MONEY to address unsafe loading and cargo restraint in international shipping containers has been welcomed by industry groups.
Funding from the Commonwealth was announced by Deputy Prime minister and infrastructure minister Michael McCormack as part of the Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative.
An application from Container Transport Alliance Australia to “promote best practice in shipping container packing, cargo load restraint and weight distribution” was among those confirmed to get funding.
CTAA director Neil Chambers thanked Deputy PM McCormack and the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator for seeing the value in raising awareness about the issue.
“This applies to cargo destined for export from Australia, as well as to cargo arriving as imports from overseas,” Mr Chambers said.
Mr Chambers said badly packed cargo inside shipping containers could cause serious heavy vehicle safety issues.
“This includes the heightened risk of truck rollovers, load shifts contributing to road accidents, and heavy vehicle axle mass breaches,” he said.
“Additionally, these issues can have a big impact on the safety of workers engaged in loading or unloading shipping containers.”
He noted the container transport logistics sector would experience significant growth during the next two decades, with the task expected to grow to more than 19M TEU by 2032/33.
FTA director Travis Brooks-Garrett said the money would allow FTA, APSA and CTAA to promote best practice in shipping container packing, cargo load restraint and weight distribution.
“These guidance materials and initiatives will assist importers to engage with their suppliers and packers overseas, and for exporters to review their packing and transport practices, to improve safety compliance,” Mr Brooks-Garrett said.
Another important project to receive money is $700,000 to help long-haul truckies with mental health issues as part of the 2019-20 Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative.
