FREIGHT & Trade Alliance and the Australian Peak Shippers Association partnered with SCT Logistics today (11 December) to host a breakfast and site tour with insights into SCT’s landside operations in Altona, Melbourne.
SCT said the experience displayed the rail logistics company’s capabilities to international freight forwarders in Melbourne with a national interest.
More than 100 industry representatives were present for the event. They received an operational demonstration of cross-docking from an international container filled with cartons into a domestic container and a site tour of the SCT intermodal facility highlighting rail, maintenance, operational facilities and development land opportunities.
“In a period of increasing vertical integration, where stevedores are moving to acquire national container transport capabilities, it is crucial for this industry to recognise these shifts and consider forward-thinking strategies,” FTA general manager trade policy & operations Sal Milici said.
“As the landscape evolves, industry players are encouraged to assess options that enhance flexibility and maintain competitive reach. Partnering with SCT will enable international freight forwarders to do so.”
SCT Victorian state manager David Nash said the industry is based on customer service, sales and ability to co-ordinate freight needs from origin to destination.
“We have trucks, locomotives, rail rolling stock and, cross dock facilities in all major cities and we rarely compete with international freight forwarders,” he said.
And SCT general manager of ports development Matt Eryurek said the company can create opportunities for major international shipping lines to build warehouses at any of its seven key locations around Australia, linking them to ports and national rail network.
The company has a presence in all major Australian cities.
“Alternatively, we can enable these forwarders to land containers into our operations without double handling, in turn distributing this freight by rail or road throughout Australia,” Mr Eryurek said.
“This type of efficiency provides cost saving and reduces carbon outputs due to less double handling and greener rail linehaul options.”
SCT is planning further events at its site in Penfield, South Australia and Forrestfield, Western Australia.
