Coode Road closure expected to give more impetus to intermodal operation
DP World Australia and SCT Logistics have dubbed their Melbourne container rail shuttle trial a success and have started the weekly service in earnest.
The service, trials for which began in March, brings up to 81 TEU direct from SCT’s Altona depot to the dock at DP World’s West Swanson terminal.
“We’re excited to work with SCT Logistics on the first of many rail services at Swanson Dock through the DP World Australia terminal,” DP World Australia chief commercial officer Brian Gillespie says.
“With the anticipated closure of Coode Road in the near future, we’re expecting an upswing in the number of trains accessing the terminal.
“DP World Australia and SCT Logistics are proving that metropolitan rail shuttles between West Swanson Terminal and Altona can work.”
The intermodal solution comes amid forecasts that freight volumes could double in Victoria by about 2030.
Intermodal networks will need to grow to accommodate for the rise in container volume.
DP World Australia and SCT say they recognise the ever increasing congestion and productivity impacts presently being felt through the Melbourne Metropolitan supply chain and see real value in rail helping to offset these issues.
Both are confident that the service will continue to grow and provide importers and exporters in the western suburbs of metropolitan Melbourne a reliable metropolitan on-dock rail service at the port of Melbourne.