle all the very best as she takes the organisation forward – it’s in very capable hands.”
Glassons named first tenant for Stockland logistics facility
Stockland has accepted Australian and New Zealand fashion retailer, Glassons, as the first tenant to move into its first multi-storey logistics facility, Stockland Momenta.
Located within the south Sydney industrial precinct in Banksmeadow, Stockland Momenta is part of the property development company’s $1.6 billion national logistics development pipeline.
According to Stockland Head of Logistics Development, Craig Lenarduzzi, Stockland Momenta is just one of the pipeline’s projects which are designed to meet demand for quality logistics hubs in Australia’s growing cities.
“Our logistics assets cater to the key demand drivers of population growth, freight volumes, and retail and e-commerce, and are close to major consumer markets, infrastructure and employment,” Lenarduzzi said.
“With its prime inner-city location at Banksmeadow, Momenta boasts good access to Sydney’s road, rail and port network, and is close to end users for the
efficient delivery of goods and last-mile delivery.”
Once complete in early 2026, Stockland Momenta will comprise two storeys of warehouse space with each level accessible to B-doubles.
Glassons will occupy the site’s second storey, which spans around 7,800 square metres, for an initial six-year period.
It will reportedly benefit from the facility’s proximity to Sydney Airport, Port Botany, major transport corridors, and the Sydney CBD which is around 11 kilometres away.
Glassons Head of Property and Logistics, Sam Glasson, said it is critical for multinational businesses to have modern logistics facilities in central infill locations to meet customer needs and drive business success.
“As we organically grow our bricks and mortar and e-commerce business in Australia, it’s vital that we future proof our distribution capacity to service our store network and online customers efficiently,” he said.
“Stockland Momenta’s strategic location
means we are close to Sydney’s major transport hubs for efficient delivery, and the building’s sustainable design features reflect our own commitment to improving sustainability in all areas of our operation.”
Redevelopment of the site is continuing simultaneously.
The facility was previously a distribution centre for Smeg – the appliance company has since relocated to an expanded premises at Stockland’s Ingleburn Logistics Park.
An artist’s impression of the facility. Image: Stockland.
Janelle Greene. Image: NTI.
Registrations open for MegaTrans 2026
Australia’s largest supply chain and logistics trade show, MegaTrans, is officially returning in 2026.
Scheduled to take place from 16-17 September 2026 at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, MegaTrans 2026 will once again shine a spotlight on The Sustainable Supply Chain of the Future – attracting key players across freight, logistics, warehouse operations, transport technology, infrastructure and more.
Building on the success of previous editions, MegaTrans 2026 will continue to serve as a comprehensive platform to exhibit the industry’s latest innovations, host insightful industry discussions and provide unparalleled networking opportunities.
Exhibition space is now available, with early registrants receiving access to premium floor positions and exclusive promotional benefits.
Businesses looking to reach a highly targeted audience, forge new partnerships and demonstrate leadership in the supply chain sector are encouraged to secure their spot early.
“MegaTrans is more than just an expo –it’s where the industry comes to connect, collaborate and shape what’s next,” said MegaTrans Event Director, Siobhan Rocks.
“We’re excited to welcome back exhibitors and partners for what promises to be our biggest and most impactful event yet.”
Mainfreight reports growth in full year results
Mainfreight has announced its full year financial results for 2024.
The period saw much growth for the logistics company which experienced a revenue increase of 11 per cent to $5.24 billion NZD (approx. $4.86 billion AUD).
Net profit was 31 per cent higher yearon-year (YOY) at $274.3 million NZD (approx. $254.4 million AUD), while profit before tax (PBT) fell by three per cent to $383.6 million NZD (approx. $355.7 million AUD).
This growth was exclusively delivered from Mainfreight’s Australian business which was the international company’s best performer.
“This is a satisfactory result, assisted by a pleasing performance from our Australian operations, which has become our largest revenue and profit contributor,” Mainfreight said.
Mainfreight’s three core products –Transport, Warehousing and Air & Ocean
– all experienced revenue increases. However, only its warehousing sector experienced an increase in PBT, to $63.59 million NZD (approx. $58.99 million AUD).
Company directors approved a final dividend of 87.0 NZD cents (approx. 81.0 AUD cents) per share, making the full dividend for the year 172.0 (approx. 160 AUD cents) per share.
Mainfreight’s operating cashflows have been reported as $584 million NZD
(approx. $542 million AUD) compared to $508 million NZD (approx. $471 million AUD) the financial year before.
The company’s net capital expenditure for the financial year was reported at $234 million NZD (approx. $217 million AUD), more than what was predicted halfway through the year.
Roughly half of this amount – $111 million NZD (approx. $103 million AUD) was spent on property.
Mainfreight branding on a trailer. Image: Mainfreight.
MegaTrans 2024 held at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre. Image: Prime Creative Media.
Pacific National’s St Mary’s Intermodal Terminal acquired
Cadence Property Group and PGIM Real Estate have purchased Pacific National’s St Mary’s Intermodal Terminal for $145 million.
Following the transfer of ownership, ACFS Port Logistics’ lease on the property has also been renewed for the next 20 years.
The freight and logistics asset was built by Pacific National in 2020, with operations opening for the rail freight transporter in late 2021.
Located approximately 47 kilometres west of Sydney’s CBD with direct rail access to Port Botany as well as other major NSW warehouses and distribution centres, the property covers 10 hectares of a 43-hectare site.
ACFS Port Logistics had been renting this 10-hectare property from Pacific
National for four years prior to the acquisition.
The lease renewal also includes an immediate 20,000 square-metre container hardstand expansion to meet growing demand for efficient, scalable and sustainable freight solutions for the region.
ACFS Port Logistics Managing Director and CEO, Arthur Tzaneros, praised the agreement and its role in enabling the company’s plans for growth.
“Thank you to our property partner in Cadence for the acquisition of St Mary’s Intermodal Terminal, securing the future of ACFS for a further 20 years with additional option periods in the heartland of Western Sydney,” he said.
“Immediately we will commence our expansion plans and construction to grow
our offering at the St Mary’s Intermodal Sydney.”
The $145 million transaction marks the first collaboration between Cadence Property Group and PGIM Real Estate.
A Cadence Property Group spokesperson said this agreement highlights both businesses’ capabilities in managing complex, infrastructure-aligned industrial investments.
“We’re excited to be partnering with ACFS Port Logistics, one of Australia’s largest privately-owned container logistics operators, in agreeing to a new 20-year lease,” the spokesperson said.
“A big thank you to our partners at PGIM Real Estate and ACFS Port Logistics –we’re looking forward to delivering on the full potential of this asset and unlocking long term value for the region.”
Freighter Group unveils new VIC dealership
Freighter Group has opened a new purpose-built facility in Brooklyn, Victoria.
The new dealership replaces the business’ previous facility in Derrimut.
According to Freighter Group, the move will expand product and support capabilities for customers.
Freighter Group Victorian Dealer Manager, Grant Mitchell, was pleased to make the announcement that the business would be relocating.
“This move reflects our ongoing commitment to serving you better by expanding our parts and service support, as well as continuing to deliver new trailer solutions that meet your evolving business needs,” he said.
“All other contact information remains the same, and we’re looking forward to welcoming you to our new location.”
Freighter Group’s parts and services divisions are fully operational within the facility.
Retail and office spaces are currently in the final stages of completion.
Freighter Group’s new Victorian dealership is located on 469 Somerville Road.
Freighter Group T-Liner drop deck B-double. Image: Freighter Group.
Six 24-hour No-Truck Zones set for Victoria
Six 24-hour No-Truck Zones are being introduced in Melbourne’s inner west.
These will apply to Francis Street and Somerville Road in Yarraville, Buckley Street and Moore Street in Footscray, Blackshaws Road in Altona North and Hudsons Road in Spotswood.
The zones will come into effect when the West Gate Tunnel opens later in the year.
The new regulations will allow certain heavy vehicles to travel across NoTruck Zones including buses, tow trucks, concrete trucks and waste disposal trucks.
Two-axle trucks that aren’t transporting shipping containers will also be allowed to access No-Truck Zones – ensuring the delivery of groceries, parcels and other services to residents across the inner west without disruption.
Motor homes, emergency service and police vehicles that are classed as heavy vehicles, as well as trucks that are garaged within No-Truck Zones, will be able to travel through these designated zones.
Exemptions will also apply for truck deliveries, construction or maintenance work, and vehicle repairs and sales.
Heavy vehicles entering No-Truck Zones will be monitored by smart roadside cameras that can detect and categorise a vehicle’s exemption status and motorists may face fines if caught in zones they are not permitted to travel through.
These No-Truck Zones, according to the State Government, will remove thousands of trucks every day from residential streets and redirect them through the new West Gate Tunnel.
The aim of it being improved safety, air quality and noise reduction for local communities in the inner west.
“These regulations and the smart cameras will help us take thousands of trucks a day off local streets right across the inner west, improving safety and air quality for the community when the West Gate Tunnel opens later this year,” said Minister for Ports and Freight, Melissa Horne.
Earlier in the month, the Victorian Government announced Sensor Dynamics had been awarded the contract to supply and install cameras that will assist the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) with monitoring and enforcement.
The introduction of these regulations follows a trial in September 2022 which monitored curfews and restrictions for trucks moving through the inner west, as well as ongoing consultation.
“These regulations mean that local residents will see less trucks on their residential streets when No-Truck Zones across the inner west come into effect, without compromising the delivery of groceries, parcels and other services,” said Member for Footscray, Katie Hall.
Tyre pressure & temperature live monitoring
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Melbourne city skyline at twilight. Image: f11photo/stock.adobe.com.
ASI continues to secure exemptions on US tariffs
The Australian Steel Institute (ASI) said it will continue to work with the Australian Government to secure an exemption from America’s global tariffs on steel imports.
This comes after the Trump Administration’s decision to raise the tariffs from 25 per cent to 50 per cent from 4 June 2025.
ASI CEO, Mark Cain, said that this increase could exacerbate the surge in imported low-priced steel, and that he could see Australia becoming a dumping ground for imported steel due to the disruptions to the steel trade.
He also said that the ASI will continue pressing for relief on behalf of its 7,000 members despite the decision.
Australia was granted an exemption from the Trump Administration after nine months of lobbying by the ASI, government and other relevant bodies.
Load restraint guide updated
The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has rebranded and reformatted the Load Restraint Guide (LRG) to enhance usability.
A review of the guide is now commencing to ensure it continues to meet the needs of industry.
NHVR Manager Standards and Advice, Peter Rouse, said the LRG provides best practice load restraint systems to meet a broad range of loading requirements and standards.
“The LRG is an important resource used across the heavy vehicle industry to support safe and compliant loading and load restraint practices,” he said.
“It includes technical information, detailed diagrams and worked examples to help determine the restraint required for heavy vehicle loads.
“To help ensure the guide remains current and continues to reflect safe load restraint practices, a review of the LRG has now commenced to ensure it continues to meet the needs of industry.”
The NHVR has launched a discussion paper to assess the scope and direction of future updates of the guide.
This will ensure it continues to meet the needs of industry and reflects current loading technologies, equipment and practices.
The NHVR is welcoming feedback from anyone with an interest in the safe loading of heavy vehicles.
“We are seeking feedback on the structure, layout and overall usability of the guide for different audiences,” Rouse said.
“The discussion paper will focus on improving how loading requirements and performance standards are explained and applied in the guide, which will ensure the next edition of the LRG is clearer, more practical and easier to use.
“The updated guide primarily had cosmetic changes, so industry can remain confident in using the 2018 version of the guide as it remains compliant.”
Hay being transported on a drop deck. Image: Rafael Ben-Ari/stock.adobe.com.
Kmart breaks ground on new fulfilment centre site
Kmart Group has officially broken ground on a new 100,000-squaremetre site set for development at ESR’s Moorebank Intermodal Precinct.
The fulfilment centre will support the continued growth of both Kmart and Target by expanding distribution capacity.
Kmart Group expects the facility will transform its supply chain in New South Wales through a modern omnichannel fulfilment capability.
NSW is the home to over 100 Kmart and Target stores.
At 100,000 square metres, it will be one of the biggest sites ESR has ever developed.
The intermodal hub is situated less than 200 metres from where the warehouse will be once completed in 2027.
This will allow for the timely and efficient delivery of containers for unpacking and delivery to retail stores.
Kmart will be one of 12 tenants at Moorebank which is projected to deliver $11 billion in economic benefits over the 30 years following completion.
“As soon as someone like Kmart builds here it says there is confidence in somewhere like Moorebank,” said NSW Deputy Premier, Prue Car.
“It means this is going to be the centre of employment here in southwestern Sydney and job creation in western Sydney is the single biggest thing that we can do to reduce congestion and improve quality of life for all our local families and to really boost our local economies.”
Kmart and Target CEO, John Gualtieri, said the investment in the new Moorebank Omnichannel Fulfilment Centre will be an important part of the business’ long-term strategy to modernise its supply chain and simplify store operations.
“In just over two years time when we complete we’ll have a world class facility here at our doorstep,” he said.
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Road and Rail Excavations supports children’s charity
Sydney-based civil construction company, Road and Rail Excavations, is deploying a special truck to raise funds for not-for-profit Little Wings.
The not-for-profit organisation provides free support and services to families of children who require access to ongoing medical care across regional Australia, relying on public fundraising to continue aiding children and their families in need.
The tipper, which has been wrapped with Little Wings branding and features a ‘give now’ QR code for the public to donate, will be on the move throughout New South Wales.
This follows Road and Rail Excavation’s recent donation of a plane to Little Wings to lend support.
Little Wings CEO, Clare Pearson, said the branded unit will help finance the plane and serve as a moving symbol of hope and care.
“We hope it will encourage even more people to join us in our mission to support regional families in need,” she said.
“We could not be more thankful to the incredible support of Adrian [Ruane], the Managing Director of Road and Rail Excavations, not only for the new truck supporting Little Wings, but for his
unwavering commitment to our mission –putting children and communities first.”
Little Wings provides free support to families caring for a seriously ill child.
“This generous donation will significantly enhance our mission to offer reliable and compassionate flight services, ensuring
that families can access the medical care their children need,” Little Wings said in a statement.
“We are incredibly grateful for the contributions of our donors, whose generosity makes a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve.”
Pacific Highway ready to rumble
Hundreds of kilometres of Audio Tactile Line Marking (ATLM), known commonly as rumble strips, is being installed on the Pacific Highway.
Crews have begun working on two sections of the highway.
Section one covers 143 kilometres from Karuah to Frederickton, where 251 kilometres of ATLM will be installed along the dual carriageway.
Section two is from Collombatti to Maclean, where 294 kilometres of ATLM will be installed over 114 kilometres of the highway.
Transport for NSW Regional Director North, Anna Zycki, said ATLM helps to alert drivers if their vehicle starts to veer out of their lane, dramatically cutting the risk of head-on and run-off-road crashes.
“Audio tactile line-marking is a proven safety treatment that can reduce the number of crashes by 15 to 25 per cent, saving lives and preventing injuries on our roads,” she said.
“When ATLM is installed, if a vehicle leaves its lane for any reason such as fatigue, distraction or inattention, the rumble strips vibrate and make a noise that immediately alerts the driver to correct their path and avoid a serious accident.
“This means they are particularly effective at night or in bad weather.”
The rumble strips are installed down the centre and on the road edges of the highway in speed zones of 80km/h and above, except for townships and sections of road within 200 metres of homes.
“The Pacific Highway is one of the state’s most important and busiest roads, connecting towns and cities from Sydney to the Queensland border,” Zycki said.
“It is a key freight route, as well as catering to local and interstate traffic, so this work will deliver significant benefits to all road users.”
Crews will be working on three different sections of the highway from 6am to 6pm Monday to Saturdays. Some work may be carried out at night between 8pm and 4am.
Work to install the ATLM on the Pacific Highway, which is being delivered under the NSW Government’s Saving Lives Accelerated Program, is expected to be completed in November this year.
The vehicle donated by Little Wings. Image: Little Wings.
StarTrack employees endorse new Enterprise Agreement
StarTrack, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Australia Post Group, has secured a new Enterprise Agreement with StarTrack team members.
The agreement it announced acknowledges team members’ vital contribution while ensuring StarTrack can continue to compete in an intensely competitive parcels market.
The three-year agreement delivers a guaranteed four per cent per annum wage increase for the first two years and a three per cent wage increase and one per cent increase to superannuation in the final year.
Following extensive consultation with team members and unions, the vast majority (97 per cent) of those who voted were in favour of the agreement.
Australia Post Executive General Manager People and Culture, Sue Davies, said the wage offer supported people with market leading wage growth in
recognition of the work they do daily to deliver for customers and the community.
“Our priority was to create a sustainable, clear and fair Agreement that continues to support our people as they deliver for our customers,” she said.
“We wanted to put money in our hardworking team members’ pockets and this agreement provides certainty about their remuneration, with guaranteed pay rises for three years.”
The Enterprise Agreement will now be lodged with the Fair Work Commission for approval.
Victorian road upgraded to accommodate heavy vehicles
Swan Hill Rural City Council has announced the successful completion of the Tresco West Road widening and rehabilitation project in Victoria.
The project – which cost $567,000 and was completed under budget – has delivered valuable savings to the community and allowed for the implementation of other road projects.
Approximately 360 metres of road in the area were upgraded to accommodate heavy vehicles as well as general traffic, according to Swan Hill Rural City Council Director of Infrastructure, Leah Johnston.
“Intersecting roads were widened to support the safe movement of heavy vehicles, with the final surface finished
in durable asphalt and long-lasting line marking,” she said.
“A further 100 metres of widening and rehabilitation was completed along Cornish Avenue, east of the railway line.
line.”
Johnston also praised the diligence of staff who worked closely with contractors to ensure the project was completed as efficiently as possible.
“Given the proximity to the railway line, Council provided vital support to help contractors secure the necessary approvals,” she said.
“We’re pleased with the improved safety and access this upgraded road now provides for local traffic, including heavy vehicles.”
A StarTrack truck takes in the Pacific Ocean. Image: Australia Post.
State Budget to boost freight efficiency in WA
The
Kwinana Freeway,
which carries up to 15,000 heavy freight vehicles a day, will be the focus of congestion-busting upgrades over the next two years.
Western Australia’s Kwinana Freeway is set to be widened, doubling capacity for specific sections, which is expected to improve freight efficiency and ease traffic flow.
A total of $485.5 million has been allocated to deliver upgrades on four key roads in Perth’s southern suburbs.
These projects, committed to by the WA Government at the 2025 election, include $460 million to widen the Kwinana Freeway between the Roe Highway and Mortimer Road – addressing one of the worst congestion points on the freeway network.
The State and Federal Government will each commit $350 million towards the $700 million Kwinana Freeway project.
The Kwinana Freeway (between Russell Road and Mortimer Road) carries up to 100,000 vehicles per day, with up to 15 per cent of those being heavy freight vehicles.
The investment will add around 50 per cent capacity to the upgraded sections of the Kwinana Freeway where congestion has been reducing the efficient movement of freight as well as creating frustration for motorists.
“Like so many Western Australians who live south of the Swan River, I understand how frustrating it is to be stuck in congestion along Kwinana Freeway,” said WA Premier, Roger Cook.
“Given our State’s booming economy and our growing population, we know this will continue to be an issue unless our government gets on with the job of fixing it.
“That’s why my government made a commitment during the election to make driving along the Kwinana Freeway easier – and I’m proud to say we’re getting on with the job of delivering that commitment as part of our Budget.”
Works to widen the Kwinana Freeway are expected to start in 2026/27. The upgrades will include:
• an additional lane in both directions between Russell Road and Mortimer Road, taking the section of freeway from two lanes to three;
• an additional lane southbound between Roe Highway and Berrigan Drive taking the section of freeway from four lanes to five;
• an additional lane northbound from Russell Road to Beeliar Drive taking the
section of freeway from three lanes to four; and
• addition of co-ordinated ramp signals between Safety Bay Road and Roe Highway to improve flow of traffic on the freeway.
“These upgrades will do more than just ensure everyone in Perth’s south can easily use the roads they rely on to get to work or school,” Cook said.
“They will also support development of the Western Trade Coast – helping to diversify Western Australia’s nation-leading economy and secure my government’s vision for a future that is made in WA.”
Other key election commitments being funded to be delivered under the State Budget include:
• $17 million to build roundabouts at the intersections of Kargotich Road with Abernethy Road, Orton Road and Gossage Road, supporting the growth of Byford and Mundijong (project to be delivered by the Shire of SerpentineJarrahdale);
• $7 million to deliver upgrades to the Baldivis Road and Kulija Road intersection including new traffic signals and an additional westbound through lane on
Kwinana Freeway.
Kulija Road to avoid queues back to the freeway interchange in the morning peak periods (project to be delivered by the City of Rockingham); and • a $1.5 million contribution towards the upgrade of the intersection of Nicholson Road and Warton Road (to be delivered by the City of Gosnells).
WA Transport Minister, Rita Saffioti, said the Government is focused on supporting the transport industry with these developments.
“As part of our commitment to the people of Western Australia, we’re getting on with the job of delivering these projects that will bust congestion and improve the productivity of our freight network,” she said.
“Anyone that drives on the Kwinana Freeway knows how frustrating this congestion hot spot is, and the drain it has on our economy through lost productivity.
“Aside from reducing congestion and improving safety, these upgrades will create jobs and help boost the economy through the creation of improved freight efficiencies.”
The new projects come on top of a number of significant ones already being delivered and planned for delivery in
AUSTRALIAN CONSUMER CONFIDENCE
GDP growth rate March 2025
Perth’s south including the Tonkin Highway Extension and Thomas Road upgrades.
These projects are expected to support the rapidly growing suburbs of Byford, Oakford and Cardup.
Federal Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Catherine King, welcomed the latest Kwinana Freeway investment.
She claimed the contribution will be an “important project for the state”.
“Not only will it improve travel for the 100,000 journeys that take place on the Kwinana Freeway each day, but it will be a critical investment that supports future trade growth in Western Australia,” King said.
“This is another example of the Federal and State Labor Governments partnering to deliver critical infrastructure that meet the challenges of today while planning for the opportunities of tomorrow.”
An acquired taste
Carrier Transicold’s Vector eCool transport refrigeration system, a forerunner of sustainability in Australia’s commercial transport space, is now being further bolstered by an international company acquisition.
Carrier Transicold is highly focused on the transport industry’s movement towards more sustainable practices. As OEMs and transporters have increasingly looked to minimise their reliance on diesel engines and their resulting carbon emissions, the refrigerated technology manufacturer has, for many years, worked to supply them with strong commercially viable solutions.
Carrier advanced the market for sustainable solutions with the development of its E-Drive system for which it pioneered an all-electric refrigeration system which had no mechanical connection to the diesel engine. For many years, this product delivered benefits in refrigeration efficiency and laid the foundation for Carrier’s latest contribution to the industry’s sustainability effort – the Vector eCool trailer refrigeration system.
Vector eCool is an innovative build which completely removed the need for a diesel engine on a refrigerated semi-trailer. It combines Carrier’s tried and true E-Drive technology with a new cutting-edge energy recovery and storage system which makes it suitable for operations
with the engineless versions of the manufacturer’s Vector HE 19, Vector HE 19 MT and Vector 1550.
The Vector eCool system is a sustainable solution that ticks all of the boxes of electrification and decarbonisation that produces no direct engine polluting emissions. Its power pack converts kinetic energy generated by one of the trailer’s axles into electricity which is stored in a Li FE PO4 battery pack for later use by the
refrigeration unit. According to Carrier, it’s also the world’s first fully autonomous, all-electric engineless refrigerated trailer system.
Carrier Transicold Australia Director of Product and Aftermarket Solutions, Kelly Geddes, says the Vector eCool product ultimately reaffirms the OEM’s commitment to reducing emissions, improving sustainability and increasing efficiency across the refrigerated transport sector.
Carrier Transicold’s Vector eCool on a refrigerated trailer.
The Lithium Iron Phosphate (Li FE PO4) battery pack is tidily tucked away beneath the chassis.
“We believe the Vector eCool represents the future of refrigerated trailer technology,” he says. “It remains one of the most exciting products we have ever developed. It is the result of years of research.”
In battery-only mode, Vector eCool may be capable of running up to six hours fully autonomous depending on the application and operating conditions. Carrier’s energy management power electronics automatically control the power generation of the axle generator when the trailer is moving to ensure optimal state of charge of the power pack and fridge operation.
The eCool system can also be plugged into the standard electrical grid when the trailer is parked. Carrier claims this, in addition to powering the fridge, can fully charge the batteries in two hours.
When travelling, the 23kWh power pack is recharged by a generator driven by the e-axle, producing a maximum continuous output of 19kW. When compared to conventional diesel-powered counterparts, the complete Vector eCool system is no heavier than a fridge, fuel tank and fuel. An added benefit of Vector eCool
Carrier Transicold ANZ Managing Director, Stephen Elford, with Addvolt co-founder, Rodrigo Pires, at the 2025 Brisbane Truck Show.
comes from the substantial reduction in operating noise levels. The system complies with European PIEK standards – a leading international training and certification institute for the electronics manufacturing industry – which means that eCool versions of the Vector HE 19 and Vector 1550 can operate at a noise level below 60dB(A). This level is equivalent to normal conversation or background music. Combined with its low-emissions performance, the Vector eCool provides an effective solution to ever-tightening inner-city and urban noise abatement regulations as a result.
Additionally, the Vector eCool system is equipped with the Carrier Lynx Fleet telematics system which seamlessly provides information around the power level of the battery (remaining running time) to the customer. This remote visibility into the battery state of charge and operating mode can help customers, including fleet operators, better manage battery utilisation.
Now, the Vector eCool’s important role in Australia’s refrigerated transport industry has been enhanced by Carrier’s relationship with Addvolt, a Portuguese-based electronics company with a sustainability-oriented mission. Addvolt first became involved with the development of the Vector eCool platform in 2020 when the innovative power pack launched. This collaboration has since been extended following the business’ acquisition by Carrier Transicold’s parent company, Carrier Global.
The acquisition, which took place in May, was the culmination of an already strong relationship between the two companies. Carrier Global had initially invested in Addvolt through its venture capital arm, Carrier Ventures, in 2022, and the two have remained keen collaborators with development of Vector eCool since. Although initiated at a global scale, the acquisition is extremely relevant to the local refrigerated transport industry and its push for sustainability. The combined efforts of Carrier and Addvolt have already resulted in the delivery of greater technical support and expertise for products like the Vector eCool.
During May, Addvolt Global Aftersales Support Manager, Luis Pires, facilitated a number of advanced technical training workshops for Carrier Transicold Australia technicians at the world-class Carrier workshop in Sydney. According to Kelly,
the education and training of these technicians is critical for the support of high-technology products like those from Addvolt and Carrier’s Vector eCool.
“Firstly, because Australia is so far away from the factory, we must have the ability to provide high-level technical support locally” he explains. “Secondly, the advanced technology and complete system integration between the e-axle, the battery, the power controls and the electric refrigeration unit means that untrained workers do not have the certifications, knowledge, or specialised equipment to work on these systems.”
Addvolt certified Carrier technicians are located in Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide and Perth along with Auckland and Christchurch in New Zealand.
Carrier in Australia has wasted no time in making the Addvolt acquisition and its benefits public. Addvolt co-founder, Rodrigo Pires, travelled to attend this year’s Brisbane Truck Show to speak with existing and prospective Carrier customers about the newly combined forces and next steps.
Another Addvolt co-founder and CEO, Bruno Azevedo, says he is excited to see what progress the two companies will be able to make in the space by combining their abilities and cumulative brainpower.
“We are thrilled to join forces with a global industry leader, marking an exciting new chapter for Addvolt to push the boundaries of our technological innovations,” he says. “We are proud of what we have built and are confident that, together with Carrier, we will further advance in our mission to advance electrification.”
On a more domestic level, Kelly says the Addvolt acquisition will not only support Carrier’s existing electrification efforts in Australia – it will also pave the way for new ground to be broken as the refrigerated transport industry continues on the road to sustainability.
“Addvolt and Carrier have other products that accelerate the journey towards electrification of the cold-chain and overall sustainability,” he says. “Putting together the might of Carrier along with innovative capabilities of Addvolt will mean exciting things for our industry’s future.”
Contact
Carrier Transicold
Ph: 1800 448 166
Web: www.transicold.carrier.com.au
Image: Carrier Transicold.
Concrete evidence
Westkon Precast’s material building capabilities have supported Australian infrastructure for decades – a feat which has most recently been strengthened by a trailer delivery from Krueger.
Precasting concrete is a common process found in modern-day construction, critical to a plethora of builds around the country and reliant on efficient transport to be successfully completed. As its name suggests, precasting involves casting and curing concrete into a specific mould or form before it is transported into a construction site and installed.
Within this world of casting, curing and carting concrete to designated construction spaces, Westkon Precast has made an impressive name for itself within the near five decades that it has contributed to Australia’s construction industry. Since 1987, the concrete contractor – a family business operating out of Cobblebank, Victoria – has been producing structural precast components and detailed architectural products for some of Australia’s largest and most prominent landmarks. These have included materials for buildings, sporting stadiums and road developments.
Though coming from humble family beginnings, Westkon Precast’s current capabilities extend to an encompassing range of builds according to Westkon Precast Business Operations Manager, Camille Zeiback.
“We offer a complete solution to our
customers in the civil, commercial, residential development and general construction industry,” he says.
“Remaining a family-owned and managed business since our founding, Westkon is proud to offer the latest in prefabrication techniques and solutions of exceptional quality and finish.”
Throughout Westkon Precast’s growth and success in the industry, its capabilities and appetite for projects have been strengthened by its relationships with companies that have filled other roles in its production chain. A preeminent example of this is Westkon Precast’s relationship with Krueger which has supplied the fleet with trailers that have been critical to moving its precast concrete to building sites.
“Westkon has relied on Krueger’s expertise in the past and has always been satisfied with the outcome,” Camille says.
Already sporting 12 Krueger trailers in its fleet, made up of 11 drop decks and one flat top, Westkon Precast has again looked to bolster its construction capabilities with another delivery. Its latest order included 15 custom builds consisting of 10 45’ flat tops and five drop decks.
These trailers, produced for the sole
purpose of delivering concrete in a safe and efficient manner, have all been ordered with a range of specifications to achieve the task. These features include the addition of custom pockets to fit Westkon Precast’s unique fall prevention system, side underruns and rated headboards and blind spot warnings and reverse squawker alarms. Additionally, the drop decks have been customised to make use of container pins when securing Westkon Precast’s range of precast transport frames.
Each trailer has a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of 38 tonnes with a payload figure of up to 24 tonnes as standard. When coupled to Mercedes Benz Actros 2653 prime movers, the units boast Gross Combination Masses (GCM) of 42.5 tonnes. Camille said the critical nature of choosing the aforementioned specifications was to be able to transport precast concrete around Victoria as productively as possible.
“All of these considerations and planned specifications have resulted in a fleet of trailers that allow us to achieve our goals efficiently, safely and consistently,” he says. “Although Westkon services projects all over Australia, Victoria is where the company does the bulk of its
Images: Krueger.
One of Westkon Precast’s new flat tops.
work. It would come as no surprise to see our product being delivered through the CBD, up into the hills of Mount Hotham or down the coast to Geelong all in the same day.”
Camille and the Westkon Precast team were significantly impressed with the quality of Krueger’s manufacturing upon the delivery of the new units.
“The standardised manufacturing at Krueger means we can be confident and reliable in our ability to deliver Precast,” Camille says. “The trailers allow us to exceed industry standards in safety, load restraint and delivery.”
Krueger National Sales Manager, George Athanasi, expressed the importance of manufacturing trailers that are best suited for the task of moving Westkon Precast’s materials. According to him, the transporter’s role of a recurring collaborator has made Krueger’s trailer production process much more efficient each time.
“By combining our standard engineering specifications with Westkon’s detailed brief, we’ve been able to develop assets that are uniquely designed for their operations,” he says. “Transporting precast concrete is no small task. It’s heavy, and in many ways, you must be somewhat delicate or secure when it comes to transporting it.
“The concrete plays a critical role as structural support in construction. That’s
why Krueger’s careful planning and engineered modifications are essential – because they ensure each asset is perfectly suited for the requirements.”
Transport Equipment Ph: 03 8331 6100 Web: www.krueger.com.au
The trailers feature custom pockets, side underruns and rated headboards, and blind spot warnings and reverse squawker alarms.
L-R: Westkon Precast Logistics Coordinator, Jaycob Doyle, Krueger National Sales Manager, George Athanasi, and Westkon Precast Business Operations Manager, Camille Zeiback.
Wheel deal
Queensland transport company, Townsville
Mini Loads, has been getting the most out of using Haulmark Trailers’ new live bottom trailer model in a road
train application.
For the Shaw family’s Townsville Mini Loads, it was a case of seeking out the best solution from a trusted name. Going with a renowned brand is a necessity for this Townsville haulier that prides itself on its motto of ‘no project is too big or small’, and that is now firmly established as a market leading outfit.
Starting out in the 1970s as a local sand and soil delivery business, Townsville Mini Loads has grown to be well known throughout north Queensland as a reputable transporter of large and small quantities of landscaping supplies, quarry supplies and bitumen.
“My grandfather had a sand and soil business in Townsville and then Dad got into truck hire and transporting earth moving equipment as a contractor,” says Townsville Mini Loads Transport and Admin Manager, Mark Shaw. “We purchased this business in 2004 when my grandfather retired and merged all the operations together.
“We now do landscaping supplies, truck hire, contracting, bitumen quarry work and general public deliveries for the landscaping industry.”
Townsville Mini Loads has since grown a solid reputation for its truck hire
operations. But the need to innovate arose when the company was hit with a costly mishap.
“We had end tippers and we had one fall over,” Mark says. “We then saw the live bottom trailers around and thought we should give them a go.”
The company’s primary concern with looking at a new trailer was safety. So, it made perfect sense to approach a name with a proven track record of safety and precision-built products. The answer was Haulmark Trailers, a national trailer manufacturer that had been going strong since 1963, which was renowned for making heavy-duty transport equipment designed for big loads, such as road trains.
After a discussion with Haulmark Trailers’ Townsville Branch Manager and the offer of an extensive demonstration, Mark and his team were convinced that the OEM’s live bottom was the answer to their need for a new trailer.
“We found that the demo was quite user-friendly, and it had all the features,” Mark says. “It was good to try before we bought it.
“We felt happy to get the understanding of what Haulmark’s trailer was like and to give them feedback on it.”
After a thorough two-week trial of the model, for Townsville Mini Loads, the benefits of a live bottom trailer stood out.
“We ended up buying one,” Mark says. “Safety was the biggest thing. We knew it wasn’t going to fall over and that it wouldn’t hit power lines.
“Live bottom trailers are in high demand and they also allow you to tip in places that you wouldn’t necessarily be able to tip or unload in a normal, conventional tipper.”
Townsville Mini Loads has been highly satisfied with the result of its Haulmark Trailers live bottom trailer which, since its deployment, has been operating in a road train combination with an end tipper behind it.
“We decided to go with the Haulmark branded trailer because we liked their design,” Mark says. “It’s a little bit stronger as well.
“It’s operating with an end tipper behind it at the moment, but it can run with our other moving floor trailer as well to give us maximum payloads.”
The Haulmark Trailers base model which Mark and his family opted for is made up of a Gincor Werx Hardox 450 steel plate body with fully insulated walls. It also features a two-ply conveyor belt system
Townsville Mini Loads’ Haulmark live bottom in a road train application.
Images: Townsville Mini Loads.
which can empty products with ease and Haulmark Trailers running gear and componentry. It is the same trailer model that Haulmark Trailers launched at the 2025 Brisbane Truck Show.
Mark can see the appeal to a wider audience for this innovative trailer model.
“Everyone likes to see what they look like and how they operate,” he says. “A couple of the people we work with have said it looks quite good, and they were quite interested.
“If someone’s never seen a moving floor before, they want the driver to show them what it looks like and how it works. Everyone’s always interested because it’s a new thing.”
Townsville Mini Loads now proudly operates its bespoke version of the live bottom trailer – a general moving floor trailer featuring a weatherproof and remote tarp among other features.
“It has a ladder on the side which is a good feature if you do need to climb up in the bin,” Mark says. “We also like the shape of the bin as it allows for less hang up on the sides because it’s more tapered.”
Then there is the renowned insulation and temperature control configured into this model. This is due to the fully insulated body which is designed to keep asphalt, bitumen and other products heated in transport.
“The insulation and insulated panels are very good for when we’re doing asphalt,” Mark says. “They keep the product very hot for about eight hours.”
The current configuration of Townsville Mini Loads’ Haulmark trailer is as a road train with a Gross Combination Mass (GCM) of 81 tonnes, resulting in a payload of 52 tonnes. When using it as a single trailer, the fleet is able to get an impressive 26-tonne payload out of it.
Mark and his drivers are happy to discover the performance benefits of the live bottom trailer system.
“It’s terrific and there have been no dramas,” he says. “It’s just ‘turn the key’ and off you go.”
Simplicity, effectiveness and reliability are definitely the keys to success with the new unit, given the routes and kilometres it travels throughout Queensland.
“It does asphalt work between Townsville and Cairns and work between Townsville and Mackay,” Mark explains. “We carry hot mix to feed pavers for Boral, Fulton Hogan and RPQ, and we also
do general quarry work, so it does a far variety of things.”
With such glowing reviews, the team at Townsville Mini Loads are well on their way to becoming diehard supporters of this new line of Haulmark trailers.
“They’re slightly lighter than the others, and you can unload them wherever, which is great,” Mark says. “If a tipper falls over, you can lose up to $100,000 before it comes back on the road. I’ve been down that road before and there’s a lot of downtime.
“With the live bottom model, you don’t
have that issue because they don’t actually tip up in the air.”
With Haulmark Trailers maintaining branches and service centres in Townsville, as well as Darwin and Adelaide, Mark is happy knowing his new purchase will be well-maintained for the company’s further expansion throughout Far North Queensland.
Contact Haulmark Trailers
Ph: 07 3277 3666
Web: www.haulmark.com.au
The trailer being picked up from Haulmark Trailers’ Townsville branch.
A sense for safety
Withcott Seedlings has ensured the safety and security of its fleet by fitting JOST’s Loc-Light sensors across its units.
Withcott Seedlings has always been a diligent business. This diligence is present across all facets of the company’s operations which, for the past 42 years, have been dedicated to the production and distribution of various seedling types.
Withcott Seedlings was established in the Queensland suburb of Withcott in 1983 by Graham and Wendy Erhart as a small depot for vegetable seedlings. The business originally revolved around a steadfast commitment to environmental sustainability and ethical practice, and as demand grew, it expanded to oversee the production of fruit seedlings and eventually tree seedlings.
Parallel to the business’ diligence towards environmentally conscious production is an emphasis on the safety of its distribution efforts – for the seedlings as well as the 300-plus staff members who transport them. This has been greatly assisted by JOST, and its more specifically, its Loc-Light sensor product.
Withcott Seedlings has long been engaged with JOST. The business has been using its fifth wheels for the last four years and has recently increased the range of products it uses after Withcott Seedlings CEO, Jeremy Callachor, sat down with his team to review the company’s safety protocols some eight months ago.
“We were discussing ways to mitigate potential hazards with our teams during seedling transport,” he says. “We talked about how critical it is to lock your kingpin when operating with trailers, and how a failed coupling obviously turns into a major hazard on the road for all motorists.
“We worked with our driver teams to assess the risk of that occurrence and started looking at different technologies and providers that would help us to prevent this. It wasn’t long before we came to JOST for this assistance.”
JOST’s Loc-Light sensor operates as a light system designed to complement the JSK Sensor Fifth Wheel range. Built with a dual sensor monitoring setup and LED illumination, Loc-Light indicates the status of a fifth wheel coupling through a combination of visual and audible alerts.
The system, while innovative, is also very
straightforward to use and understand. This makes it very accessible for different types of transport fleets.
Visual alerts are provided via the LED light which will flash different colours depending on the status of the coupling process. A successful coupling will result in a green ‘Go’ light, while an unsuccessful one will activate a red ‘No-Go’ light and an audible alert sound.
The safety and efficiency benefits of JOST’s Loc-Light sensor are already being gained in Withcott Seedlings’ operations.
The fleet, as it stands, is in the middle of rolling the sensor out on all of 10 its prime movers and 20 trailers over a ninemonth period at its facility in Postmans Ridge, Queensland.
“We’re already seeing the advantages of utilising the JOST Loc-Light product
JOST Loc-Light on a JOST fifth wheel.
for our transport safety and efficiency,” Jeremy says. “The system communicates the state of the truck and trailer coupling without the driver needing to get out and crawl around under the vehicle to investigate for themselves – a process which can make the driver unnecessarily vulnerable to risk.
“Meanwhile, the implementation of the Loc-Light sensor also saves great time for our operations. All drivers need to do is look for the green light which tells them if the coupling is locked. The inspection process has suddenly become much quicker, delivering great efficiency for us.”
The application of JOST’s Loc-Light sensors are also contributing to a more positive working atmosphere for Withcott Seedlings’ operators. Jeremy says his drivers have a much greater peace of mind when transporting freight due to their confidence that the couplings are
being closely monitored. This peace of mind is paramount when considering the amount of seedlings being transported and the distances they travel.
“We move 400 million seedlings per year to the entire eastern half of Australia,” Jeremy says. “We have the capacity to distribute from the Port of Darwin through central and southeast Queensland, northern New South Wales, down to Victoria and back around to Adelaide. Those are long drives to be thinking about the correct coupling of the truck and trailer.
“The feedback we’ve received from our logistics and driver team have been overwhelmingly positive. When they drive with the JOST Loc-Light sensor attached, they no longer need to worry about the truck and trailer coupling. This allows them to dedicate more of their focus on driving safely.”
Withcott Seedlings’ positive experience
with JOST’s Loc-Light sensor has been further bolstered by the product and aftersales support from JOST’s sales and engineering team – particularly by JOST Area Sales Manager, Jason Green, who communicated with Withcott Seedlings through the entire product purchase.
“Jason and his team were with us every step of the way to get the Loc-Light sensors,” Jeremy says. “They showed great care and attention to detail and were the reason why our adoption of the product was so smooth.
“The sensors efficiency and safety benefits are great assets to our company. With them, ensuring safety among our fleet is effectively fool proof.”
Contact
JOST Australia
Ph: 1800 811 487
Web: www.jostaustralia.com.au
E: sales@jostaustralia.com.au
Images: Withcott Seedlings.
A Withcott Seedlings semi-trailer fitted with a JOST fifth wheel and Loc-Light.
The force awakens
The combined force of The Drake Group and Fuwa K Hitch results in ultimate durability and versatility on all O’Phee Trailer builds.
O’Phee Trailers has long been a fundamental part of Australia’s heavy vehicle manufacturing industry. The business entered the sector in the 1980s and has since developed a complete range of trailer builds from standard skel, flat top and drop deck products to unique innovations such as the Swinglift, BoXLoader and Retract-X solutions.
The O’Phee trailer range has continued to evolve over time and has been brought to even greater heights by The Drake Group following its acquisition of the business in 2015. Just two months ago at the 2025 Brisbane Truck Show, for example, a revamped O’Phee Queenslander flat top was unveiled with many improvements and additional features.
“We were building flat tops that were spec’d with lots of options, so we decided to take that on board and put together an updated model with all of the features people were asking for,” says The Drake Group Sales Manager, Byron Foss. “The end result is the Queenslander, a flat top which has maximum versatility while still retaining a low tare weight.”
The aforementioned extra features include 5” coamings, eight bolster pockets,
a fixed headboard, dunnage boxes, various guard options, round or square rear bumper tail lights, 3mm or 5mm chequer plate floor and custom paint options.
The Queenslander also includes a unique rear bumper design which gives the trailer much more swing clearance when coupled to road rain dollies. This feature also helps eliminate bent drawbars which can compromise the strength and handling of the combination. In terms of running gear, Fuwa K Hitch’s KI25K integrated axle and suspension package was selected due to its ease of fitment, excellent warranty offering and versatility to suit all applications.
Fuwa K Hitch axles, suspensions and landing legs have become an integral part of The Drake Group’s offering over the last five years. Due to their excellent performance and durability, the products have been the standard spec not just on the Queenslander but on all O’Phee builds.
“A lot of people were wanting Fuwa K Hitch equipment as their preferred spec,” Byron says. “They weren’t asking for it because it was cheap. They were asking for it because it performed. So, we looked into the product a bit further and decided to use
it as our standard offering on all trailers in the O’Phee range.
“We do fit most recognised axle and suspension brands, but you need to have a good standard starting spec. And Fuwa K Hitch offers just that – a good, reliable axle and suspension package.”
The Drake Group routinely fits Fuwa K Hitch’s KI25K integrated suspension trailing arm and axle beam configuration as well as WEWELER air suspension from the Euro Series on O’Phee Drop Deck, Skel and Flat Top models. On the other hand, O’Phee Drop Deck Wideners and units that are deployed in harsh operating conditions receive the sturdier 11-tonne-rated WEWELER air suspension from the Heavy Duty Series.
Byron explains that this selection gives the business and the end user great versatility.
“We have a lot of customers in metropolitan areas that are conscious of having a really light tare weight,” he says. “Fuwa K Hitch offers products which give them a light tare weight but they also offer a more heavy-duty range for off-road applications and those carting equipment with a high centre of gravity.”
O’Phee Queenslander built for Heavy Haulage Assets.
Images: The Drake Group.
The Drake Group has also been able to improve fitment processes, on-road performance and lead delivery times of its trailers. Some of its biggest trailer orders as of late act as clear examples of this.
“They’re fairly local to us which is really handy,” Byron says. “They’ll be on our doorstep within half an hour if we need anything. That’s just fantastic service.
“They’re good people to deal with. They’ll help me if I’ve got a problem and they’ll be straight on it. You can’t ask for more than that.”
The quality of Fuwa K Hitch is something that has really stood out to The Drake Group in recent times. This has especially been the case for Byron and Sam Drake following their visit to Fuwa K Hitch in China last year.
“It blew my mind,” Byron says. “We went to their axle manufacturing factory as well as their foundries and container manufacturing facility, and the sheer size of everything was just incredible. We were very impressed with their quality processes and technology.
“The robotics that they’ve invested in are unbelievable. We could see the extent of their quality practices just by walking down the axle assembly line.
“We now have a lot more confidence in the Fuwa K Hitch product, and our use of it has increased as a result.”
Contact
Fuwa K Hitch
Ph: 03 9369 0000
Web: www.khitch.com.au
Fuwa K Hitch 19.5” axles.
Fuwa K Hitch’s 11-tonne-rated WEWELER air suspension from the Heavy Duty Series.
Smooth operator
BPW Transpec axles and suspensions have always been crucial to Freightlinx’s smooth and durable transport journeys.
The rugged and rocky landscape of regional New South Wales can prove to be challenging terrain for the many vehicles that seek to traverse it. But Freightlinx has always had an answer to this problem – BPW Transpec components.
In the 21 years since Freightlinx established as a transporter of Full Container Load (FCL) shipping, BPW Transpec axles and suspension systems have been vital to the fleet and its strong reputation of providing punctual logistical services. This punctuality has been key to the logistics provider’s identity throughout the various phases of its evolution – from its first office space inside a truck cab to its custom-built headquarters in Tuggerah, NSW.
This emphasis has been personally seen to by Freightlinx founder and Managing Director, Adam Hale.
“I’ve put a very high priority on timely deliveries and ensuring safety ever since I started the business,” he says. “This has
been the goal to achieve at every stage for our clients.”
Freightlinx has particularly invested in BPW Transpec’s drum brake axles, along with its air suspension systems, since 2004. These components contain many features which contribute to durable transport for its fleet.
BPW Transpec drum brake axles, for example, include a compact design which allows for versatile fitting, quick brake service, suitability to Electronic Braking Systems (EBS) and a lower operating and spare parts cost. The drum brake axle has also been designed with an effective camshaft bush to reduce friction, as well as anti-skid brakes and automatic slack adjusters.
On the other hand, BPW Transpec’s air suspensions are easy to install and service. They include flexible trailing arms which result in strong wheel control and reduced stress on the trailer chassis.
Adam was initially encouraged to try these products out when buying his first
sideloader in 2004, a critical vehicle for his FCL shipping operations.
“Hammar recommended BPW Transpec for its axles to me when I first started out,” he recalls. “It turned out to be a very good thing that they did.
“Our first sideloaders had BPW Transpec drum brake axles fitted onto them and I was extremely impressed.”
Now, 10 sideloaders later, Adam is still relying on those exact components.
“My sideloaders have all been fitted with BPW Transpec drum brake axles and suspension systems,” he says. “They work great for safely transferring shipping containers from vessels at Port Botany directly onto the ground. And from there, it’s much safer for us to unload the freight and begin moving it on the road for our clients.”
According to Adam, BPW Transpec’s drum brake axles were specifically prescribed for the sideloaders because of the durability benefits they offer.
“These sideloaders are the backbone of our business,” he says. “We’ve
A Freightlinx Hammar sideloader.
Images: Freightlinx.
been continuing to run BPW Transpec equipment on them because we know they will protect our units. If the gear doesn’t break down, we do our jobs right and on time.”
This quality results in better handling for Freightlinx’s sideloaders which operate through a variety of road conditions at different times. But as Adam explains, the drum brake axles and air suspensions also make the trips safer and easier.
“My operators all think the BPW Transpec axles handle well and tow well,” he says. “This good towing is really felt in the lack of rolling resistance and minimal fuel usage.
“The axles are incredibly durable, too. Our sideloaders are very hard-wearing compared to regular trailers. We cover every bit of terrain around the state, and the last thing you’d want to experience in an isolated and inaccessible area is
a breakdown. But with these axles, we don’t need to worry about that.”
Due to the proven abilities of both the drum brake axles and the air suspension systems, the BPW Transpec components have been specified onto Freightlinx’s new Performance-Based Standards (PBS) quad-axle sideloader.
“In accordance with PBS regulations, this new quad will allow us to carry higher payloads on the road,” Adam says. “Historically we could only cart a 22-tonne container, but we’ll be able to carry 30-tonne containers on this quad. This will make a massive difference for our deliveries.”
Like all instalments, these BPW Transpec components will be supported by Freightlinx’s own inhouse maintenance services. In Adam’s experience, the high quality of the BPW Transpec componentry has
made maintenance on Freightlinx’s part minimal.
“We’ve had very little need to require spare parts or even visits from BPW’s team,” he says. “That’s a testament to how well BPW Transpec makes the parts that it sells.”
Freightlinx’s fleet, despite travelling throughout many harsh landscapes, continues to perform with BPW Transpec axles and suspensions.
“The peace of mind we get from driving with the right of equipment makes all the difference,” Adam says. “We’ve never needed additional help from BPW Transpec because their axles and parts just perform.”
Contact
BPW Transpec
Ph: 03 9267 2444
Web: www.bpwtranspec.com.au
BPW Transpec axles and suspensions.
On the market
Knorr-Bremse’s tenured position in global transport manufacturing has equipped it with a unique perspective on market conditions both in Australia and around the world.
Knorr-Bremse has long been a market leader in the world of transport manufacturing for over a century. From its beginnings in Berlin, Germany –where founder, Georg Knorr, channelled his engineering expertise into his own enterprise designing train air brakes to its modern age of international operations in 30 countries which employ over 33,000 people – the company has accumulated a wealth of knowledge and accomplishments in the sector.
For some people, this wide-ranging history of efforts has been particularly spotlighted in light of Knorr-Bremse’s 120-year anniversary this year, a milestone reached by very few. KnorrBremse Global Head of Aftermarket for Commercial Vehicle Systems, Alexander Wagner, is one of these people.
“The 120-year anniversary is a time
to reflect on what our achievements have been,” he says. “Part of celebrating this milestone is looking back at where Knorr-Bremse started and where it’s been going over these many years – from its beginning through to a time of uncertainty and takeover, to significantly expanding regional penetration outside of Europe.”
These myriads of industry experiences have equipped Knorr-Bremse with insights into different markets and their inner workings, and the Australian truck and trailer market is no exception.
Safety is a key theme of Knorr-Bremse’s observations, and the team has noticed something of a correlation between the specific safety designs of units on the road and their age.
According to Knorr-Bremse Australia General Manager, Gareth Lawless, this correlation has been made specifically
clear. He explains that Australia’s truck and trailer market has been modernising their units and following a sustained effort to increase both productivity and output.
“In recent times, particularly with the push in Covid-19 to get more units on the road, we’ve been seeing this great modernisation of our vehicle park,” he says. “But we must not forget that the majority of the vehicles on the road do not have safety systems applied to them because of this. There’s no rules other than Performance-Based Standards (PBS) to have retrospectively fitted safety systems or better control signal systems from truck to trailer.”
Alexander has observed this in various markets around the world. In his view, he can partially attribute it to the rise in total cost of ownership (TCO) due to economic stress.
Images:
Knorr-Bremse.
Knorr-Bremse’s booth at the 2025 Brisbane Truck Show.
“There’s a lot of pressure on pricing and general TCO for fleets in many markets,” he says. “Because of this, it may not always be of financial interest for some fleets to invest in and optimise safety.
“I think it’s really important to acknowledge that costs are rising everywhere. Margins are tight in the transport industry, so everyone has to look for increases in efficiency somewhere.”
In addition to this overall discussion of safety’s role in truck and trailer markets, the observations made by KnorrBremse personnel also address labour in Australia’s road transport sector –something which has infamously been an increasing issue.
“A global trend that we’ve seen is the issue of finding drivers and those willing to work in workshops, learn new technologies and join the industry in general,” Alexander says. “Limitations to the workforce are occurring everywhere.”
Because of this, Knorr-Bremse’s observations have specifically been drawn to the methods used by fleet operators and logistics providers to attract young and diverse drivers. These techniques ostensibly seem to be bringing a new type of focus and diligence to the industry.
“I heard some fleet owners at the Trucking Australia conference talk about the effective specification of their vehicles
to cater for young people entering our industry,” Gareth says. “We know that there’s a huge issue in this country with facilities, but I found it very enlightening to hear some of the fleet managers talking about specification of the vehicle to make sure that they accommodate female drivers, and the ability to provide them with a comfortable working environment.
“I think it’s a very good sign when the industry starts to look at how they’re specifying vehicles. Yes, for TCO and fuel efficiency, but also for attracting drivers into their operations.”
Knorr-Bremse has also identified a range of future opportunities within the Australian market, most notably through the release of new product ranges. This will particularly be prevalent in the planned launch of a remanufactured product line.
“We are looking at launching the remanufactured EconX product range here in Australia,” Gareth says. “It’s just a matter of time. I think we have the ability to provide a better range of products and solutions for the market, so we’re going to be very focused on making sure that we can fill the demand that we have for our products.”
This release coincides with another opportunity for Knorr-Bremse to design
its products to be compatible with the increasing number of fleets which are trying to operate sustainably.
“Many fleets now have sustainability KPIs, and they take it very seriously,” Gareth says. “It’s important for companies like ours to ensure that these fleets have products that they can access in a way that fits their strategy around sustainability.”
Knorr-Bremse’s unique insights into both the Australian and international truck and trailer markets have provided the manufacturer with a variety of valuable information about its customers and their demand. Keeping Australia’s specific market conditions in mind, the company is constantly developing a business strategy to most efficiently serve local fleet operators and continue to lead the space as a result.
“From a localised perspective, I think it’s very important that we strategically position ourselves as the market leader and the trusted partner for all stakeholders,” Gareth says. “We strongly believe that when our industry sees the value of what we’re looking to achieve, the products will speak for themselves.”
Knorr-Bremse global aftermarket team visits the business’ service partner workshop in Australia.
NBTA 2025 Bulk Tanker Day covers industry trends and issues
The National Bulk Tanker Association’s 2025 Bulk Tanker Day featured an array of insight and presentations on different topics within the transport industry.
National Bulk Tanker Association (NBTA) Chairman, Justin Keast, opened 2025 Bulk Tanker Day by reflecting on how far the industry has come since the first event. He also paid tribute to NBTA Executive Member, Mark Anderson, whose leadership has driven meaningful change across the sector.
“Justin spoke about the power of partnerships and the importance of getting the basics right, while reaffirming the NBTA’s commitment to doing just that,” said NBTA Executive Director, Anthony Germanchev.
This year’s Bulk Tanker Day saw a significant milestone achieved as the NBTA and Australian and New Zealand Council For Fire and Emergency Services (AFAC) renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This formalised the two organisations’ ongoing collaboration on joint training and support for the TERP infield workshops; the sharing of incident data to measure safety performance and identify trends; the DG101 education platform; and the jointly hosted NBTA Annual Conference and Bulk Tanker Day.
In his opening address, AFAC CEO, Rob Webb, signed the renewed MoU as
NBTA Chairman, Justin Keast, delivering his opening speech.
Images: National Bulk Tanker Association.
NBTA Executive Director, Anthony Germanchev.
a demonstration of the importance of partnerships which push to improve safety across the sector.
The ‘Technology, Telematics and the Freight Task’ session, chaired by FBT Transwest Managing Director and NBTA Deputy Chairman, Cameron Dunn, opened Bulk Tanker Day with an instructive look at the digital tools reshaping industry. Austroads General Manager, Gavin Hill, detailed the evolution of regulatory telematics from Electronic Work Diaries to advanced data-sharing initiatives in a presentation which underscored how technology is enabling smarter compliance, access and policy development. He also acknowledged the NBTA’s active role in current trials and tunnel access discussions and launched a survey for the Dangerous Goods sector.
The real-world applications of artificial intelligence were also explored, particularly by WHG Technologies in the way of predictive maintenance, route optimisation and early risk detection.
“The session made one thing clear: the future of safer, more efficient freight isn’t coming,” Germanchev said. “It’s already here.”
Other sessions at the event tackled structural changes within the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR). NHVR Executive Director Corporate Affairs, Michelle Tayler, delivered a keynote address with a view on what lies ahead for the organisation.
“Following the appointment of Nicole Rosie as CEO, who will commence in the role on July 1, the NHVR is in the midst of a pivotal moment in time – for both it and the broader freight sector as a whole,” Germanchev said. “Nicole will take over from Sal Petroccitto, whose decade-long tenure was defined by his commitment to ‘listening to industry’ a principle that helped shape the NHVR’s collaborative approach to regulation.”
Tayler also outlined the NHVR’s evolving strategic focuses, including smarter collaborative regulation favours education over penalties, embracing digital tools to improve compliance and productivity and strengthening partnerships with industry. She also reinforced the importance of transparency and trust between regulators and operators and highlighted the NBTA as a key partner in delivering practical safety outcomes.
“Her message was clear: the next chapter for the NHVR builds on a solid foundation
and will be defined by renewal, partnership and continued progress,” Germanchev said.
The mid-morning ‘What the Data Is Telling Us’ session chaired by Toll Group National Transport Compliance Manager – Fuel & Gas, Mitchell Lancaster, brought together three of the industry’s biggest advocates for safety to explore their findings from research. First, NTI Transport Research Manager, Adam Gibson, presented highlights from the latest National Truck Accident Research Centre (NTARC) Major Accident Investigation Report, offering an insight into the trends shaping on road safety
“Distraction continues to be a growing contributor to serious incidents, with Adam urging the industry to take proactive steps in identifying and mitigating driver attention risks,” Germanchev said. “He highlighted the importance of managing change in your business and not simply relying on the introduction of technology to improve safety standards. He encouraged a focus on the importance of the driver and their critical role in safety.”
Next, NHVR Chief Engineer, Les Bruzsa, delivered an update on the next phase of the Performance-Based Standards (PBS) network, PBS 2.0. His presentation revealed how PBS continues to evolve as a key enabler of safe and productive vehicle design.
“New configurations, streamlined assessments and a stronger focus on emerging technologies are all part of the NHVR’s efforts to ensure PBS keeps pace with innovation while maintaining rigorous safety outcomes,” Germanchev said.
Lastly, Lee Stringer, who leads the Safe Load Program (SLP), showcased the program’s digital transformation.
“From real-time vehicle and driver data at terminal gantries to AI-powered decision tools, SLP is setting a new benchmark
for integrated AI and technology into their safety systems,” Germanchev said. “Together, the session showed that data is not just for reporting but is for driving change for the better.”
The ‘Driving Productivity by Improving Safety’ session, chaired by Normec Managing Director, Jason Stables, saw the launch of two new safety initiatives. Gibson also returned to the stage to present a case study on managing steep descent risk based on a collaborative project with Booth Transport.
Drawing on site-specific and real-world examples, the session highlighted how poor descent control continues to be a contributing factor in catastrophic incidents.
“Adam emphasised that the path to creating safer descents isn’t just about equipment advances, it is also about training and understanding the limitations of both the driver and the vehicle, as well as the decent itself,” Germanchev said.
Germanchev himself presented early findings from the association’s near-miss data project. He shared various examples of how near-miss trends are already shaping safety conversations between fleet managers and drivers.
The NBTA also launched a dedicated project website and online dashboard for participating fleets. The platform enables real-time access to fleet-level insights and benchmarking, giving operators a powerful new tool to guide safety improvements and track progress.
Germanchev expressed his gratitude to partners and the industry at large for contributing to the event.
“Thank you to everyone who joined us for Bulk Tanker Day 2025 and helped make it a standout event for the bulk tanker sector,” he said. “We’re proud to be part of a community that continues to prioritise safety, partnerships and progress.”
Attendees gathered at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.
Food for thought
Australia’s food supply chains are shaped by consumer trends, market demands and other disruptors. To alleviate the challenges this industry faces, businesses, including road transport operators, are calling for better policies and the implementation of new technologies.
Australia is a significant global food supplier and considered one of the most food secure countries in the world. The $800 billion food system feeds around 100 million people across the globe with food produced by more than 100,000 farmers. Within that, the food supply chain sustains 27 million Australians with these local food systems. Many jobs, industries and activities are supported by these supply chains, strengthening Australia’s economy.
Consumer behaviour continues to fluctuate, driving growth in the food supply chain industry. However, businesses are struggling to keep pace with its everchanging nature and are pushing for government aid to alleviate supply chain bottlenecks.
In February 2025, the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) partnered with Argon & Co for its annual Supply Chain Survey in which it analysed and reported on food supply trends and challenges faced in the industry. These are a few of the changes that were seen in the past few years.
Inflation of grocery prices
For the first time since the survey’s inception, cost reduction surpassed customer satisfaction and was the top priority of grocery and food supply chain leaders. The report revealed that 43 per cent of organisations are focusing on
reducing the costs of their products over the next one to two years.
Since 2021, wages have been lagging behind the rise in grocery prices which has impacted the average Australian –especially those living in regional or rural areas where freight expenses typically come at a premium. To address this trend, companies are increasingly streamlining operations and adopting cost saving measures.
Lack of labour and skill gaps
Labour shortages and skill gaps within the industry pose a significant hurdle.
With over 85 per cent of the food supply industry comprising people from regional or rural areas, the shortage is not just a business issue. It is rooted in a lack of regional development.
Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) Commissioner, Professor Barney Glover, said the development and support of work-based learning like apprenticeships and traineeships is essential in tackling these issues.
“It’s important that we continue to support this workforce through housing availability and access to essential services such as childcare and healthcare,” he said. “Recognising food as a national priority strengthens the food supply chain workforce and its interactions with the national skills system.
“We need to make sure that young people are supported to study in regional areas, where so many food supply chain jobs are located.”
Infrastructure under pressure
Good transport infrastructure is crucial to allow businesses and supply chains to run smoothly. Currently, supply chain leaders are becoming increasingly concerned with freight costs and disruptions to their transport routes, and as a result, are looking to government for better funding and aid in improving rail and road networks.
AFGC CEO, Tanya Barden, said enhancing road and rail infrastructure is critical, especially for the east-west intercontinental railway.
“The vitality of the food and grocery industry hinges on efficient supply chains to ensure uninterrupted access to food for Australian households,” she said. “Yet the industry is constantly dealing with disruptions and preparing for future threats.”
Out of the 13 freight routes assessed for vulnerability and potential risk of failure by the Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics (BITRE), the east-west rail corridor was one of four routes that was determined to have a high or very high vulnerability rating. This particular railway is one of the most used for freight movements, and according to a report by AFGC, 81 per cent of respondents found that this was
A Woolworths delivery truck in the suburbs of Melbourne.
one of the key routes that are negatively impacting their business. The survey also showed that there had been a 77.9 per cent increase in road freight costs when comparing the years.
AI and technology advancements
The food supply chain industry is increasingly adopting advanced technologies to improve efficiency and cut costs. From AI-driven demand forecasting to blockchain for traceability, these developments are enhancing transparency and responsiveness. Companies are leveraging technology to better align with consumer demands and improve supply chain resilience.
The AFGC report shows that 74 per cent of businesses will be investing in generative AI over the next three years in hopes that it will boost their response times to challenges and consumer demands, and 93 per cent of them are looking to deploy AI within their supply chains.
However, with the development of advanced technology comes barriers such as skill gaps in existing staff, issues with system integration and high investment costs.
The social network
Additionally, the power of social media plays a big role in influencing consumer trends.
With media giant TikTok consistently growing in popularity, consumers are swaying in favour of what is going viral online. An example of this would be the ‘Dubai chocolate’ craze, which many chocolatiers have tried to replicate, that caused a global shortage of pistachios. Cucumbers and cottage cheese have also had similar trajectories on social media, with the latter having a negative impact on Australian supermarkets.
Locally, dairy company, Bulla, had to increase production of cottage cheese due to a spike in demand, and grocery stores struggled to meet demands.
Meanwhile in September 2023, following a fatal mushroom poisoning incident, domestic sales for the fungus had plummeted 10 per cent. The Chair of the Mushroom Growers Association of Victoria reassured consumers that it was impossible for death cap mushrooms to mistakenly enter the food supply chain.
Environmental and social responsibility
Sustainability remains a critical focus, with consumers and businesses alike emphasising environmentally friendly practices. Consumers are also demanding more transparency with industry practices and sustainable methods. This includes reducing food waste, improving packaging
sustainability and adopting more ethical sourcing and production methods.
However, according to the Parliament of Australia, as of now and for the foreseeable future, plastic packaging remains a necessity – especially plastic used for the storage of fresh and processed food. And since household food waste is high, it recommends a boost in public education and creating a circular economy within Australia to curb waste and become a more sustainable society.
Policy demands
After Covid-19, supply chains struggled to return to normal with the drastically changing demands in the market. According to the Australian Government, factors such as the growing demand for sustainability from consumers and a ‘lack of manpower’ in the field have affected supply chain trends.
The AFGC has urged government to assist the food supply industry by implementing policies such as investing in critical infrastructure to ensure national distribution efficiency and reliable stock availability on essential goods, tax incentives and addressing workforce shortages in regional and rural areas.
Without collaborative and sustained action, according to the AFGC, the ability to deliver the products Australians know and love is at risk.
Special
| Australia-Japan hydrogen value chain
An ambitious partnership
Australia and Japan’s joint technological expertise has the potential to lead the way in international clean energy according to a report.
The Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) and Engineering Academy of Japan (EAJ) have engaged in a partnership to report on and create a renewable hydrogen value chain – a critical development in international clean energy. This collaboration, underpinned by the EAJ’s Emerging Research Leaders’ Exchange Program (ERLEP), has evaluated hydrogen’s emerging role as a leading clean fuel within both Australia’s and Japan’s economies.
The renewable hydrogen value chain refers to the process of extracting hydrogen from water with the help of renewable energies via the process of electrolysis into a viable, carbon-neutral energy source. Hydrogen made from this process is known as green hydrogen.
The chain is quite an involved process, requiring space, infrastructure and
expertise to be handled efficiently. However, according to the AustraliaJapan renewable hydrogen value chain, it could be properly achieved through the collaboration of both nations.
Australia’s hydrogen pathway was first established in 2019 and was updated last year to represent a shift towards producing hydrogen and targeting its use for decarbonising specific sectors. Green hydrogen is seen as critical for a range of chemicals and, for example, is essential to a number of processes considered key in the particular decarbonising of steelmaking.
Additionally, green hydrogen is also recognised as integral for the future of shipping fuels and sustainable aviation fuels, as well as being thought of as a direct carrier for remote power needs, heavy road transport and even hightemperature industrial processes.
To implement these applications on a larger scale, Australia has set an ambitious national target of producing at least 15 million tonnes of renewable hydrogen per year by 2050 as well as early export milestones such as reaching 200,000 tonnes by 2030. Although various incentives have been implemented to support this goal, the Australian-Japan renewable hydrogen chain report has characterised Australia’s energy policy as uncertain in terms of long-term government support which hinders financing efforts.
In contrast, the report details that Japan has historically displayed a stronger commitment to hydrogen as part of its broader energy transition. It outlines Japan as one of the first early adopters of a hydrogen vision.
In 2017, Japan released the Basic Hydrogen Strategy which revealed its
view of the Tasman Bridge.
intention to become a ‘world-leading hydrogen-based society’. This strategy also emphasised collaboration with Australia to develop key hydrogen technologies in order to demonstrate a liquified hydrogen supply chain and drive commercialisation.
The strategy was then further revised in June 2023 to support such initiatives. This updated report identified nine key technologies, including fuel cells and water electrolysis devices, and committed over JPY ¥15 trillion (approximately AUD $160 billion) to investments over the 15 years to follow. The strategy also aims to increase hydrogen usage to 12 million tonnes annually by 2040.
Complementary initiatives have further supported the transition by funding research, development and infrastructure that are critical to lowering the production costs of green hydrogen and integrating it into existing industrial processes, and the Australian-Japan renewable hydrogen chain report has posed that together. The political contexts – along with Australia’s available resources and Japan’s technological expertise – are expected
to take great advantage of market opportunities for renewable hydrogen energy and make material developments in the space.
ATSE CEO, Kylie Walker, greatly supported the notion of Australia and Japan combining their efforts and resources when the report was released in May. She said it was necessary for a breakthrough in international clean energy.
“Achieving this potential requires a sustained focus on skills, infrastructure and financing,” she said. “Japanese and Australian innovation, working together in partnership, are a force to be reckoned with.
“This report lays out how retrained personnel from existing energy industries could add to their existing knowledge and fill the critical hydrogen roles of the future.”
EAJ Chair of International Affairs, Yuko Harayama, also spoke fondly of the two countries’ partnership, highlighting the ability to unite specific sectors from both nations.
“Japan and Australia are perfect partners for exploring the complementary and synergy in their expertise in
renewable hydrogen,” she said. “The key would be to bring together stakeholders from industry and academia from both sides.”
The converging policy priorities in Australia and Japan specifically underscore the need for terawatts of new renewable power and hundreds of billions of dollars in investment – not only in production facilities but also in the supporting infrastructure required to transport, store and use hydrogen effectively. Alignment through bilateral agreements, according to the AustraliaJapan renewable hydrogen chain report, is critical. The countries’ complementary approaches create a strong platform for this bilateral collaboration – Japan’s substantial investments and technologyfocused initiatives pair well with Australia’s ambitious production targets and comparative advantage for renewable energy generation.
The application of this partnership between Australia and Japan will also reportedly result in an influx of jobs, cleaner industry and a range of other economic benefits for both nations. These areas of development include production and its accompanying site construction, storage and distribution infrastructure, logistics and mobility and other energy and material applications.
These impacted areas closely aligned with the five dimensions central to the ATSE’s Technology Readiness Assessment Methodology that Australia and Japan both conducted in 2022 to test the technological readiness of the green hydrogen value chain. According to the Australia-Japan renewable hydrogen value chain report summary, the robust assessment’s specific dimensions (production infrastructure capacity, storage and distribution influence, transportation infrastructure, skills availability and financing ability) have all proven unready as of this point. However, gradual progress on all these fronts is occurring, equipping Australia and Japan with the ability to soon make tangible efforts in the renewable hydrogen energy space.
Fuelled by abundant and cheap Australian renewable energy using technologies leveraging Japanese and Australian inventions, the Australian-Japan renewable hydrogen chain report predicts that green hydrogen is slated to become a critical industry and trade focus in the Asia-Pacific by 2050.
Image: Yingyaipumi/stock.adobe.com.
A hydrogen pipeline.
Safety insight
Above board
GKR Transport Electronic Braking Systems and On-Board Mass systems in its fleet.
GKR Transport is a transport, storage and logistics services specialist which was established in Perth, Western Australia, in 1985. Its fleet of trailers and prime movers predominantly operate from the east to the west, travelling throughout Perth, Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide carting general freight of any type.
“Three truck drivers got together and started the business back in the 1980s,” says GKR Transport National Fleet and Maintenance Manager, Neil Anderson. “We’re focused on having the highest level of safety on our vehicles. That’s the way we run now. We will invest in anything that will stop incidents from happening and we will fit such equipment on all new trucks and trailers.”
reliable.
“The TEBS and iMass are compatible,” Neil says. “So, once you get your trucks and trailers on the same system, you’ve got a far better combination on the road.”
As part of this objective to increase safety, GKR Transport has standardised Knorr-Bremse Trailer Electronic Brake Systems (TEBS) and iMass Smart On-Board Mass systems.
“The drivers have seen some safety benefits,” Neil says. “It’s definitely given them an advantage.”
The iMass system measures the pressure in the air suspension of the vehicle and relates this to a vehicle mass estimation. The electronic levelling control installed
GKR Transport just rolled out 16 new trailers fitted with TEBS and iMass. Up to 25 older units in the fleet have also been retrofitted.
The fleet has also been investing in Knorr-Bremse Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). These include Adaptive cruise control and proximity control, Lane Departure Warning, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Information System and more.
“It gives us audible warnings for things like cruise control and how close you’re getting to another vehicle,” Neil says. “We were a company that weren’t running
warning or an incident going on.
“We have a reasonably good track record in the kilometres that we do, but it’s just one more thing to have to be that much safer.”
Australia’s largest supply chain and logistics trade show, MegaTrans, is returning in 2026.
Scheduled to take place from 16-17 September 2026 at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, MegaTrans 2026 will once again shine a spotlight on the Sustainable Supply Chain of the Future – attracting key players across freight, logistics, warehouse operations, transport technology, infrastructure and more.
To participate, visit www.megatrans.com. au/get-involved.
Image:
Knorr-Bremse.
Knorr-Bremse iMass.
Road upgrades & new developments
What you need to know about Australia’s biggest road projects this month
Largest SA infrastructure project underway
Main construction works are officially underway on the largest and most complex infrastructure project in South Australia.
The River Torrens to Darlington (T2D) Project will create a non-stop south road in Adelaide’s Southern Precinct in Clovelly Park.
This will allow motorists to bypass 21 sets of traffic lights and save up to 40 minutes of travel time in peak hour traffic.
Heavy machinery is now on site and activity on the project has ramped up.
The Southern Precinct area – located between Tonsley Boulevard and Norrie Avenue – will become the purpose-built site from where tunnel boring machines (TBM) will begin constructing the southern tunnels.
Two TBMs will launch from the Southern Precinct to construct the twin 4.5-kilometre southern tunnels, while the twin 2.2-kilometre northern tunnels will utilise a third TBM.
There has recently been a significant increase in works on site, including the start of construction of the diaphragm walls for the TBM launch box – the first piece of permanent works on the project.
The diaphragm walls will be up to 35 metres deep and will form the outside of the TBM launch box – a large open trench where the TBMs will be assembled and then begin excavating the tunnels.
A nearly 100-metre-long bentonite plant has also been constructed.
South Australian Premier, Peter Malinauskas, was excited to provide an update on the long-awaited project.
“This is a project that’s been long talked about – everyone knows how important it is,” he said.
“Now we’re getting on with delivering it.”
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King, said the latest developments on the state’s “biggest ever road project” is a significant milestone.
“This is the last leg of a long journey to create the North-South Corridor – 78 kilometres of non-stop, traffic light-free motorway – and once complete, it will change the state for the better,” she said.
“When South Australians can bypass 21 sets of traffic lights on their journeys between River Torrens and Darlington, they won’t know themselves.”
The project is expected to be open to traffic by 2031.
Bridge boosts freight efficiency in TAS
A new 1.2-kilometre-long bridge in Tasmania is expected to improve connectivity, enhance freight movement and support economic growth.
Built across the River Derwent at Bridgewater, the Bridgewater Bridge is expected to deliver faster, more reliable travel times for freight operators by significantly reducing bottlenecks on the highway network.
It also includes improved access for marine traffic that will reportedly reduce delays and improve efficiency for both road and river users.
According to Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King, this project will leave a lasting legacy for future generations.
“Investing in major infrastructure projects doesn’t just keep people and goods moving, it provides an ongoing boost to local economies through more efficient and effective transport,” she said.
The $786 million project was supported by both Federal and Tasmanian Governments, with the Australian Government contributing $628.8 million and the Tasmanian Government contributing the remaining $157.2 million.
The project was delivered on time and on budget.
Aerial shot of Adelaide CBD.
Critical road upgrades completed in SA
A series of upgrades have been completed on Upper Yorke Road in South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula to make travel safer for grain handlers and local road users.
These works included shoulder sealing, pavement rehabilitation and the installation of safety barriers on the section of road between Kulpara and Arthurton.
Additionally, the road pavement between Port Broughton and Bute was also upgraded with resealing and road shoulder construction to add further protection for motorists.
Audio Tactile Line Marking will also be installed between Kulpara and Arthurton, as well as Port Broughton and Bute as part of a state-wide scope of works this year. These upgrades – delivered as part of a $168 million commitment under the national Road Safety Program split evenly between the Federal and State Governments – aim to reduce the likelihood of accidents on this busy stretch of road.
“This stretch of road has already recorded five crashes with one fatality and two serious injuries between 2019 and 2023,” a South Australian Government spokesperson said.
More than 130 vehicles travel between Kulpara and Arthurton each day, while over 1,000 vehicles travel between Port Broughton and Bute in a day – 180 of which are heavy vehicles.
West Gate Tunnel Project to support freight industry
Freight industry leaders have been briefed on the positive impacts of the West Gate Tunnel Project which is set to open later this year.
The Victorian Transport Association (VTA) held its annual Ministerial Breakfast on 4 June, highlighting the critical role of the West Gate Tunnel in reshaping freight movement across Victoria.
The opening of the tunnel will reportedly be able to transport four 20′ containers at their maximum mass from regions such as Altona and Derrimut to the Port of Melbourne in half the current travel time.
Victorian Minister for Roads and Road Safety and Ports and Freight, Melissa Horne, delivered the keynote address at the Ministerial Breakfast.
She said the West Gate Tunnel Project will “re-shape the inner west” and “bring double digit improvements in productivity.”
Key freight productivity improvements outlined by Horne include:
• up to 13 minutes in travel-time savings between the west and the Port of Melbourne;
• bypassing up to 17 sets of traffic lights, significantly reducing delays;
• a 50 per cent increase in road capacity on the West Gate Freeway from the M80 interchange;
• express lanes from the M80 to the West Gate Bridge to streamline freight movement; and
• Load capacity upgrades to accommodate high-productivity freight vehicles (HPFVs) of up to 110 tonnes gross on the West Gate Freeway, and of up to 160 tonnes gross in the tunnel and on key connecting roads.
VTA CEO, Peter Anderson, said the West Gate Tunnel Project will increase productivity and help to meet the growing freight demands of the economy.
“The West Gate Tunnel is a pivotal advancement for transport operators in and around the Port of Melbourne,” he said. Anderson also said that reform across the transport sector is necessary, and that statutory bodies should be working more closely with industry.
“A modernised Heavy Vehicle National Law must prioritise risk-based regulations, efficiency and flexibility for operators,” he said.
The West Gate Tunnel is set to open later this year.
The West Gate Freeway.
Victorian Minister for Roads and Road Safety and Ports and Freight, Melissa Horne. Image: Victorian Transport Association.
Meeting in Munich
The Exhibition Centre in Munich, Germany, hosted Bauma 2025 from 7-13 April which saw the international community converge for the ultimate display in construction and mining road transport technologies and equipment.
Nicole Schmitt, Exhibition Director of Bauma Messe München, said this year’s event, together with the German Engineering Federation (VDMA), focused on five themes: climate and neutrality, alternative drive concept, networked construction, sustainable construction and mining challenges.
“More than 3,500 exhibitors from 57 countries presented their latest machines, technologies and innovations on a total of 614,000 square metres of exhibition space,” she said.
As an international meeting place for industry, Bauma, according to Schmitt, is not only a showcase for the latest technologies, but also a platform for professional dialogue and discussion of the key issues of the future.
“An important part of the program is the Bauma FORUM, which offered numerous presentations in the innovation hall from 7-11 April,” she said. “Organised by Messe München in cooperation with the VDMA and the German Mining and Minerals Industry Association (VDMA Mining & Minerals), the Bauma FORUM examined
key topics from a variety of perspectives over the course of five days. Experts from politics, industry and science discussed current challenges and presented technical developments.”
The Bauma FORUM also featured lectures, panel discussions and contributions from exhibitors.
“Representatives of the European Commission and the European Parliament, as well as leading trade associations such as CECE, HDB and VDMA, also provided political and regulatory insights,” Schmitt said. “Industry representatives showcased technological innovations. In addition, universities such as Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences, TU Clausthal, RWTH Aachen, TU Dresden, TU Munich, TU Braunschweig and FH Münster also presented their current research projects.”
This year there was a specific focus on sustainability and digitalisation.
“My personal highlights were definitely the innovation hall LAB0 for future topics, halls A3 and A4 and innovations in the field of ‘alternative drive concepts’, the ‘Mining inside’ segment and, of course,
the outdoor exhibition area with regard to developments in the field of ‘climate neutrality’,” Schmitt said.
The Bauma Innovation Award was presented for the 14th time in 2025. It honours the innovative developments in climate protection, digitalisation, machine technology, construction and research.
“The innovations submitted had to be related to the construction, building materials, mining machinery, construction or building materials industries,” Schmitt said.
BPW making trailers smarter and more efficient
The BPW Group brought its advanced swing axle technology for demanding applications.
The ‘7t swing axle’ manoeuvres vehicles across difficult terrain and features optimised weight ratio for installation.
The AGRO Robust, a 30-tonne swing axle unit, is designed for dump trucks in construction and mining. Optional steerability allows for additional options for OEMs to create custom solutions.
Bauma 2025.
Images: Messe München.
Active Reverse Control (ARC), an electrohydraulic auxiliary, enables low loaders with two self-steering axles to be even more manoeuvrable, enabling precise vehicle movements without a mechanical forced steering system.
BPW also has AI-supported running gear functions, such as iC Plus, to optimise the transport process, determining axle loads, monitoring tyre pressure and providing early feedback about braking performance and the status of brake pads.
With cargofleet 3, telematics and heavy vehicle operators can manage upcoming maintenance deadlines and increase efficiencies.
Lighting technology was also on show via BPW’s subsidiary, Ermax, with its new generation of LED rear lights.
“With our Bauma innovations, we are supporting trailer manufacturers in meeting the challenges of the construction and transport industry –from cost-efficiency and sustainability to digitalisation,” said BPW Director of Sales Customised Solutions, Peter Lindner. “In this way, we are particularly helping medium-sized special vehicle manufacturers to actively shape the future of transport.”
Hyva and JOST unite
Hyva introduced its Digital Tipping Solutions: DTS Guide, a comprehensive safety and efficiency system for tipper trucks. This solution includes an onboard
unit for front-end rigid tipper drivers and a cloud platform for fleet managers. DTS Guide provides actionable insights to improve safety and productivity, empowering drivers through technology and enabling fleet managers to make informed decisions that reduce risks of accidents and maximise profits.
Hyva unveiled its side-mounted ePowerbox100, a new addition to its electric PTO (ePTO) range. This revolutionary solution is designed for electric vehicles with hydraulic work equipment. The ePowerBox optimises the conversion of electrical energy to hydraulic movements, maximises hydraulic energy efficiency and minimises operational noise
Hyva’s renowned mining cylinder range will be on display, including the new Alpha UHD-PRO front-end cylinders and USE underbody cylinders, both designed for mining applications with load capacities up to 160 tons. A highlight was the world premiere of hydraulic suspension cylinder, suitable for chassis suspension on widebody mining tippers. Hyva cylinders are renowned for their strength, durability and reliability, performing exceptionally in all conditions. The company additionally showcased the DA-T Horizontal range, which includes double-acting telescopic cylinders for horizontal applications.
The Titan range of hookloaders featured the T24-60-S PRO Titan Hookloader, a new Titan PRO 24T model that is
significantly lighter (up to 350kg) and has an improved installation height of just 250mm. This design enhances transport volumes, offers fuel savings for long range transport, and lowers the centre of gravity for better driving and cornering performance. The tipping angle has been increased, facilitating the unloading of stickier materials. Additionally, the Titan PRO offers an optional fully electric proportional and sequence-controlled radio remote control, alongside the standard pneumatic control.
The Titan range of skiploaders were represented by the TS18-41-TAZ Skiploader, which is lighter, faster and designed for enhanced safety and comfort. This high-strength, durable skiploader is optimised for quicker operating times and provides the best telescopic reach on the market, making it easier to load and unload containers in challenging locations. The new radio remote offers improved actuation and intelligent features such as auto-home sequence control, intelligent stability control and integrated weighing. It also includes robust load-securing solutions to ensure containers are securely clamped. Additionally, the skiploader can be factory-equipped with various sheeting systems, allowing drivers to safely cover loads from ground level, minimising loading times.
The Hyva cranes range featured the HC183X crane from the EDGE Line, ideal for construction and logistics applications requiring a reliable, efficient and easyto-use product. The HC183X is equipped with innovative features and a variety of accessories to meet diverse customer needs. The crane includes four hydraulic extensions, Hyva’s most advanced CE control system, a 7-inch display, and radio control. Visitors can also experience the HB152 crane from the CORE line, ideal for growing economies. This crane combines a robust structure with competitive pricing, making it a valuable asset for various applications. With two hydraulic extensions, the HB152 offers an impressive outreach of 8.0 metres, ensuring excellent versatility. Its hydraulic loader limit device enhances safety and durability for long-term performance by protecting the crane from overload. Lastly, Bauma saw Low swivel axle suspension from the TRIDEC brand, opening a new market for independent trailer manufacturers. The TP-O Low is
Exhibition Director, Nicole Schmitt.
particularly suited for the high volume lowbed market in Europe. With a suspension travel of 600mm, the solution offers the lowest ride height at 12 tonnes per axle line, along with a greater steering angle than any other suspension solution, ensuring extreme reliability for demanding transport needs.
What you need to know about SSAB Zero
SSAB Zero is made using recycled steel using fossil-free electricity and biogas, resulting in virtually no carbon emissions from fossil fuels during the steelmaking process.
The fossil carbon emissions from SSAB Zero are less than 0.05kg CO₂e/kg steel in Scope 1 and 2 of the GHG Protocol. This steel can help reduce carbon emissions at the source, from the steel production process itself, downstream throughout a manufacturer’s value chain.
Now, with Hardox 450 made from SSAB Zero, manufacturers can mitigate the impact of their Scope 3 emissions (indirect emissions that are generated across the value chain) and reduce industry’s overall carbon footprint.
Sweden-based OEM, Zetterbergs, which specialises in the manufacture of tippers,
hook lifts and fixed platforms, uses Hardox 450 made from SSAB Zero in its ZD5 hook lift tipper body build.
Schwarzmüller tackles efficiency and sustainability
Austria-based trailer builder, Schwarzmüller, unveiled its suite of ‘pioneering solutions’.
With a focus on innovative strength and customer proximity, Schwarzmüller is emphasising its role as a leading provider of individual vehicle concepts for demanding transport tasks.
It develops transport solutions specifically tailored to the challenges of the construction and transport industry, from weight-optimised dump trucks, ultramodern low-loaders or intelligent load securing systems.
“Our innovative strength is not only reflected in technological innovations, but above all in the fact that we develop our vehicles with and for our customers,” said Schwarzmüller Group Product Expert, Ferdinand Hamedinge.
“Every solution is designed to master their daily challenges in the best possible way.”
An example is the new four-axle low loader trailer, making the transport of
construction machinery more efficient with its optimised design and smart safety features.
The three-axle all-aluminium segment skip also sets new standards for weight savings and durability – cost-effectiveness factors at construction sites.
The Schwarzmüller Group is highly customer focused with each vehicle developed to the individual user’s requirements.
MEILLER exhibited its complete tipper portfolio
Munich-based OEM, MEILLER, used the international platform to launch new tipper designs including a new three-way tipper, skip loader, hooklift, semi-trailer and rear tipper.
The TRIGENIUS three-way tipper series celebrated its global premiere three years ago and has been refined further for every weight class ranging from 3.5 to 41 tonnes, while retaining its smooth, modular structure.
The TECTRIS AK18 skip loader features a modular bolted design, further reinforcement of its steel structure and a new environmentally friendly surface, made from a cathodic dip primer coating and water-based topcoat paint finish.
The TECTRUM RS21 hooklift appeared at Bauma 2025 as a complete truck and trailer combination with an appropriate container transport trailer.
The three-axle MHPS 44/3N semitrailer is one of the classic models in the MEILLER range, named “GRANDLOAD” since the 2024 IAA Transportation event. With optimised weight characteristics and a robust design, the GRANDLOAD boasts outstanding driving characteristics on all routes. Its low centre of gravity ensures greater tipping stability, optimum road
holding and stable driving characteristics. Meiller has also further developed the heavy rear tipper product line, and named MAXTREME, emphasising extreme operations and versatility of robust heavy rear tippers. The range includes the four-axle P436 and H450 rear tippers, and are distinguished by compact outer dimensions, extensive transportation volume and high functionality. The tippers also combine a low tare weight with a high payload.
The manufacturer is committed to
strengthening its status as a specialist for steel tippers and light steel tipping superstructures.
“For us, we see this as a natural and significant milestone in our progress to become one of Sweden’s first manufacturers offering fossil-free truck bodies to our customers,” said Zetterbergs CEO, Lars Erfäldt.
“We are excited to be part of this development and to actively contribute to the ongoing transition towards sustainability.”
Image: JOST.
The DTS Guide empowers fleet managers.
National treasure
Simon National Carriers has invested in a substantial amount of trailers.
Australian freight carrier, Simon National Carriers, has taken delivery of nine new trailers from Freighter Group – six flat tops and three drop decks.
The flat tops were spec’d with 3-way container pins, BPW Transpec disc brake axles, D36 airbag suspension and rear mount shock absorbers, Knorr-Bremse Electronic Braking Systems and HELLA Australia lighting. Meanwhile, the drop decks were ordered with bi-fold ramps and a beaver tail design as well as 3-way container pins, BPW Transpec disc brake axles, D30 airbag suspension and shock absorbers, Knorr-Bremse EBS and a HELLA Australia rotating light on the rear for oversize loads.
These units join a fleet of 45 Freighter flat tops, drop decks, skels and Tautliner B-doubles at Simon National Carriers.
According to National Transport and Distribution Manager, Mick West, the latest trailers have made the fleet extremely adaptable.
“We do deliveries into remote areas and often find that someone has a container that needs to be picked up while we’re there,” he says. “The pins give us the flexibility to do that without having to go back and get another trailer.
“They are very robust trailers and they serve our purpose well.”
The drop decks were specified to cater directly to the business’ General Freight and Project Logistics divisions. Simons National Carriers National Fleet Manager,
Scott Horwood, says they have provided significant cost savings as a result.
“The ramps themselves are next level,” he explains. “We get a lot of cost savings by being able to pick up and deliver direct without having to rely on third parties for tilt trays and cross-dock freight. All of these factors are big advantages to us.”
For the drop decks, Simon National Carriers decided on slightly wider bi-fold ramps with a smaller gap in the middle to cater to the needs of one of its largest customers, Kubota Australia. Scott says this allows the fleet to service Kubota to its full potential.
“We carry a wide variety of machinery for Kubota,” he says. “We have to make sure that we can fit all of their machinery up and down the ramps without dropping them on the inside.”
The 13.5m flat tops each boast a Gross Combination Mass (GCM) of 42 tonnes and a payload of 27.5 tonnes. Meanwhile, the 13.7m drop decks have 42-tonne GCMs with 25.5-tonne payloads. All units were built for Performance-Based Standards (PBS) regulations and are being used in B-double and B-triple road train configurations. Mick believes they’ve already proven their dominance in these applications.
“They travel anywhere Australia carrying general freight and plant machinery,” he says. “They’re all spec’d with BPW Transpec axle and suspension systems, and those components, going hand-in-
hand with the trailer manufacturer, live up to any task.
“From a performance point of view, the uptime on these units should be high.”
Productivity and efficiency benefits have also been apparent in B-double and road train configurations.
“We get significant efficiency gains by having one truck that can pull a triple,” Mick says. “They’re extremely versatile. We can have two flat tops and one drop deck or two drop decks and one flat top in the same combination.”
Mick reveals that in addition to carting general freight and plant machinery, a mixture of the flat top and drop deck trailers are also being used by the Australian Defence Force.
“We’re doing big defence moves with the Australian Defence Force now,” he says. “We do a lot of defence work especially around this time of year and these new trailers are getting used on those projects.”
In addition, the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) has also been using one of the flat tops for testing.
“We’ve been doing a lot of work with TMR,” Mick says. “One of our trailers has been dedicated to their education programs.
“It was just recently loaded with concrete blocks to look at downhill performance and cornering with drivers in Queensland. We’ve been doing some filming for them as well, so it’s pretty exciting.”
One of Simon National Carriers’ new flat tops with a load for Kubota Australia. Image: Simon National Carriers.
Truck Shows & Field Days
Pencil in some information on dates and venues of various truck shows, field days and road transport industry conferences both locally and internationally.
