New ships and upgraded facilities to aid capacity and efficiency
Toll expects to see its Bass Strait trade investments become an operational reality next March.
The intermodal giant states that its $311 million investment to boost Bass Strait trade will see shipping capacity increase significantly between the mainland and Tasmania, “supporting economic growth and rising demand for local produce”.
Toll Group MD Michael Byrne says the investment includes $170 million to build two new ships and $141 million to upgrade terminals, wharves and berthing facilities in Melbourne and Burnie.
Read how the Toll shipbuilding deal came about here
“This is the largest-ever investment by a logistics business in the Bass Strait, and underpins Toll’s commitment to the Australian domestic market and the Bass Strait trade,” Byrne says.
“Toll is the gateway between Tasmania and mainland Australia.
“We are proud to support the state’s local economy by helping businesses reach interstate and international markets.
“Equally important, Tasmanian consumers depend upon Toll to import products, particularly retail goods, and we are proud to support this exchange.
“Bolstering our carrying capacity means we can support the Tasmanian exports boom driven by demand from Australian and Asian markets.
The outcome is expected to be:
- 40 per cent more capacity for containers and trailers, with later cut-off times and earlier receivals
- increased capability and capacity to handle refrigerated freight
- faster turnaround times for customers due to terminal upgrades at McGaw Wharf and Webb Dock, providing more efficient loading and discharge of the ships.
The new 700TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit of shipping containers) purpose-built ships are due to start operations on March 1.
They will replace Toll’s existing ships, and continue to operate overnight services on a six-day per week schedule.
Works to update the wharves have commenced at Webb Dock in Melbourne. They are scheduled to begin in Burnie later this month.
The Bass Strait trade is experiencing an equipment renaissance at present.
The new Toll ships’ arrival will join those of Searoad, one of which has plied the strait for 18 months, and those of Spirit of Tasmania, expected in 2021.