<p>Freight and logistics firm Northline has opened a new warehouse at its Winnellie depot in Darwin, part of a strategy to increase its national profile. </p> <p>It now operates a fully integrated national network of warehousing, distribution and transport services by road and rail, employing over 300 staff as well as full-time subcontractors from company-operated facilities in all mainland states.</p> <p>Earlier this year, Northline opened a 23,000 sq m, $16m purpose-built warehousing and freight distribution centre in Melbourne, the first stage of a $60m project to develop a national network of distribution centres. </p> <p>Depot redevelopments have begun or are planned for Townsville, Perth, Sydney and Brisbane.</p> <p>The company has upgraded its fleet to further develop its warehouse and distribution services nine months after reinstating road transport as its preferred freight method in the Northern Territory. </p> <p>Northline also sees the opportunity to develop further the role of the port of Darwin with the company’s ability to interface with shipping in order to deconsolidate and distribute freight direct to customers anywhere in Australia from Darwin, rather than transhipping at higher cost through Adelaide or Melbourne. </p> <p>The 1,200 sq m purpose-built warehouse is Phase 1 of a two-phase planned development of new facilities. Phase 2 is a new 3,600 sq m purpose-built warehouse due to open in April 2006.</p> <p>This will increase the total warehouse and undercover depot area to nearly 8,000 sq m and extend the hard surface area considerably. </p> <br />
