Tasmanian freight operator TasRail says 40 new custom-built log transport containers should help ease the burden on the state’s roads. Source: ABC News
The containers were funded by a $1 million federal grant. They each carry 22 tonnes of logs, and TasRail CEO Damien White said the decrease in log trucks on Tasmanian roads would be noticeable.
“We keep getting plenty of messages from the community about getting freight on rail, and it’s important to note we think our role is about getting that non-time sensitive freight off the road, such as logs,” Mr White said.
“But roads still have a role to play with time-sensitive, perishable, express-type freight.”
Mr White said the new containers — dubbed logtainers — would add to an estimated 100,000 truck trips taken off Tasmanian roads annually by the rail freight system.
“In conjunction with our new freight terminal up in Georgetown, where we’re able to capture some container traffic, the logtainers collapse and we can load containers either on top of them or nest them and enable capacity for containers for south-bound freight.”
He said they would also significantly speed up the loading and unloading process and improve network efficiency.
“It gives them the advantage of being able to backload,” he said. “Where all the old logs, wherever they are involved, are committed to a one-way trip empty … it’s the backloading that’s the real advantage of it.”
