New `independent’ alliance sets sights on Sydney box trade

<p>Sydney-based Maritime Container Services (MCS) and Macarthur Intermodal Shipping Terminal (the MIST Group) have formed a strategic alliance, the companies said today (Friday, May 4).</p> <p>Between the two company’s property assets, the alliance has the capacity to service freight customers from the south west of Sydney to the northeast, with links to the main interstate rail network.</p> <p>The alliance would offer full and empty container handling services to and from Port Botany, the companies said.</p> <p>The alliance groups MCS with MIST’s trucking business Bowport All Roads Transport and its rail concern, Independent Railways of Australia. </p> <p>MCS managing director Grahame Wright said the alliance would offer the transport market an &#8220independent and alternative&#8221 service in rail and road transport.</p> <p>&#8220MCS sees a solid opportunity in combining service offerings between the groups and meeting the growing needs of our clients now and the future,&#8221 he said.</p> <p>MIST managing director Steve Heraghty predicted the alliance’s container trade would grow.</p> <p>&#8220The market has been consolidating for some time, with a small number of very large players now dominating and the time is right for a larger and very much independent, alternative offering,&#8221 Mr Heraghty said.</p> <p>&#8220The alliance of MCS and MIST will provide an expanded platform for growth within the shipping industry, through the rail and road freight markets.&#8221</p> <p>MIST, on the southwestern outskirts of Sydney, is working with adjacent property owners ING and Austrak to develop the Greater Minto Terminal, a &#8220freight village&#8221 with space for significant warehousing development, links to the interstate road and rail network, and the capacity to house a new locomotive fleet. </p> <p>MCS handles of one third of Sydney’s container teu movements. It operates two empty container parks, each with 10,000 teu capacity, at Banksmeadow and Cooks River rail yard, St Peters.</p> <p>The Sydney Ports Corporation-owned Cooks River site is a multi-user rail terminal, serviced by Pacific National and Linfox-owned FCL transport.</p> <p>MCS holds the most long-term lease over the site.</p> <p>MCS operates a rail shuttle service between Port Botany and the Cooks River rail yard. </p> <br />