NATIONAL NEWS

Toll jumps to defence

TOLL capped its restructure announcement this week with news of a Department of Defence relocation contract that could be worth as much as $2bn over nine years.

Sydney street left green, truck driver red-faced

 

WWL drops Patrick for Melbourne ro-ro

WALLENIUS Wilhelmsen Logistics (WWL) will use P&O Automotive and General Stevedoring (POAGS) instead of Patrick as its Melbourne stevedore, the vehicle carrier said on Monday.

Pilots await court ruling

THE NEWCASTLE Port Corporation and its marine pilots have applied for salary consent arbitration in a bid to settle a year-long pay dispute which has threatened to halt operations at the world’s largest coal port.

Airfreight takes off to satisfy hungry markets

THE AIRFREIGHT industry was poised to enjoy a rise in import volumes over October as Australian businesses ordered more goods in preparation for the festive season, Maritrade director David Bendall said.

Offshore combatants set to strike a deal

EMPLOYERS and the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) have settled down to negotiate a new offshore energy enterprise bargaining agreement (EBA) after two days of industrial action affecting Farstad Shipping last week.

Premature ending for ‘unseaworthy’ Doulos

THE WORLD’S oldest ocean-going passenger ship, Doulos, has been declared unseaworthy and is to be decommissioned.

Patrick data shows lift at Port Botany

UNDER siege from criticism of its Port Botany performance, Patrick’s stevedoring operations at the port appear to be heading in the right direction, according to data supplied by parent-company Asciano.

Westgate Ports sees beyond paper progress

HAVING settled Australian Paper into its new Melbourne port warehouse, Westgate Ports has been looking for a customer to support a new, larger building at its Victoria Dock site.

BBI to maintain Dalrymple Bay link as deal gets done

BABCOCK & Brown Infrastructure (BBI) intends to retain part, or all, of its remaining ownership in Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal (DBCT) after it last week handed over a significant stake in the terminal to Brookfield Asset Management.

Paul Weedon is the new Tasports chief executive

SEASONED ports and logistics executive Paul Weedon will take up his new role as Tasmanian Ports Corporation (Tasports) chief executive early in the new year after leaving his post as chief operating officer of Sydney Ports Corporation, Tasports announced last week.

Forwarders told they may be bound by Rotterdam Rules in any case

AUSTRALIA may not be able to escape the Rotterdam Rules even if the Federal Government refuses to sign up, according to insurance and risk management services provider the TT Club.

Private concerns still to gauge value of QR assets

The long slow fuse is burning on the sale of Queensland Rail – a sale that will change the face of Australian rail. But precisely what will emerge when the vapour disperses and a plan finally sees the light of day? PAUL BUGLER* analyses the situation

Long-term planning the funding key – IA chief

AUSTRALIA’S transport industry has to abandon its obsession with seeking more funding and re-focus its thinking on better long-term planning, Infrastructure Australia chief executive Michael Deegan told Rail Express.

No word on pending Port Botany, Enfield decisions

SYDNEY Ports Corporation has given no clear timeframes on three overdue announcements relating to Port Botany and the long-delayed Enfield intermodal development.

Ports seek national approach

SOME of Australia’s most senior port executives will meet in Melbourne next week to develop a response to a push towards nationalised cargo data.

Yamba Shipping closes its port operations

STEVEDORE Yamba Shipping has closed its operations at the northern New South Wales port after its main customer, Lord Howe Island Seafreight, relocated its operations to Port Macquarie.