Re: FreightCorp preferred operator for Qld coal contract

["emd567" <emd567@hinet.net.au>]

Aus loco discussion mailing list

Perhaps it would have been better to post this on "railaustalk"
On the south Danny


----- Original Message -----
From: "TM" <tmid@ozemail.com.au>
To: <ausloco@listbot.com>
Sent: Thursday, March 02, 2000 11:36 AM
Subject: FreightCorp preferred operator for Qld coal contract


> Aus loco discussion mailing list
>
> The ROM coal industry newsletter reports:
>
> >AUSTRALIA, FreightCorp to Haul Coal in Queensland............
> >
> >Power generator Stanwell Corporation Ltd and coal miners and exporters
Jellinbah Resources Pty Ltd and Ensham Resources Pty Ltd have named
FreightCorp preferred operator for a 10-year contract to haul 6 million
tonnes per year of domestic and export coal in Central Queensland.
> >
> >This is a major achievement for FreightCorp as it moves to become a
national operator in Australia's rapidly evolving rail industry.
> >
> >The new rail service will be centred on the Blackwater to Gladstone rail
line, hauling coal from Blackwater region mines to Stanwell Power Station
near Rockhampton for domestic power generation and to the Port of Gladstone
for export.
> >
> >The three Queensland companies coordinated a rail haulage tender process
in November 1999, seeking to improve their competitiveness by reducing rail
freight costs.
> >
> >The service will be FreightCorp's first based in Queensland and its first
on a narrow gauge rail network, complementing other bulk haul operations in
NSW and South Australia.
> >
> >"The selection of FreightCorp as preferred operator by these important
companies is the result of a demonstrated capability for establishing
efficient bulk rail haul services on various routes in southern and eastern
Australia. This is the core strategy for FreightCorp," said FreightCorp
Chairman, Paul Espie.
> >
> >"FreightCorp will deliver real benefits to the companies and to regional
Queensland by way of new capital investment, reduced costs, service
innovation and operating efficiencies," he added.
> >
> >"These companies putting their rail haul requirements to tender, like
Flinders Power in South Australia - for whom we've hauled coal for a year
now - demonstrate the rapidly emerging national market for rail based bulk
products," Mr Espie continued.
> >
> >The arrangement between FreightCorp and Stanwell, Ensham and Jellinbah
will be the first major example of third party access to the Queensland rail
network.
> >
> >FreightCorp Managing Director, Lucio Di Bartolomeo, said the key issue in
finalising the contract will be negotiating access charges and conditions on
the Queensland rail system, which has not yet experienced competition from
other rail freight operators.
> >
> >"We are working closely with the Queensland Competition Authority and the
network owner, QR, to reach an acceptable commercial outcome so that the
service is up and running by late 2001," Mr Di Bartolomeo said.
> >
> >The FreightCorp service will be delivered using 2 train sets of 100
wagons each, operating on a continuous 24-hour per day, 365 days a year
basis. Train crew and other staff are to be hired locally, with the
operation locally managed from a base near Rockhampton.
> >
> >FreightCorp plans to invest over $70 million in narrow gauge locomotives
and rollingstock and construction of a new fleet maintenance facility in the
Rockhampton region.


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