WA Port Operations Task Force Meeting 2 June ... - Fremantle Ports

Truck tracking systemAll trucks servicing Pt Botany must now be fitted with RFID tags to capturemovements of trucks within the Port precinct. This will allow accurate data onarrival, queuing and departure times and will enhance the monitoring of theperformance standards. For example, truck queue time, not previously included inTTT, will be captured once the full truck tracking system is turned on later thisyear.3. Rail Developments(i) InfrastructureThree significant pieces of rail infrastructure are currently being planned:Intermodal terminal development in the Kewdale/Forrestfield area - findingsof the evaluation work on 2 prospective sites will be presented at the TaskForce meetingStage 2 of the North Quay Rail Terminal which will extend the terminal toeither 600m or 750m sidings (currently 400m). This will allow both moreefficient handling of trains (600m trains currently have to be broken up) andbetter access to the DPW terminal.Development of a crossing loop on the North Quay-Cockburn section whichis single track with no passing capacity. This loop will be essential to railcapacity and efficient train operations as rail volumes build.Funding of $53.5m for infrastructure along the rail supply chain has beencommitted by both Commonwealth and State Governments. The funding programextends to 2013/14 and all planning is focussed on ensuring the developmentsoccur before then.(ii) Rail volumesRail has been hit hard by the combined effect of a number of factors over the lastcouple of years including:a reduction in trade volumes due to the GFC which intensified competitionfrom road carriers and reduced freight rates;changes to international grain marketing arrangements which deregulated bulkgrain exports and reduced the volumes of grain containers, a key cornerstonetraffic for the rail container service;a poor grain harvest in WA and a good one in the eastern states in 2010 which,coupled with low blue water rates from the east coast ports, has seen mostgrain container exports swing over to the east coast;loss of the Magellan task due to suspension of that company’s activities; and2