EES Shipping is committed to keeping clients up to date with the latest events across the supply chain – and with peak season upon us, it’s important customers are aware of current difficulties facing the rail network.
Ongoing flooding across central New South Wales has forced the closure of the network, impacting train services between Sydney/Brisbane and Perth. Current estimates suggest the network won’t be fully operational until early December.
Added to this is the recent derailment in Western Victoria, which has forced the closure of the rail line between Melbourne and Adelaide/Perth.
While it’s fortunate that no injuries were reported, the derailment of eight wagons left at least 20 shipping containers piled on top of each other, with the clean up and subsequent track repairs expected to result in services being delayed for a number of weeks.
While government statistics show the east-west freight lines are the busiest in the country, most of Australia’s cargo is currently transported by road. For example, more than 90% of cargo unloaded at the Port of Melbourne is moved by truck.
The recent events impacting train services will cause delays, however, urgent deliveries will still be able to be transported via sea freight and/or road. Space remains available on the fortnightly coastal sailings from Sydney and Melbourne to Fremantle, with additional space to be made available.
Road transport from the eastern states also remains available, although please be aware space on these services will likely be in higher demand than usual, and be taken quickly on a first come-first served basis.
As always, we pride ourselves on providing the most current information, and we will continue to provide updates as rail services come back online.
In the meantime, please get in touch with our office should you require bookings or pricings.
