Container rail logistics works

WA-owned and operated rail transport and logistics company Intermodal Group has had a record-breaking month at the North Quay Rail Terminal (NQRT) at Fremantle’s InnerHarbour, processing more than 10,000 containers for both import and export in May.

This is the highest volume recorded by the group since it commenced operations at NQRT in 2007.

Approximately 80% of volumes currently received at NQRT are transported by Intermodal’s rail service from its Forrestfield Intermodal Rail Terminal (FIT). Intermodal is the exclusive operator of the NQRT to Kewdale-Forrestfield rail corridor. The remaining 20% is from the Kalgoorlie and Kwinana line services, are operated by other providers.

Container volumes at FIT were also at record levels in May – over 8,000 containers contributed to the short haul rail shuttle service.

Containers were transported and processed predominantly on behalf of clients in the agriculture, resources and events industries.

Intermodal’s record month is a result of a number of initiatives implemented by the Group to increase rail transport of containers to Fremantle, including a focus on container hire and de-hire through its Intermodal Container Services (ICS) division. ICS operates the largest inland empty container park in WA, is co-located at the group’s Forrestfield Terminal site. ICS also had a record month in May.

Intermodal Group general manager Darrin Smith said: “ICS gives us the ability to match client import and export container requirements which is a critical component to making the overall supply chain work.

“It’s an under-appreciated element of success in rail logistics. It’s something we’ve put a lot of emphasis on since the current management group assumed control of Intermodal as part of the management buy-out that took place in Sept 2011,” he said.

Mr Smith said processing volumes at NQRT were boosted further by stronger agricultural and resources based exports, which look set to continue based on current trends, adding that more companies were recognising the benefits of rail for transporting bulk volumes.

“Rail as a logistics solution for bulk volumes offers strong commercial, environmental and community benefits,” he said.

“It’s very cost effective because it facilitates a greater number of containers to be moved in a shorter timeframe.

“And from a community and environmental perspective, it reduces the number of trucks on our roads and traffic congestion, which means cleaner, safer communities.”

The record month was achieved despite an overall softening in current port volumes and the impact of major site works undertaken at the NQRT as part of the Fremantle Port Authority’s Rous Head redevelopment and expansion project.

Source: http://www.tandlnews.com.au/