TASRAIL has reported a 10.5% increase in total freight volumes during 2017-18, infrastructure minister Jeremy Rockliff says.
The increase was in comparison with reported volumes from 2016-17 and reportedly was influenced by growth in forestry and intermodal volumes.
TasRail has reported several records in terms of general containerised freight with a record 4687TEU hauled in November 2017, since beaten with a figure of 5125TEU in October 2018 and 5356TEU in November 2018.
Mr Rockliff said the steady growth was expected to continue with timber volumes growing 24% in the past year and plantation timber carried on rail for the first time.
“TasRail’s improved capacity and capability is attracting strong interest in rail as an efficient and sustainable part of the supply chain,” Mr Rockliff said.
He said a record $240m investment by the Tasmanian and Commonwealth governments into the Tasmanian Freight Rail Revitalisation Program had enabled TasRail to significantly upgrade rail infrastructure.
