Asciano secures $150m rail contract

Asicano’s Pacific National division will transport rail vans for Sadleirs between Melbourne and Perth, adding to a similar service it provides for the freight forwarding company between Sydney and Perth.

Under the deal, Pacific National will provide interstate rail haulage for all Sadleirs services to 2017.

Asciano said the emergence of positive trends in volumes signalled that the worst of the global economic crunch was over. 

Sadleirs managing director Ian Cook said the his firm believed rail would increase its market share over the other freight transport modes.

"Sadleirs is entering a new growth phase with redevelopment of its Kewdale, WA, rail freight terminal and the construction of a new rail freight terminal in Spotswood, Victoria, both due for completion later this year," Mr Cook said.