Logistics News

Link heads Hobart Airport freight facility line

Airport comes a step closer to international market

 

Link Logistics has become the first tenant of Hobart Airport’s new freight handling facility and commercial precinct.

The freight forwarding company is investing more than $3 million in a cold store facility there, comprising 1000 square metres of freezer and 735 square metres of chiller space.

The 7.5-hectare precinct is a $13 million-dollar venture enabling local businesses to freight stock directly from Hobart to export destinations. It’s located approximately 800m south of main terminal, with completion of the first phase of the project due for December.

Link Logistics’ Tasmanian managing director Chris Fox says the cold store is environmentally friendly compared to current conventional systems and will provide numerous competitive advantages.

“The new cold store will enable planes to land, be filled with Tasmanian produce and be sent directly to their destination allowing market-sensitive produce such as fresh seafood, meat and fruit to be sent quickly and directly,” he says.

“The movement of perishable cargo is not just a transport transaction. Maintaining product quality and maximising shelf life is paramount. Link Logistics can also ensure quality control, product grading and sorting, racking, cooling, branding and labelling.”

Along with Tasmania, Link Logistics has a presence in Melbourne, Sydney and Shanghai.


A Tasmanian Budget with $2.6 billion aimed at infrastructure has struck the right chord with freight transport interests. Read more, here


Hobart Airport CEO Sarah Renner says that, once operational, the new precinct will unlock markets for local producers looking to meet demand for Tasmanian produce around Australia and overseas.

“Once the freight handling facility and commercial precinct are operational, Tasmanian export businesses have a very attractive and efficient option. Growers of high-value, high quality produce will truly be able to put their best foot forward in delivering to market,” Renner says.

“Currently Tasmanian producers of goods for export are required to have their freight delivered to the north-west coast by truck, from there it is loaded onto a ship and taken to Melbourne or Sydney, before being transferred onto an aircraft and delivered to the country of destination by air.”

Phase one of the project also involves construction of three warehouses, a road network and opening the rest of the land for the construction of more warehouses in the future, with tenancies of up to 2000sqm available.

Renner also confirms international flights are part of the future agenda of the airport.

“While international flights are not currently part of our service offering at Hobart Airport, we continue to work closely with airlines and the State Government to investigate potential international flight and freight opportunities.”

 

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