Swire backs NT Express for another 12 months

<p>Swire Shipping has committed its vessel <em>NT Express</em> to a further 12 months on its dedicated Darwin-Singapore service through to November 2005.</p> <p>General manager Adrian Sammons said the decision demonstrated the confidence the company had in the developing trade on the Adelaide-Darwin railway.</p> <p>"We are quietly optimistic," Mr Sammons said.</p> <p>The 6,025 dwt <em>NT Express</em> began the service in November last year in anticipation of the increased trade brought through Darwin’s East Arm wharf with the arrival of the railway.</p> <p>Railway operator FreightLink CEO Bruce McGowan told <em>Lloyd’s List DCN</em> that the international cargo on Adelaide-Darwin link is increasing and so far it has carried about 8,500 tonnes, mostly for export out of Darwin.</p> <p>"We are very encouraged by the interest that has been shown and the trials we have done," Mr McGowan said.</p> <p>FreightLink is "working on imports" and has met a number of interested parties in Asia.</p> <p>This morning (Wednesday, July 21) at the launch of the Australian Rail Industry Report 2003, federal transport minister John Anderson gave the Adelaide-Darwin railway further endorsement and refuted suggestions the line was " a white elephant".</p> <p>It is not expected the line would "come together" until 2006, he said. </p> <br />