Cootes out-jostles big-name trucking companies to service Shell's WA fuel operations, while Scott's expands presence in fuel sector
By Brad Gardner
Cootes Transport has out-jostled big-name trucking companies to service Shell’s fuel operations in Western Australia, with Adelaide-based Scott’s expanding its presence in the fuel sector.
Despite a bidding field involving Toll and Mitchell, Shell decided to continue it five-year relationship with Cootes, whose parent company is International Energy Services (IES).
In a boon for IES, Managing Director Vin Stenta tells ATN Cootes has also secured contracts with Shell Australia-wide.
“We do every capital city for them [Shell]. We have got everything locked in for the next five years,” Stenta says.
Northfuels—a division of the Scott’s group—will look after Shell’s operations in the Northern Territory, while also taking on new responsibilities in the top end of Western Australia.
“We have retained our current scope in the Northern Territory and we have received a letter of intent, which was to expand our portfolio in the Western Australian region,” a spokesman for Northfuels says.
The news follows the announcement last week that Toll had out-bid Victorian-based based Kalari to take over operations at Shell’s Newport terminal in Melbourne and refinery in Geelong.
As reported by ATN, Toll is expected to begin carrying fuel for Shell from September 1.
A spokesman for the fuel manufacturer declined to confirm the date, saying the company does not discuss contracts.
Shell’s Newport terminal is the company’s major distribution point in Victoria, capable of distributing over 200 million litres of fuel in Victoria and NSW.
Shell estimates its Geelong refinery, one of the largest hydrocarbon refineries in Australia, contributes $1.1 billion to the region.