Leading freight handler the SCT Group has joined with Australian Container Freight Services to further open up rail access to the Port of Melbourne.
SCT managing director Geoff Smith said the rail to port collaboration would open up 300,000 tonnes of rail freight annually.
“This announcement will be the first of many based on our on-going investment in rail freight in the State, supported by the Victorian government’s Port Rail Shuttle Network (PRSN) Strategy,’ Mr Smith said.
“SCT has substantial plans around increasing rail freight volumes, and this collaboration with ACFS will provide a strong foundation for future growth.”
ACFS is Australia’s premier container logistics provider, and this new port access is a significant component of its port related rail facilities.
ACFS has recently developed its facility at Altona.
“This new site is a pivotal step in our off-port expansion into metropolitan Melbourne” ACFS chief executive Arthur Tzaneros said.
“The site will offer a broad range of services to our existing and new customers, including third-party logistics warehousing and e-Commerce activities.
“We also look forward to making a major contribution to reducing congestion in and around Melbourne’s west, with this project removing over 70,000 truck movements from the roads”.
He said the development provided direct port connectivity to regional Victoria, with increased volumes flowing from SCT’s Horsham and Wodonga sites to the Port of Melbourne.
“This aspect of opening the port to regional and rural businesses is crucial” Mr Smith said.
“Export supply chains for Victoria’s regional businesses are more important than ever.
“This partnership will provide direct access for a broad cross-section of companies seeking to sell their products into Asia-Pacific markets and beyond”.
The project is part of the Victorian government’s Port Rail Shuttle Network (PRSN) and Port Rail Transformation policies.
SCT is a national, multi-modal transport and logistics company offering a full complement of transport and logistics services across road, rail, refrigerated transport and warehousing and distribution centre support.
The company has a national network with intermodal freight hubs across Victoria, NSW, Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia.
ACFS is Australia’s largest privately-owned Container Logistics operator in Australia, moving over 1.2million TEU annually, and employing in excess of 1,200 staff.
ACFS has a comprehensive portfolio of facilities and clients across Australia’s east coast, strategically located to maximise quick and efficient wharf and port access.
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Published by The Courier on 23 July 2020
