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ICHCA National Conference a Huge Success: Program
Draws Wide Praise
ICHCA supporters are eagerly looking forward to the International
ICHCA Conference in Melbourne in 2012 following the glowing response
to the 2010 National Conference held recently in Darwin.
Delegates were glowing in praise of the event with many nominating
the conference as the best value for money conference with the
highest value content they have attended for many years.
The conference featured an excellent range of high quality
speakers, a wide variety of interesting topics, an informative and
exciting industry tour and additional value adds such as a first
rate conference dinner with a guest speaker to match.
Thanks to strong support from sponsors, the conference was highly
affordable.
Many conference attendees also commented on the great hospitality
and warm welcome of the Darwin and Northern Territorian hosts.
The conference was opened by The Honourable Delia Laurie, Deputy
Chief Minister and Treasurer of the Northern Territory Government.
She set the scene by highlighting the NT Government’s support for
industry and its “can do” attitude. This inspiring perspective
linked well with the themes of the subsequent speakers that showed
how logistics and cargo handling challenges can be overcome.
Conference delegates gained a unique insight into up to date
developments, practical applications and great innovations that you
can only get by attending the conference as they go further than
merely reading conference papers.
Networking for a number of delegates proved to be most fruitful and
has opened up business opportunities for them.
Speaker presentations are now live on two websites:
http://www.safreightcouncil.com.au/safc_ichca.asp and
http://www.ichca.com/conference.htm
A list of speakers, sponsors and delegates is also shown on the
website.
Of the 80 attendees, 24% were from the NT, 71% from other States
and Territories and 5% from overseas.
ICHCA is setting the benchmark for cargo handling industry
conferences, so do not forget to register your interest in
sponsoring, speaking or attending the ICHCA International
Conference in Melbourne in April 2012. This International
Conference is being held in Melbourne thanks to the strong support
of its Foundation Platinum Sponsors Department of Transport
Victoria and Port of Melbourne Corporation.
During the next few editions of Inside ICHCA, summaries of some of
the excellent ICHCA Darwin conference papers will be featured.
FROM THE CONFERENCE
Economic
and Major Project Developments in the Northern Territory
•
Richard Jackson - Department of the Chief Minister NT Government
The
Northern Territory embarked on a strategy to grow international
trade at the end of last year. Markets which have been targeted are
Japan, China and Indonesia with supply and service, international
education and indigenous arts making up the niche sectors.
Mr Jackson provided detail on Darwin’s emergence as a key centre
for the gas industry which has been strongly pursued by the NT
government and the Darwin Port Corporation.
He outlined detail on Darwin’s role in current and future
opportunities associated with the gas developments in the Timor Sea
off WA and the untold opportunities which this strategy will offer
for Darwin.
The off-shore gas industry is seen as a major driver of the NT
economy over the next 40 years. The current and proposed
developments will provide the platform for that growth and the NT
is well placed to capture long-term service and supply business and
associated jobs.
For further information contact the NT Department of the Chief
Minister at majorprojects.info@nt.gov.au.
Solving
Logistics Challenges and Operating in Remote Areas
•
Brett Macdonald – Santos
The
ICHCA conference gained a fascinating insight into some of the
challenges facing major companies operating in remote areas. Mr
Macdonald provided an overview of the logistics operations of
Santos, an Australian energy pioneer since 1954 and one of the country’s
leading gas producers, supplying Australian and Asian customers.
Santos has 65,000 catalogued items with an inventory value of $115
million and spends about $35 million annually on logistics
services. The network is underpinned by the Regional Distribution
Centre (RDC) in Adelaide, Toll Express Depot in Whyalla, Toll
Energy Depot in Brisbane and the Toll Express Depot in Alice
Springs.
Mr Macdonald provided a fascinating picture of the challenges the
weather presents for logistics operators in remote areas. Santos
has approached its logistics challenges via capability development
through CBT, establishment of the Adelaide RDC, the contract to
Toll Energy, a back to basics review of systems and processes and
supply chain visibility.
The Santos 2010 logistics optimisation project aims to improve
requisitioner lead times, move workload from the field to the RDC,
reducing slow moving and obsolete inventory, improve transport
utilisation and review insurance and critical inventory.
Mr Macdonald said the effectiveness of the strategy was evident
through the success measures:
•
competency based training – 80% attainment of Cert 1 and 2
• DIFOT – increased delivery performance from 40 to 85%
• warehouse picking performance – increased from 45 to 98%
• cross-dock – reduced transit time from 14 to four days
• inventory accuracy – 95%
• transport satisfaction in the field – consistently achieving +95%
• inventory returns – target two, currently achieving 1.3.
The
Face of Logistics in Papua New Guinea
•
Mark Krueger - Frontier Supply Chain Consulting
Mark
Krueger gave a very informative and entertaining presentation on
the challenges faced by logistics companies operating in Papua New
Guinea. He said the country presented unique challenges and that
logistics costs were very high due to the risks of operations, a
monopolistic business environment, the high cost of finance and an
unprecedented demand for assets.
He said disruptions and delays were common due to port capacity
(Lae’s problems were provided as an example), the often poor state
of the roads and unreliable communications.
On communications in the country, Mr Krueger said the landline
network was deteriorating, radio infrastructure was often
vandalised and there was limited bandwidth and expensive data
services. However, mobile phone reliability and costs are
improving.
He said security presented risks with fuel and cargo loss or theft
a major issue and looting of transport not uncommon. In response,
Mr Krueger said the company has adopted innovative physical
security strategies, underpinned by holistic and strategic
approaches.
His advice in engaging with PNG-based clients is:
• look at a map and be informed
• talk to the right people to understand their systems
• visit the location and tour the supply chain
• be confident engaging with local staff
• inquire about packaging and protection.
Pictures
from top left to right:
Row 1:
Tony Grant Chairman ICHCA Australia Ltd, The Hon Delia Lawrie
Deputy Chief Minister & Treasurer NT Government, Richard
Jackson Dept of Chief Minister
Row 2:
John Strang Chairman ICHCA International with Llew Russel Shipping
Australia Ltd, Capt Bob Buchanan with John Warda JP Warda
Consulting, Gino Valento Fremantle Ports and John Strang
Row 3:
Robert Ritchie Darwin Port Corporation with Geoff Brown, General
Manager NT & SA, Wilhelmsen Ships Service , Ian Lovell
Conference Coordinator with Mel Marke Port of Townsville. Thanks to
John Ingster from Strang International for the photographs.
Darwin Industry Tour Produces an Added Bonus
Money Can’t Buy
One
of the many highlights of the Darwin Conference was the excellent
industry tour taking in the Port of Darwin, Intermodal Rail
Terminal and Darwin International Airport. Our thanks to:
• Rob Ritchie and his team for the visit to Fort Hill & East
Arm ports
• Scott Key for conducting the visit of the FreightLink intermodal
terminal
• Ian Kew and his team for the visit to Darwin International
Airport
All three elements of the tour were very interesting and
informative.
An added and unexpected bonus was the opportunity to get up close
with the awesome fighting machines of the Australian, Thai,
Singaporean and New Zealand airforces, which were in town for
exercise Pitch Black.
Thanks to Darwin International Airport the tour bus was able to be
beside the runway to see dozens of these machines take to the sky
on their way home from the exercise. Stunning!
The Tindal-based Red Force fought the Darwin-based Blue Force, with
fighter jets engaging in complex aerial battles over the Top End
for two weeks, in the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) premier
biennial air combat exercise.
According to Air Commodore Mel Hupfeld, Commander Air Combat Group,
"Pitch Black is a very complex high end training exercise
which has provided some very interesting and extraordinarily
challenging air combat opportunities for all of the crews.
The Red Force comprised RAAF F/A-18 Hornets and Hawks, while the
Blue Force involved Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and
Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) F-16 Fighting Falcons; and RAAF Hornets
and F-111s. They were supported by a Royal New Zealand Air Force
C-130, an RSAF E2-C Hawkeye Airborne Warning and Control aircraft
and an RSAF KC135 tanker.
FOOTNOTE: How hard is it for amateur photographers to manage to get
an action photograph of these speed machines as they are taking
off? Answer, very hard. Below is one of the better efforts from the
tour bus taken by John Ingster from Strang International.
ICHCA Lunch in Melbourne in September
Nick Probert from Strang Systems will be the guest speaker at the
upcoming ICHCA lunch in Melbourne on 23 September.
Mr Probert will speak on Safe Secure Zero Damage Loading Systems.
This presentation will cover new approaches for loading systems
The lunch cost is $75 for members and $85 for non-members. It will
be at The Stamford Plaza, 11 Little Collins Street at 11.45 for
noon finishing at 2pm.
RSVP to Sophie Buxton-Rella at sophie.buxtonrella@aecom.com.
APEC Formulates New Growth Strategy for Region
APEC
has committed to pursuing high quality growth in a statement from
the Growth Strategy High-Level Policy Roundtable held in Beppu,
Japan.
APEC’s new approach to growth reflects members’ continued belief
that free and open trade and investment is still key to regional
prosperity. It also recognises that economic growth should
incorporate other factors - such as environmental sustainability -
that are essential to future prosperity and citizen wellbeing.
Five attributes of quality growth have been selected for action,
namely balanced, inclusive, sustainable, innovative and secure
growth.
Full statement:
http://www.apec.org/apec/news___media/media_releases/20100808new_growth_strategy.html)
National Laws for Heavy Vehicles
In
mid-2009, following an extensive consultation process, the Council
of Australian Governments (COAG), agreed to establish a single
national system of laws for heavy vehicles over 4.5 tonnes. These
laws will be administered by an independent national regulator –
the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR). Located in Brisbane
the regulator and laws are to come into effect from 1 January 2013.
The objective of the NHVR is reduce the compliance burden for
business, improve Australia’s international competitiveness,
improve productivity and safety and make it easier for business to
operate across State and Territory borders. It is important to note
that each jurisdiction will retain its responsibility for
determining access approval. Current access variations implemented
through permit arrangements will continue to apply and
jurisdictions will retain capacity to make these arrangements with
the NHVR to meet local needs.
The new system is based on:
Efficiency
- laws for heavy vehicles worded the same in all states and
territories.
Safety
- a heavy vehicle industry focus with national monitoring and
reporting.
Productivity
- a national system for existing permit variations and to meet new
requirements.
Services
- national coverage for government dealings through local service
points.
Independence
- the NHVR will be a corporation established under statutory
authority.
Compliance
and enforcement - a unified strategy and approach.
Registration based on a national plate.
Transparency
and accountability with review for key decision making.
The national law will cover many of the same issues as existing
laws (for example registration, mass and loading, fatigue
management, as well as compliance and enforcement). Heavy vehicle
licensing laws will not form part of the proposed NHVR laws.
Licensing laws will remain under the administration of
jurisdictions. COAG has announced there will be a single physical
heavy vehicle licence and jurisdictions are working together in
this regard. Also, uniform licensing competencies are being
implemented but neither of these tasks are within the immediate
scope of the NHVR project.
Ultimately, it is intended that the national regulator will enable
owners and operators to conduct heavy vehicle business with
government from one place. This could mean, for example, that
registration could be renewed in any office and queries for permits
for access coordinated through a single point of contact.
The NHVR will be an independent body under statutory authority
established in Queensland and recognised by all States and
Territories.
While the NHVR office will be based in Queensland, it will provide
services through each existing state or territory road or transport
authority. For example, if you are an owner or operator in the
Northern Territory, you can still go to your local office and deal
with the same people you deal with now.
The NHVR will also be responsible for ensuring consistency in
operational policies and the services it provides, including
compliance and enforcement. All levels of government are working
together to develop the inter-governmental arrangements necessary
to implement and support the new national system.
A board has been established to oversee the project composing
senior transport and road agency officials. The chair is Menno
Henneveld, Managing Director of Main Roads Western Australia and
includes Alan Tesch (Deputy Chair) (Qld), Michael Bushby (NSW),
Gary Liddle (Vic), Nick Dimopoulos (NT) and Lyn O’Connell
(Commonwealth).
Angus Draheim is the Interim Project Director based in Brisbane.
Angus is on secondment from his position as a Director in the
Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads and has a strong
background in national transport reform and the regulation of the
heavy vehicle industry.
The Project Director’s role is to manage the development and
implementation of the new national system and coordinate activities
across all governments to ensure the best outcome
is achieved.
The board and project office will strongly engage with each State
and Territory and industry to ensure meaningful reform. An
independent expert panel has been formed to provide advice to the
board on a range of key policy issues including the major
differences in the fatigue laws, offence and penalty treatments and
annual inspections. The first report of the panel is due to the
board soon with a final report in mid-2011.
Critical to the success of the project is consultation and
engagement. An early priority is the establishment of an industry
advisory group. Other mechanisms will be used to ensure that
consultation and engagement is broad ranging and reaches out to
communities and the industry at large. This will include
face-to-face meetings and discussion forums in the States and
Territories including visits to key regional centres. Further
detail, including forthcoming events, where and how consultation
and engagement will occur, will be made available as soon as
possible. In addition to a regular newsletter there will be a
website including subscriber service. The board and project office
welcome advice and input and are committed to continually seeking
community and industry input from all those affected by the reform.
About 360 law variations have been initially identified by the NTC.
Many of these are caused by factors such as differences in legal
and law enforcement systems and drafting practices. Although
technically different, they result in similar outcomes.
Many of these issues have been resolved by jurisdictions agreeing
to use a single drafting approach to be proposed in the NHVR laws.
Some issues require policy consideration and have been escalated to
the independent expert panel for advice.
Other policy issues are under the further consideration of
jurisdictions and will require board consideration to resolve an
agreed approach before further consultation and engagement.
COAG agree that the NHVR and national laws will be fully
established by 1 January 2013.
For more information contact Angus Draheim at e-mail info@nhvr.gov.au.
US Grain Handler to Expand Commodity Operations in
Australia
The
Omaha, Nebraska-based grain handler, the Gavilon Group, is to
expand its operations in Australia with the opening of a second
trading office in Brisbane. The company’s expansion in Australia
follows deregulation of the Australian grain market a couple of
years ago.
The
new Brisbane office will augment Gavilon’s procurement,
transportation, logistics, marketing, distribution and risk
management services in the Asia-Pacific region. International
Division President, David Levine, said the company was keen to
expand its participation in the Australian origination market.
Established
over 130 years ago as a grain handler, Gavilon now operates in over
200 locations on six continents, managing one of the largest global
grain merchandising operations and feed ingredient businesses in
the United States and running one of the largest fertiliser
distributions networks in the world.
Gavilon
also provides storage, transportation and logistics services in the
global energy market for crude oil, natural gas, natural gas
liquids and renewables, including ethanol, biodiesel and biomass.
World's First Hybrid Tugboat to Get a Sibling
Foss
Maritime Company, builder and operator of the world’s first hybrid
tugboat, will soon add another pioneering vessel to its Southern
California fleet with the help of an air quality grant obtained by
the Port of Long Beach.
Building
on the success of Foss’ Carolyn Dorothy hybrid tug, which was
launched into service at the Port of Long Beach in 2009, Foss will
retrofit an existing tug with hybrid technology for service in San
Pedro Bay, thanks to a $1 million grant from the California Air
Resources Board (CARB) to the Port. The project will be implemented
through a partnership between Foss, the Port of Long Beach and the
Port of Los Angeles.
“The
Foss /Aspin Kemp and Associates hybrid technology is already
proving its worth on the Carolyn Dorothy,” according to Richard
Cameron, Director of Environmental Planning at the Port of Long
Beach. “We believe the retrofit will be the next step in
hybrid technology evolution.”
Foss
will retrofit the Campbell Foss, a conventional dolphin tug
currently assisting oceangoing vessels in the San Pedro Bay. The
boat will be retrofitted with motor generators, batteries and
control systems.
The
goal is to achieve significant reductions in pollution emissions
while enhancing fuel efficiency and operational capabilities.
Projected annual emissions reductions per year include:
• more than 1.7 tons of diesel particulate matter
• more than 53 tons of oxides of nitrogen
• more than 1.2 tons of reactive organic gases
• more than 1,340 tons of carbon dioxide.
In
addition, more than 100,000 gallons of diesel fuel will be saved
each year.
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