Home//Australasian Transport News (ATN)/Issue 409/In This Issue
Australasian Transport News (ATN)|Issue 409Warning of dark waterROB McKAY has been a journalist for more than three decades, with the last 25 years focused on national and international freight transportIt is pretty tempting to relate the exploits, accomplishments and weaknesses of Lieutenant General the Lord Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powel, who had a veritable alphabet of honours to his name, along with the founding of the Scout Movement and helping form the Girl Guides.Tempting but pointless, given the name of this column.Rather, a bit more ‘forward’ thinking was his caution to said scouts and guides: Be Prepared.It would seem a commonplace in such a dynamic industry as transport and logistics, one so at the mercy of outside factors – expecting the unexpected is part of the enterprise.Often they come without warning – a failed truck part, customers shifting…3 min
Australasian Transport News (ATN)|Issue 409DPWA acquiesces to MUA demandsDP World Australia (DPWA) recently announced that it had made progress with the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) regarding its demands for pay increases."The Maritime Union's decision to withdraw all industrial action at DP World Sydney has enabled productive negotiations at our Sydney terminal to resume," COO – terminals Andrew Adam said on September 25.MUA national secretary Paddy Crumlin says the breakthrough "demonstrated that the proper application of bargaining was capable of resolving long-running, complex disputes".Sydney is reportedly awash with empty containers and the port’s container road haulage operators are facing monthly financial losses in seven figures, due to container logistics disruption from industrial action undertaken by MUA."Congestion at the Patrick Port Botany Terminal alone will cost the NSW container road transport sector over $1 million a month in lost…1 min
Australasian Transport News (ATN)|Issue 409NEW CUSTOMER AND FACILITY FOR RON FINEMORE TRANSPORTA busy period for Ron Finemore Transport (RFT) sees it win a contract with German supermarket giant Aldi and secure a new facility in Goulburn, New South Wales.On the latter, RFT says the facility cements its commitment to regional Australia and complements its other regional Australian facilities in Wodonga, Wagga Wagga and Orange.Located just off the Hume Highway, it is said to provide excellent access for heavy vehicles without impacting on the local community, fleet parking and state-of-the-art office.It incorporates the operations and driver trainer teams while offering 24/7 on-site refuelling for the RFT fleet passing through Goulburn onto other destinations."The new Ron Finemore Transport site in Goulburn is further testament to ensuring we provide a safe and reliable service to all our customers and has provided us with significant…1 min
Australasian Transport News (ATN)|Issue 409Winners of 2020 National Trucking Industry Awards namedThe 2020 National Trucking Industry Awards were livestreamed recently, recognising those who have gone above and beyond to improve the trucking industry.Robert Cavanagh, MD of Cavanagh’s Transport/Stockmaster based in Inverell, NSW, was commended for his Outstanding Contribution to the Australian Trucking Industry.National Professional Driver of the Year was awarded to Russell Lee, a road train driver with Directhaul in Darwin, NT, who has served the business for more than 30 years.National Trucking Industry Woman of the Year was Roslyn Anderson, chief financial controller of Wales Truck Repairs, Smithfield, NSW, who is a member of the Transport Women Australia and Women in Transport Australia networks.The National Training Excellence Award was given to Chemtrans, based in Truganina, Victoria, which developed a dangerous goods bulk tanker load/unloading simulator and has since recorded a…1 min
Australasian Transport News (ATN)|Issue 409RON CROUCH TRANSPORT BUYS AG LOGISTICS IN ADELAIDE EXPANSIONRon Crouch Transport is acquiring Cavan-based South Australian operator AG Logistics.The prized capture is the current AG Logistics facility, a purpose-built fully bunded warehouse licensed to store dangerous goods, expanding RCT’s footprint in that sector.“This ensures that our Adelaide site will be able to offer a complete 3PL [third-party logistics] solution for all DG and non-DG (including food-grade) product, which ensures consistency of service offering with all other sites within our network," it says.Established in 2002, AG's website lists the site as a 9,000 square metre fully hardstand premise in the heart of northern metropolitan Adelaide.It comes after a huge RCT expansion drive on the eastern seaboard, opening a 12,500 square metre Sydney facility and a 6,000 square metre site in Wacol, Brisbane.…1 min
Australasian Transport News (ATN)|Issue 409TWU QLD TAKES CLEANAWAY TO TASK ON RATE REDUCTIONCleanaway appears stuck in the Transport Workers Union (TWU) crosshairs over its treatment of drivers.The waste management company comes to the union’s attention a second time over media revelations, this time concerning its Queensland operations.The issue centres on retrospective consumer price index-related rate adjustments announced in letters to contractors including owner-drivers, as reported in the Australian Financial Review (AFR) newspaper.The adjustments reportedly cut both ways but a reduction – in this case, due to falls in inflation and oil prices along with other Covid-related issues but apparently quite heavy at 7.2 per cent – reportedly leads to a debt owed to the company.The latest issue comes after the AFR reported management and fleet safety concerns.While the policy has an aspect of fairness over the long term, the TWU’s Queensland branch…2 min
Australasian Transport News (ATN)|Issue 409FEDERAL BUDGET 2020 HIGHLIGHTSBusiness support and incentives are the focus of the treasurer Josh Frydenberg’s 2020 Budget jobs plan.Those with an aggregated turnover of less than $5 billion can deduct the full cost of eligible capital assets acquired between October 6, 2020 and June 30, 2022, with additional concessions also available for small businesses turning over less than $10 million.This is expected to make 99 per cent of Australian businesses eligible to write off capital equipment expenditure through June 2020.The government is introducing a new JobMaker hiring credit of $4 billion in cash incentives for businesses to hire certain employees aged 16-35.This is additional to $1.2 billion in JobTrainer wage subsidies to stimulate business investments in apprentices and trainees.Other initiatives to stimulate business confidence include tax concessions for businesses turning over less than…2 min
Australasian Transport News (ATN)|Issue 409BARRY MANEY ELEVATES CORNOLO TO GMMt Gambier-based dealer Barry Maney Group has appointed Jim Cornolo as its new general manager.In a short statement, the company notes Cornolo’s involvement with the Barry Maney Group extends more than 15 years, having spent the past 11 years initially as truck sales manager and later as the dealer principal for the BMG Kenworth DAF Mount Gambier Paccar franchise.In his new role as Barry Maney Group general manager, Cornolo will continue as dealer principal for both the Paccar and Hino franchises.Cornolo says he looks forward to, and is committed to, upholding the levels of customer service and values that people have come to expect from all businesses across the Barry Maney Group.“Over the years, I have been very fortunate to build some wonderful customer relationships and look forward to continuing…1 min
Australasian Transport News (ATN)|Issue 409Making trucking saferWARREN CLARK is CEO of the National Road Transport Association (NatRoad)During the monthly NatRoad webinar presented by the National Transport Commission (NTC) in September 2020, there was an emphasis on how a future Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) would be more reliant on technology and vehicle generated data. It was clear from the presentation that the days of drivers carrying a sheaf of paper permits or authorisations will soon be something of the past.NatRoad supports the use of technology, particularly to enhance road safety. Newer, safer technologies, moving ultimately to autonomous vehicles, will have a revolutionary effect on the transport task.But while technological change will ultimately have revolutionary effects, the irony is that one of the most significant challenges facing the road freight transport sector right now is a critical…3 min
Australasian Transport News (ATN)|Issue 409TRUCK MAKERS FORCE THE FUEL PACESo how are the heavy vehicle manufacturers giving the hydrogen story impetus, particularly over the past 12 months? Leaving aside Nikola for the moment, the dark horse in this race has been Hyundai.HYUNDAIIt seems a marque can’t make waves in this space without an utterly futuristic design concept and, 12 months ago, the South Korean giant unveiled its one – the HDC-6 Neptune – at the North American Commercial Vehicle (NACV) Show.The jury is out on how many of these slick futurist prime movers will hit the market, but even Nikola has become more conventional when linking with traditional truckmakers.So it is that the first 50 prime movers and rigids Hyundai is sending to Switzerland, on its way to a promised 1,600 FCEVs in Europe are based on the existing…6 min
Australasian Transport News (ATN)|Issue 409In breach of mass limitsSARAH MARINOVIC is a principal solicitor at Ainsley Law – a firm dedicated to traffic and heavy vehicle law. She has focused on this expertise for over a decade, having started her career prosecuting for the RMS, and then using that experience as a defence lawyer helping professional drivers and truck owners. For more information email Sarah at sarah@ainsleylaw.com. au or phone 0416 224 601There are a few areas of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) that should be on the radar of every operator. They’re the laws that carry the biggest fines, are most enforced, and seem to make up the bulk of matters going to court. For transport businesses, these are the laws that represent the largest risk.The mass limit laws are one of these highly policed provisions.…4 min
Australasian Transport News (ATN)|Issue 409FREIGHTLINER FIGHTBACKDuring a recent ‘virtual’ media event from Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) headquarters in Portland, Oregon, president and chief executive officer Roger Nielsen was eager to report that DTNA is now building as many trucks as it did before the Covid-19 pandemic struck the US in March.In a wide-ranging address, Nielsen also outlined DTNA’s commitment to offering battery-electric vehicles in every US market segment it contests and commented on the social unrest that has dogged the streets of Portland in recent times.The pandemic has caused much hardship on Freightliner production lines, he explained.“We went through quite a tough period on the sales side and the production side. At one moment in April, we had nearly 15,000 people furloughed out of 23,000. It was quite an impact for us.”However, production levels…4 min
Australasian Transport News (ATN)|Issue 409SILVER CELEBRATIONTwenty-five years ago, a van that would go on to lend its name to an entire vehicle segment was launched on the market: the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.Today, a quarter of a century later, the current generation still represents the benchmark for the competition.Alongside its timeless values such as quality, reliability, economy and comfort, the current Sprinter also stands for networking and connectivity and – with the recent launch of the eSprinter variant – for emission-free transportation too.VAN EXPERTISE SINCE 1955Even the first Sprinter generation was nothing less but the result of 40 years of van expertise at Mercedes-Benz, as the L319 celebrated its debut in 1955.As the first transporter with the star on its radiator grille, it had a gross vehicle weight of 3.6 tons, which was mobilised by the 43hp…6 min
Australasian Transport News (ATN)|Issue 409MUA WATERFRONT BATTLE SEES FLUCTUATIONSOnce again, Patrick is holding its ground in the face of the Maritime Union of Australia’s (MUA’s) long industrial relations experience.Following talks at the Fair Work Commission (FWA) over two days, the MUA announced it would immediately end industrial action at Patrick terminals in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Fremantle.It then extended the offered rollover period for the existing enterprise agreement to two years from one while seeking "industry-standard" 2.5 per cent a year pay rises, down from the 6.5 per cent it admits is an ambit claim.But Patrick said the MUA rejected an offer of 1.5 per cent pay increases for each of the next four years with no changes to their current conditions or rosters.Saying he was "amazed the MUA had rejected the offer", Patrick CEO Michael Jovicic cast…1 min
Australasian Transport News (ATN)|Issue 409FIRST DELIVERY OF HUGE LINFOX VOLVO ORDERLinfox has taken delivery of the first Euro 6 FM prime mover from Volvo Group Australia’s (VGA’s) Wacol plant – and then some.More than 100 trucks comprise the order, which include the 11- and 13-litre engine capacities as well as horsepower ratings from 460hp to 500hp (336kW–373kW).The trucks are also fitted with a full complement of active and passive safety equipment as well as meeting criteria of the stringent Swedish BOF10 crash test.Linfox chair Peter Fox, VGA president and CEO Martin Merrick, and federal assistant freight transport minister Scott Buchholz marked the event."We are working together to drive a safer, cleaner, more productive transport industry here in this country," Merrick says.Linfox chalks this order alongside other Queensland milestones, including the construction of its new distribution centre and state office in…1 min
Australasian Transport News (ATN)|Issue 409INDUSTRY MOURNS BILL POWER'S PASSINGThe port transport sector and trucking more broadly is mourning the death of industry stalwart and Transfleet Transport founder and MD Bill Power.Under his leadership, family firm Transfleet grew from a Melbourne haulage firm that began in 1982, through expansion into Sydney in 2006 to now also having a presence in Brisbane."It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Bill Power, father to Angela Williams and Adam Power," Container Transport Alliance Australia (CTAA) director Neil Chambers tells members."Bill would be known to many as he was active in the transport business from his early 20s and never fully retired."Bill loved the transport industry, and grew the Transfleet business around exceptional hands-on customer service."Bill was a generous, genuine and loveable man, and he will be greatly missed…1 min
Australasian Transport News (ATN)|Issue 409CONVICTIONS FOR TRUCK FALLA company and director have been convicted and fined more than $270,000 for failing to comply with their safety duties after a worker became a paraplegic after falling from a truck.SafeWork NSW brought the case against Banana’s Truck & Tipper Hire (BTTH) and director David Monk after investigating the 2017 incident.The NSW District Court heard the company owned a dual-cab truck with loader crane and bin.During a tree removal job, while climbing out of the bin, a worker fell from a height of about three metres onto the road below and landed on the back of his head.He suffered a skull fracture, broken ribs, a collapsed lung and spinal cord damage; the latter resulting in permanent paraplegia from the waist down.The court heard that, at the time of the incident,…2 min
Australasian Transport News (ATN)|Issue 409TWU CALLS FOR CLEANAWAY CRASH INVESTIGATIONThe management revelations engulfing waste handling and transport firm Cleanaway have put a cloud over its safety culture.Led by the Australian Financial Review, mainstream media reports focusing on CEO Vik Bansal have elicited an “independent investigation” and a stern public warning from the company’s board on any "unacceptable conduct” and an acknowledgement of the “feedback" from Bansal.The board says it has implemented a range of measures including executive leadership mentoring, enhanced reporting, and monitoring of the CEO’s conduct.Despite a huge improvement in injury reduction, the conduct so far has reportedly led to a culture of fear that hindered bad news being passed up the management chain, experienced managers leaving, pressure on truck drivers to perform other duties when vehicles were awaiting maintenance and cost-cutting impinging on upgrades to its fleet…2 min
Australasian Transport News (ATN)|Issue 409A shared ambition for ‘Vision Zero’DAVID SMITH chairs the Australian Trucking AssociationThe number of crashes involving trucks on our roads is still unacceptable and will continue to be unacceptable until every road user gets home safely, every day.The Australian Trucking Association (ATA) and our members have made countless submissions and appeared before many inquiries and committees, advocating for the hardworking businesses and people in our industry.We have also worked closely with the regulator, safety experts and industry representatives as part of a community of organisations who want Australia to do better on road safety and who value evidence-based policy making.Earlier this year, the ATA gave evidence before the Joint Select Committee on Road Safety, which is inquiring into and reporting on, the impact of road trauma and how to support the Australian Parliament’s resolve to…3 min
Australasian Transport News (ATN)|Issue 409GIBSON JOINS ISUZU AS ENGINEERING SUPPORT MANAGERIsuzu Australia Limited (IAL) has appointed Jeff Gibson as its new engineering support manager.IAL recruits Gibson from rival Hino, where he was a sales engineer for almost eight years.He has also had a seven-year stint at UD in various roles.IAL chief engineer – product strategy Simon Humphries says Gibson will bring additional experience and well-honed industry knowledge to the key role.“Jeff brings significant experience to the role and the detailed knowledge he has developed over the past three decades.“From starting out as an apprentice mechanic to working as engineering support manager and then sales engineer with other major OEMs is highly appreciated by our engineering team.“Not only does he bring a quality industry pedigree to IAL, Jeff is also a passionate car enthusiast having worked both as a supercar race…1 min
Australasian Transport News (ATN)|Issue 409The HVAC School of Witchcraft and WizardryWelcome students to a wondrous journey delving into what some would believe is the dark arts of truck HVAC systems. Our first lesson: what is HVAC? Easy – it stands for heating, ventilation and air conditioning. That makes sense – so let’s see what else we can make sense of.Heating for vehicles is achieved by sourcing hot coolant from the engine and running it through a heater core (think small radiator) inside the cab. Coupled with controllable taps for coolant flow and blower fans, we can control the amount of heat output for comfort.Ventilation is purely our means of moving heated, cooled, internal or external ‘fresh’ air around a cab. This is done with ducts but also mechanisms to control the direction of flow, so we can choose between feet,…3 min
Australasian Transport News (ATN)|Issue 409BUSINESS EVENTS – WHY DO WE DO IT?Amidst the madness of 2020, sometimes it is difficult to know if we are heading in the right direction; at times it feels like the pace of things is slowing down to a cautious crawl at the expense of our businesses, our economy and maybe even our sanity.Then, that speck of light in the distance provides us with everything we need to pick up our pace again and start heading forward, with the surety that everything is going to be alright.Naturally there have been some nerves about whether everything will be good to go by 2021. Well, five months into 2021 actually: the 2021 Brisbane Truck Show will run from May 13 to 16.But, there are some actions that have added to the level of confidence that everyone needs. Try…3 min
Australasian Transport News (ATN)|Issue 409TIME TO TALKEvery year in Australia, around one in five people will experience the effects of mental health issues. While events like R U OK? Day and World Mental Health Day shine a light on the prevalence of anxiety and depression in our communities, it’s critical that we talk openly about these issues all year round.In recent years, much has been done to highlight the mental wellbeing of truck drivers in Australia’s transport industry. Tasked with meeting strict deadlines in some of the most remote areas of the country, truck drivers often feel isolated and alone.Speaking to your friends, employer, doctor or mental health professional is important. Yet, there are some small, simple things you can incorporate into your day to lessen the load, improve your mental wellbeing while out on the…4 min
Australasian Transport News (ATN)|Issue 409CHARGE OF THE HEAVY BRIGADE MARKS TRUCK SALESTruck Industry Council (TIC) monthly T-Mark figures show September’s total at 2,858, up from August’s 2,616 but down on July’s 2,891.Those keen on the historic level will note that this year’s September is desperately close to 2016’s 2,863 but well-below 2017’s 3,304.It may be worth keeping in mind that though July is traditionally a quiet month, federal government instant asset write-off incentives are in the sales mix and are held responsible for a spike in all sorts of vehicle sales, including cars and commercial vans, along with used trucks.In trucks of all sizes, market leader Isuzu has been gliding down in the past three months, from 724 in July to 661 in September, while bridesmaid Hino slid from 456 to 382, but then ticked up last month to 398.Third-placed Fuso…3 min
Australasian Transport News (ATN)|Issue 409MAERSK MOVES ON SYDNEY DISRUPTIONMaersk said it sought to avoid the port altogether, rather than simply impose congestion charges as others had done.In an update on September 29, Maersk said there would in fact be a Port Congestion Surcharge of US$350 (A$492) per TEU applied due to the delays experienced at the port.The development comes as trade, shipping, land-transport transport concern keeps ratcheting up.Stevedore DP World Australia (DPWA) reached a deal with MUA regarding the six per cent increase in wages over four years that the union was demanding, but Patrick was seeking Fair Work Commission (FWC) relief from the union’s protected industrial action (PIA) on the grounds of severe damage to the NSW and national economies.A two-day conciliation hearing between MUA and Patrick before the FWC at the end of September failed to…2 min
Australasian Transport News (ATN)|Issue 409SCOTTSRL SHEDS AHG IDENTITYThe entity formerly known as AHG Refrigerated Logistics (AHGRL) is no more, with the company now owned by private equity firm Anchorage Capital Partners (ACP) announcing its rebranding.In it describes as "a new and exciting chapter for our business", it will now be known as ‘Scott’s Refrigerated Logistics’ or ‘ScottsRL’ in short form.As part of the new ownership’s move away from the AHG Refrigerated Logistics/AHGRL identity, it "will also begin to retire the current SRF, Rand and JAT brands", it states."Under our new name, we will be retaining the three legal entities that we currently trade with; Scotts Refrigerated Freightways Pty Ltd, Rand Transport (1986) Pty Ltd and JAT Road Transport Pty LTD," the company explains."What you will see over the course of the next few months is the new…1 min
Australasian Transport News (ATN)|Issue 409BLENNERHASSETTS HONOURED AS 2020 KENWORTH LEGENDSLes and Judy Blennerhassett of Blenners Transport have been recognised as the 2020 Kenworth Legends.Revealed during the Australian Trucking Association’s ATA Live broadcast recently, the Blennerhassetts were honoured for their achievements before sharing an insight into how they have grown their business to become the success it is today."Their journey to becoming one of North Queensland’s largest family owned rail and road transport operators started on a banana farm," the ATA says.In 1988, as a solution to their own transportation issues, the Blennerhassetts began operating a small fleet of vehicles that predominantly transported its own produce to market."Quickly, a broader need for reliable and efficient transport in the Far North was identified and in 1991, under the new name of Blenners Transport, the business began to expand," the ATA notes."Blenners…1 min
Australasian Transport News (ATN)|Issue 409QUBE SNAPS UP RURAL LOGISTICS FIRM AGRIGRAINQube has reached an agreement to acquire the business assets of Agrigrain, thereby strengthening its presence in north-central New South Wales.Agrigrain, gained for an undisclosed sum, brings with it logistics facilities in Narromine and Coonamble.The grain handling business also has a road transport arm in Castlemac Traders (CMT), which runs road train, B-double and truck and dog combinations delivering grain, pulses, seed and fertiliser nationwide.Between the Narromine and Coonamble sites, Agrigrain's business offers onsite services including seed and fertiliser management, silo and bulker storage, grain drying, grading and bagging and container packing, as well as road and rail transport options."Agrigrain offers services above and beyond large bulk handlers, maintaining a storing local presence," Qube notes."This, combined with Qube's market-leading integrated logistics solutions, provides regional exporters with direct access to world…1 min
Australasian Transport News (ATN)|Issue 409Haulage firms fined as EPA issues statutory notice reminderOperators not responding to statutory notices demanding information or assistance with investigations face penalties, the New South Wales Environment Protection Authority (EPA) warns, as two haulage firms learn the expensive way.NSW EPA reports it recently fined Tat 1 Transport Pty Ltd and KNC Haulage Pty Ltd a total of $7,500 for failing to respond to several statutory notices, requesting information and records in relation to an alleged illegal dumping investigation in Western Sydney.The fines relate to five separate statutory notices issued by the EPA in May and June.Tat 1 Transport received three penalty notices totalling $4,500, and KNC Haulage two penalty notices totalling $3,000.Each fine was for failing to comply with a statutory notice issued by the agency.EPA notes the investigation related to tracking vehicles suspected of being involved in…1 min
Australasian Transport News (ATN)|Issue 409PRODUCTIVITY COMMISSION RELEASES TRANSPORT REFORM REPORTThe federal Productivity Commission (PC) releases its National Transport Regulatory Reform inquiry report, with issues with the states front and centre.Though harmonisation reforms are given a broad tick, albeit with more to be done, the PC is concerned that, after a decade, Western Australia’s and the Northern Territory’s absence makes reform less than national and that states continue to undermined them through unnecessary derogations from the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) and Rail Safety National Law (RSNL).That said, the report makes the point that harmonisation "is a means not an end" and should only be pursued with due regard to benefits and costs. However, any derogations from national law should either be justified by evidence or removed.It is also critical on the lack of progress for industry from the reforms…1 min
Australasian Transport News (ATN)|Issue 409SUDA TO BECOME HINO AUSTRALIA CEOHino Australia chair and CEO Steve Lotter has announced he will retire at the turn of the new year, with current Hino Australia president and COO Sam Suda moving into the new role of president and CEO from January 1, 2021, after two years in his current role.“On behalf of Hino Australia, I would like to thank Steve for his dedication and leadership over the past 14 years,” Suda says.Lotter has enjoyed a 45-year career in the automotive industry, starting in 1975 at Thiess Toyota, which was the precursor to a 30-year career at Toyota Australia, before leaving briefly in 2005 to take on the role of COO at Kia Motors Australia.Encouraged back to the Toyota Group in 2006, he joined Hino Australia – part of the global Toyota Motor…1 min
Australasian Transport News (ATN)|Issue 409NICOLSON TP LEAD TM INSIGHT’S NZ ARMTM Insight has announced that former senior Kathmandu executive Caleb Nicolson will head its New Zealand arm.The company says this will strengthen its position across the Tasman at a time of rapid change in the market, and comes soon after acquiring XAct Solutions.Nicolson will also work alongside the company’s leadership team to deliver on TM Insight’s strategy to design and deliver supply chain solutions to customers across Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia.“Caleb is a recognised global industry leader in supply chain and retail and is best placed to help organisations in New Zealand with their supply chain transformations. His understanding of global best practice supply chain solutions and extensive local market knowledge will ensure organisations can capitalise on the rapid adoption of ecommerce,” TM Insight CEO and co-founder Travis…1 min
Australasian Transport News (ATN)|Issue 409HY ON THE AGENDAThe alternative truck-propulsion outlook is beset with experts of various stripes debating battery electric vehicles (BEV) versus hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCEV).Interestingly, global truckmakers and their prospective disruptors are fuelling this development – the former by having something of a bet each way and the latter by having the two biggest names, Tesla and Nikola, championing one or the other.This coalescing of positions – with the truckmakers settling on a mantra of battery electric for local and regional tasks and fuel cells for long-haul, or what passes for that in the US and Europe – has led to academics and experts to look deeper into the details.This, while energy companies including, increasingly, those operating in Australia, are progressing plans to get the hydrogen supply infrastructure in position to support what…6 min
Australasian Transport News (ATN)|Issue 409STAR’S PULLING POWERHave you ever gone into a lolly store with your mind set on one particular lolly, then by the time you get down to where that lolly is you’ve seen a half dozen more lollies that you just have to have? You know that feeling, right?How about I put it in a way that you can probably relate to a little easier. Have you ever gone into the bottle store to pick up a carton and then by the time you get to the cool store at the back you’ve ended up with a trolley full of scotch, rum and some ciders that just looked too good to pass by?Now you are with me, aren’t you! Well, metaphorically speaking, that was the sticky situation I found myself in when I…9 min
Australasian Transport News (ATN)|Issue 409SAFE AND SOUNDSafety is paramount, but of all the factors set to determine the future success or otherwise of Freightliner’s much anticipated Cascadia range, perhaps none will be more critical, nor more measured, than build quality. It is the single strand upon which all else pales in comparison, and on which all else must be mounted.Without it, Cascadia will almost certainly suffer the fate of numerous forebears, squeaking and rattling its way to mediocrity and generally failing to achieve the high expectations of corporate cohorts and customers alike.With it, Cascadia will succeed like no other Freightliner ever to call Australia ‘home’, finally building on the legacy of the original FLC112 model, which, with rock-solid reliability and enduring strength, created the potential for a great future.Sure, it is a potential that has remained…15 min
Australasian Transport News (ATN)|Issue 409CURRENT SOLUTIONSScania continues to provide diesel productivity gains, boosting performance of its flagship V8 even as it eyes EVsScania has unveiled a more powerful Euro 6 V8 engine and gearboxes that are lighter in weight and thirst in a major propulsion technology move.With increasingly clean and efficient internal combustion engines remaining necessary for particular heavy-duty functions for a long while yet, Scania hails the lifting of the DC16 123 V8’s on-road output to 770hp (574kW).It states that with the new G33 gearbox, “total savings can reach six per cent – or more – under the right conditions”.“While shifting to fossil-free transport, we must do everything to improve our current solutions,” Scania executive vice president and head of sales and marketing Alexander Vlaskamp says.“You cannot let your house burn down simply because…6 min
