Transport firms welcome Northline logistics alliance with Indonesia’s Mitra

<p>With maritime, port and land transport providers still digesting the news, Darwin’s Perkins and rail firm Freight Link reacted positively yesterday (Thursday, September 28) to Australian freight forwarder Northline’s alliance with Indonesian international firm Mitra Intertrans Forwarding (MIF).</p> <p> Perkins Shipping Group chief executive Peter Hopton said: “It’s exciting to see two freight forwarding companies (come together) that have significant warehousing in-country expertise and distribution networks. It’s targeted in the right area to look at the mining and resource industry in Indonesia.”</p> <p> Freight Link chief executive John Fullerton said the partners should be congratulated on being the first to make this long-talked about move.<br /> Port of Darwin trade development manager Garry Scanlan said the port was very happy with the development and would do anything it could to help out.<br /> Shipowner Swire, which services Darwin, would not comment until after it had held a meeting with the alliance.<br /> The alliance hopes to create a $30m market for end-to-end freight forwarding between Australia and, initially, Indonesia, using Darwin and Surabaya as the main ports.&nbsp </p> <p> It aims to carry project cargo for the mining and energy sectors northward and provide just-in-time transport for Indonesian exports south. <br /> The alliance expects to cut up to two weeks from transit times by avoiding choke points at ports in Sydney and Melbourne.<br /> Though a test run has not been made, Northline head of strategic development Paul Booth told <em>Lloyd’s List DCN</em> that times posted by other companies undertaking a similar job indicated a saving of 10-14 days.</p> <p> The memorandum of understanding between Northline and MIF was signed at a Darwin Chamber of Commerce event on Wednesday (September 27). <br /> Initially, the MIF-Northline service will provide services between Indonesia and Darwin, with the potential to expand services to include Perth and Brisbane as demand requires. </p> <p> Northline said It expected major opportunities for the international freight forwarding alliance to include:</p> <ul> <li> A mining and resources supply base in Darwin to service mines in Indonesia and beyond</li> <li> A reliable import hub for products manufactured in Indonesia, with onward distribution to all Australian markets on a “just in time” basis and</li> <li> Reverse logistics, especially for equipment maintenance and repairs from Indonesian mines. </li> <br /> </ul>