The supply chain that services the Port of Fremantle faces significant disruption.
This follows the closure of the Fremantle Traffic Bridge on 1 February 2026.
Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA), Container Transport Alliance Australia (CTAA) and the Western Roads Federation (WRF) have formed an industry group bringing together container terminals, road and rail operators, empty container parks, exporters, shipping lines and freight forwarders.
The group is focused on managing the freight task once traffic is diverted onto the Stirling Bridge and surrounding road network.
The closure is expected to place additional pressure on already constrained infrastructure, particularly during peak commuter periods, with impacts extending beyond freight to the wider community.
FTA Head of Business Operations, John Park, who has been nominated to chair the industry group, said the onus was on industry to act.
“It is up to industry to find solutions that lessen likely impacts of congestion on freight costs and delays,” said Park.
“Big infrastructure changes like this don’t just impact trucks, they impact commuters, local businesses and supply chains. Without sensible planning, congestion will increase across the network.”
The group has urged the Government of Western Australia not to restrict truck access to the Port during peak periods as a congestion management tool. Industry warned such measures would simply shift the problem elsewhere.
“That would simply push congestion to other hours of the day and cause an unacceptable spike to freight operating costs,” said Park.
Industry representatives reported the Government expects freight operators to pursue solutions such as expanded night and weekend operations and greater use of rail capacity where available.
Discussions have centred on practical measures to reduce truck movements during peak times, including increased off-peak and night-time deliveries, greater utilisation of rail and improved coordination between terminals, transport operators, empty container parks and customers to smooth freight flows.
The group also renewed its call for approval of Higher Productivity Freight Vehicles (HPFVs) to and from the Port, including loaded 40’/40’ container configurations. While not currently approved, industry claims HPFVs could cut truck trips by 25 per cent or more, delivering congestion, safety and emissions benefits.
“Rightly, the Government is proud of the percentage of container freight moved to/from the Port of Fremantle by rail … it is the largest percentage in Australia,” said Park.
“However, HPFV access could be designed to not impact on the rail market share, yet deliver significant productivity, safety and environmental performance wins by reducing truck traffic by at least 25 per cent or more.”
FTA, CTAA and WRF said freight efficiency is critical to Western Australia’s economy, supporting exporters, importers and consumers, and warned congestion and delays ultimately increase costs across the supply chain.
“Industry is not waiting for problems to emerge,” said Park. “We are united, prepared to work together, and offering solutions that can help manage the impacts of the Fremantle Traffic Bridge closure for the benefit of the entire community.”
The industry group will continue assessing operational and cost impacts, with further updates expected as planning progresses.
In other news, the $225 million Reid Highway Interchanges Project aims to improve freight efficiency in Perth’s north-eastern suburbs.
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