A newly opened $25 million freight transfer terminal is expected to take up to 135,000 trucks off the road each year, with more freight being moved by rail.
The Kenwick Intermodal Terminal (IMT) in Western Australia was officially opened yesterday.
It’s expected that around 200,000 containers will be moved annually by rail between Fremantle Port, the future Westport and Kenwick.
Located within Arc Infrastructure’s rail freight facility, the terminal allows for the movement of container freight between rail and road by connecting to the Roe Highway Logistics Park, industrial warehouse precincts and major road freight routes.
Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said that improving the efficiency and resilience of supply chains, particularly in Western Australia, is a priority for the federal government.
“Western Australia continues to be a big driver of the national economy, and ensuring freight movement is as efficient as possible will continue to grow the economy and create new jobs for Western Australians,” said King.
A state government incentive is also helping to make it more competitive for people to move the freight by rail rather than by road.
All fully loaded containers that move between Kenwick IMT and Fremantle Port are eligible for the $50 per 20ft equivalent unit container rail subsidy.
The WA state government has set a target of moving 20 per cent of container freight via rail. There are also plans for a new Westport container port to help facilitate this.
WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti commented: “The opening of the Kenwick IMT is a great step forward in our Government’s plans to build an efficient and resilient supply chain that can stand up to future demand.
“We have made it a strategic priority to increase the volume of freight on rail because we know it improves efficiency and safety, while reducing traffic congestion and vehicle emissions.”
Saffioti continued, “Our Westport planning has shown that containerised freight will grow significantly in the coming decades and the Kenwick IMT gives us a welcome capacity injection into our network.
“Together with other hubs in Kewdale and Forrestfield, it is an important part of our landside logistics that will complement a world-leading and sustainable port in Kwinana.
“Hundreds of thousands of shipping containers can be moved via rail through this facility, freeing up our road network and establishing a logistics hub to support our state’s long-term freight transport needs.”
State Member for Forrestfield Stephen Price, added, “The opening of this new IMT is another important step in driving the creation of new jobs, and will also improve road safety and congestion by getting more trucks off our roads.”
Released in November last year, the preferred Westport design includes a new port in Kwinana, supported by an upgraded road and rail freight network and intermodal terminals at Kenwick, Kewdale and Forrestfield.
The Kenwick Intermodal Terminal jointly funded by the Australian and Western Australian Governments ($5 million each) and Arc Infrastructure ($15 million).
135000 trucks off the road in WA what a load of rubbish 🤐
Hi , we shipped A 40’ container by rail from Cairns to Brisbane , it Cost $900 to by truck from our Yard to train yard , 15 km 👀, rail transport $1300 from cairns to Brisbane . Side loader picked up in Brisbane & transported 30km , $1200 , you work out where the Problem is , we also have an Earthmoving company with Tippers , we were Shocked at the Truck transport Costs , I thought train transport was Great .
Ok , Thanks
I call bullshit trains don’t deliver just puts most in the city
You take 135,000 trucks off the road you say how do the containers get to and from the freight terminal hand trolleys?
Yep, most of rail costs are the pick up and delivery.
Prime mover… 600k
Trailer… 300.
A million just to kick off.
And what about the Drivers and their families no job no money coming in the home if this is possible to do which I don’t believe it. Is it is a Government that does not care about the Drivers and their families where is the union standing on this matter or are they going to roll over and let us all get screwed over again