This week Diesel News is talking about Linfox, Single Axle A-doubles and Scania Releases.
Linfox has said it is investing in the future of its customers and the Northern Territory with the construction of the Linfox Darwin Intermodal Facility. Situated next to the Darwin railhead, the 3,000m2 purpose-built facility will create up to 15 ongoing local jobs.
“Each year the Intermodal team shifts more than 15 million pallets for Australia’s retailers using its multi-modal freight network,” said Linfox CEO, Annette Carey. “Linfox has an extensive footprint in the Northern Territory, with sites in Darwin, Katherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs. This new investment increases our capacity and makes it easier for our customers to move inbound and outbound goods throughout the region.
“A chilled storage area will enable temperature-controlled products to be safely stored during transit and broadens our cold-chain network.”
The Linfox Darwin Intermodal Facility complements the capabilities of Linfox’s long-distance road, rail and coastal shipping distribution services and follows the recent expansion of its Healthcare and Defence logistics capabilities.
Site construction was completed in May. The facility will deliver on Linfox’s environmental commitment with a 100kW battery-ready solar system to reduce the site’s carbon emissions. It also features rainwater harvesting and LED lighting.
Load Restraint
The National Transport Commission (NTC) has released a new draft version of its Load Restraint Guide, designed to provide drivers, operators, and other participants in the transport chain of responsibility with practical advice on how to safely transport a load.
NTC is seeking feedback on the draft guide to make sure it is clear, user friendly and based on the best available evidence about how to safely move the majority of loads carried by trucks in Australia.
“We have listened to our stakeholders who have told us the biggest issue is that the current guide would be easier to comply with if it was easier to understand,” said Geoff Allan, NTC Acting CEO. “Items falling from trucks can cause collisions, deaths and injuries and contribute to congestion and environmental damage. The aim is to improve freight operators’ understanding of how to properly restrain loads.”
Allan said it was important make sure the new guide was accurate, up to date and reflected the practices that had developed since the last edition was published in 2004.
The draft third edition of the guide is available on the NTC’s website and consultation is open until 5.00pm, 4 August.
Single-Axle A-Double
The partnership of South East Queensland Haulage (SEQH) and Haulmark Trailers has come up with a PBS-approved single-axle A-double, which will cart empties, two 40ft containers or four 20ft containers. The partnership also pioneered the A-double, which has been a success hauling grain containers out of the darling Downs into Brisbane Port.
SEQH will use the A-doubles to cart import and export containers between the port and its Hemmant depot. In 2011, SEQH set up a depot in Toowoomba and use A-doubles to run between the depots, again making light work of a large volume of containers.
New Engines and Models
In Europe, Scania is introducing a new generation of Euro-VI V8 engines at 520, 580 and 650hp. The Swedish truck maker claims they can reduce fuel consumption by seven to 10 per cent for customers with vehicles at high masses and high average speeds, or both.
In continuing the major rollout it began last year, Scania has announced the order books are now open on a new generation of Scania’s five-cylinder engines, as well as the first variants of the new G cab. A number of services and performance enhancements are also being introduced, with most sharing a focus on improving productivity and total operating economy for European long-distance and forestry trucks.
“Scania has significantly more on its introduction schedule for 2017 than there was during the extremely intense 2016 launch,” said Alexander Vlaskamp, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Scania Trucks. “We’re now rapidly filling our new range with products and services so that the majority of customers can tailor solutions around Scania’s new generation of trucks, regardless of what application their truck is used for.”