<p>Toll and its Asciano spin-off threw gauntlets down to much of Australia’s transport and logistics industry at their joint conference call yesterday (Monday, April 23).</p> <p>Asciano managing director-designate Mark Rowsthorn put QR and Western Australian rail operators on notice.</p> <p>With Pacific National “expecting double-digit growth”, Mr Rowsthorn said: “We don’t participate in (the Queensland and WA bulk markets) now but plan to”.</p> <p>He discounted the challenge of Hutchison Port Holdings as a likely or imminent third stevedore, emphasising container line demand for national coverage and noting that expansion in Port Botany would go to Patrick and that Melbourne had no plans for a third stevedore.</p> <p>In the meantime, Asciano had five years to look after its customers in Brisbane and Sydney.</p> <p>Toll roads and airports would be in the company’s sights along with expansion in North America.</p> <p>Toll managing director Paul Little confirmed the company would confront Australian air Services with a coalition of Toll, Virgin Blue and New Zealand airfreight concern Airwork.</p> <p>Both men said their companies were devoted to organic and acquisitive growth and used the term “aggressive” several times.</p> <br />
