Transport & Logistics

The Royal Automobile Club of WA and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of WA have both welcomed an election pledge by Premier Colin Barnett to spend $520 million upgrading a freight rail line between Thornlie and Cockburn to enable passenger service.

December throughput was higher at the state's major north-west ports, with the Pilbara Ports Authority reporting nearly 60.5 million tonnes of cargo passing over its docks in the month, up 12 per cent on the same time in 2015.

The federal government will be sticking to its guns on the Roe 8 project, Urban Infrastructure Minister Paul Fletcher affirmed today, saying the $1.2 billion committed by the Commonwealth to the project would not be reallocated.

US-based transport group Watco Companies is seeking further acquisitions and growth opportunities in Western Australia, after buying a majority shareholding in Intermodal Group and winning a contra

Drivers may want to fill up at the servo in coming days with Australian petrol prices set to surge.

The Roe 8 road project will be cancelled if the Labor Party wins the upcoming state election, opposition leader Mark McGowan said today, even though the government has already signed a contract for construction, with $236 million of funding to be re-allocated to three alternative roads.

From a modest industrial building in Willetton, newly rebadged investment company Diverseco has built a substantial national business through a series of targeted acquisitions.

The competition watchdog said today it planned to deny authorisation to a proposed partnership between Virgin Australia Holdings and Alliance Aviation Services because it would lessen competition in the West Australian market.

Henderson-based shipbuilder Austal has won a $22 million contract for a high speed passenger catamaran to be used in Germany, but it will be built in the Philippines.

Environmental advocates have lost the latest High Court application to stop the extension of Roe Highway through Beeliar Wetlands.

Alliance Aviation Services has extended its contract for the provision of its services to Hong Kong-based CITIC Pacific Mining's Sino Iron project in the Pilbara.

Western Australia experienced yet another horror month for new car sales, with the prospect of a last-minute turnaround to bring the year on par with 2015's poor result looking very unlikely.

Jetstar will stop automatically adding extras such as travel insurance to its customers' online bookings, as Australia's consumer watchdog looks to prevent travellers from paying unnecessary costs.

Fortescue Metals Group has recognised the family of chairman Andrew Forrest by naming four new very large ore carrier (VLOC) vessels after his wife and children.

Stevedoring industry veteran Chris Corrigan has announced he will retire as chairman of QUBE Holdings, saying the time is right as the logistics group enters a new phase.

The transport and logistics subsidiary of Perth-based, family-owned CFC Group has acquired McAleese Group's entire heavy haulage fleet for an undisclosed sum.

Automotive Holdings Group has reassured shareholders that its troubled refrigerated logistics business is on the mend, after releasing a trading update that showed lower profits.

Perth's growing traffic congestion woes have prompted the development of two new apps, both designed to make old methods of commuting easier and get drivers out of their cars.

Six south metropolitan councils are formalising a lobby group to push for development of an outer harbour near Kwinana as the March 2017 state election approaches.

The creators of Northbridge-based startup Stuck are hoping to bring uberfication to roadside assistance, with a new app to be launched soon that will match local mechanics with stranded drivers at the push of a button.

New car sales crashed in Western Australia last month, adding to a year of poor performance in the industry.

Emeco Holdings has sought to reassure investors that its planned three-way tie-up with Orionstone and Andy's Earthmovers is progressing smoothly, despite news that one of the parties involved has received a takeover bid of its own.

Virgin Australia has joined rival Qantas in announcing a tough start to the year, with soft demand pushing the number two carrier to a first-quarter loss.

Qantas is facing a bumpy year as international airlines cut air fares to attract customers, just two months after the airline delivered a record annual underlying profit.

Destination marketing, placemaking, exports, tourism and education are all part of a day's work for the new boss at Perth Airport.

Henderson-based shipbuilder Austal has won a $US12 million ($A15.6 million) contract to provide maintenance work on a littoral combat ship it is currently building for the US Navy.

The state government has talked up the benefits of its transport plan for the new Perth Stadium, with up to 23,000 patrons expected to take one of the two bridges crossing the Swan River as they exit the stadium after an event.

Grain handling cooperative CBH Group has opened itself up to increased competition in the provision of grain transport services, following a review by the competition watchdog.

Austal has been contracted to provide maintenance work on patrol boats for the Royal Australian Navy for an undisclosed sum.

Marine manufacturing firm VEEM has raised $25 million from its initial public offering, with its stock expected to start trading on the ASX later this month.

Western Australia's car retail industry has once again been taken to the panel beaters after new figures showed another slump in new vehicle sales.

Virgin Australia has announced several new services that will be available next year, including a flight from Perth to Abu Dhabi.