Queensland transport and logistics providers are temporarily shutting down their operations in anticipation of Tropical Cyclone Alfred hitting Brisbane and the state’s south-east coast today.
News reports claim Tropical Cyclone Alfred has been considered an unusual storm for some time due to its unique formation process, slow movement to Australia compared to other cyclones and its landfall destination being so far south.
A number of transport companies and truck dealerships in the area are clearing the decks and closing facilities.
The Brown and Hurley Group announced closures of its Caboolture, Darra and Yatala branches.
Elsewhere, Centurion similarly announced it had closed its Redbank, Rocklea, and Wacol depots in preparation of the storm hitting landfall.
Notable logistics companies have taken to social media to announce operational hold-ups and safety measures to put in place, with ACFS Port Logistics communicating its cyclone preparation plans online.
ACFS Port Logistics Managing Director and CEO, Arthur Tzaneros, spoke with Trailer and outlined these procedures further as he expressed particular concern for specific product lines.
“We are closing our facilities effective at midday for empty depots, and end-of-day shifts for transport, warehousing and FCL depots,” he said.
“With terminals and other logistics operators closed, the post-cyclone period will put significant strain on the supply chain to meet demand.
“We are greatly concerned about customers’ containers, including our shipping line empties, and have been planning for days on how to best execute a strategy to minimise this ‘act of God’ event. No stacking pattern or strategy will defend these containers if we end up in the eye of the storm.
“All mobile assets are being parked in the best possible locations, to safeguard against moving containers and other objects.”
Ahead of Tropical Cyclone Alfred’s collision with the coast, Queensland Trucking Association (QTA) CEO, Gary Mahon, made a public statement online sharing advice and insight for transport companies to help them prepare their staff and equipment and minimise risk where possible.
“It is important to ensure your businesses carry out their own severe weather preparation processes, including tying down any equipment or plant and securing all external equipment in the depot,” he said.
“We would encourage consideration being given to how you might undertake staging to either get access to freight in Brisbane or deliver to Brisbane, and/or the freight implications for clients that need to be serviced in Central or Northern Queensland.”
Interparcel CEO, Steve Zammit, said businesses should ensure the safety of their teams first and foremost.
“If you can work from home or pause operations for the day, do so,” he said.
“No shipment is worth risking safety.
“Additionally, sending parcels during the peak of the disruption can overwhelm already strained depots.
“Instead of pushing shipments into a backlog, consider temporarily holding onto them and clearly communicating expected delays to a customer.”
Clenton’s Transport was one of many port cartage providers bracing for impact.
“Tropical Cyclone Alfred is already wreaking havoc,” said Clenton’s Transport Managing Director, Jason Clenton.
“Port of Brisbane is shut,” he said. “No vessel movements. No exports leaving Australia.
“This isn’t the first time we’ve had to move fast when the industry grinds to a halt.”
Brisbane Isuzu at Burpengary made for an eerie sight yesterday after 100 trucks were cleared from the yard in a single afternoon.
Meanwhile, Team Global Express took to social media to address the uncertainty of the cyclone before it reached landfall.
“Like many, we’re watching closely and preparing,” the company said.
“Whilst cyclones this far south in QLD are unusual, TGE has weathered many such events across our network, and our team is drawing on this experience now.”
In addition to ensuring the security of ACFS Port Logistics’ equipment, Tzaneros also expressed extreme care for the company’s employees and has ensured measures be implemented to monitor their safety amid Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
“The safety of our drivers and operators is of the utmost importance, as our business does not operate successfully without a fully fit team of staff,” he told Trailer.
“We have taken proactive action to ensure they get home safely in a reasonable time frame, and all our permanent staff will be paid ordinary hours of work as if they were working.
“We are not deducting this from staff leave or any other entitlements.
“The focus will now be on supporting employees as required, for those materially affected by the impending cyclone.”
The Queensland Government further outlined preparation strategies for local citizens, including making a dedicated emergency plan for Tropical Cyclone Alfred’s hit, packing a ready kit and preparing psychologically. These outlines can be found here.
In other news, private equity firm, Allegro Funds, is reportedly looking to sell a major hydraulics group of companies.
