Fremantle Traffic Bridge Update - Government Position and Forum Recap

Yesterday, Wednesday 7 January, John Park, Head of Business Operations - FTA | APSA chaired a forum convened by Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA), Container Transport Alliance Australia (CTAA) and Western Roads Federation (WRF) of industry participants that included container terminals, transport operators, empty container parks, rail providers, exporters and freight forwarders

The forum was convened following a meeting called by the Department of Transport (DoT) on 15 December and subsequent correspondence between FTA and the Director General of the DoT. At the 15 December meeting, the DoT flagged the possibility of restricting loaded container trucks from using the Stirling Bridge and nearby freight routes during morning and/or afternoon peak periods. Correspondence since received has advised that, at this stage, no restrictions will be implemented.

Industry should continue planning under normal access conditions, while being prepared for the potential of peak-hour limitations.

7 January recap -  Fremantle Traffic Bridge Closure Industry Forum

Key outcomes and focus areas included:
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Rail capacity and operating windows

• Additional rail capacity is expected to come online
• Discussions are underway regarding the potential softening of operating windows by the Public Transport Authority (PTA)
• Increased rail use where viable can reduce pressure on the road network

Members are strongly encouraged to:

• Ensure EiDO PINs are provided to transport / rail as early as possible
• Submit PRAs accurately and within required timeframes
• Timely EDO and PRA processes will materially assist terminals in breaking down container stacks and accelerating container movements across the supply chain.

Shipping Line free time

Members should take detention free time into consideration. Any requests for additional free time from shipping lines need to be made at the time of booking at origin, as late requests may not be accommodated. Early planning will help maintain smooth landside operations and avoid congestion or storage issues at terminals.

Reducing peak-period congestion

Practical, industry-led measures discussed include:

• Greater use of off-peak, night and weekend operations - (both stevedores committed to offering extended shifts HOWEVER these need to be taken up by industry )
• Improved coordination between terminals, transport operators and customers - (pick up the phone let the various entities know if you will be late of have special requirements)
• Advocacy for trials of High Productivity Freight Vehicles (HPFVs) (not currently approved), which industry believes could reduce the overall number of truck movements to and from the port
• Industry needs to provide their clients with as much detail as possible on the closure and steps that need to be taken to reduce congestion (forewarned is forearmed)

Ongoing advocacy and engagement

FTA, CTAA and WRF will continue coordinated engagement with government agencies, other industry groups and the media to highlight operational and cost impacts and to advocate for practical, non-divisive policy settings.

Flowing from the forum, FTA, CTAA and WRF will also convene two targeted streams of work:

• Boosting the take-up of additional rail capacity as it comes on stream, including early container tagging, ensuring EiDO PINs and PRAs are in place well ahead of vessel arrival, and exploring opportunities such as through Bills of Lading to support smoother modal shift; and
• Higher Productivity Freight Vehicles (HPFVs) - developing and presenting to the Minister a strengthened case for a trial of HPFVs (including loaded 40'/40' combinations) to and from the Port of Fremantle, limited to access routes that do not compete with rail catchment areas.

Members are encouraged to factor these developments into operational planning and to support initiatives that improve container flow, reduce peak-period pressure, and ensure smooth handling of detention timelines wherever possible.

To support industry representation, we also invite members to share views on the cost savings and operational efficiencies that could be realised if HPV were approved.

Further updates will be provided as discussions progress.