This is an individual assessment item submitted as a formal business report following the RMIT report and referencing style.

1 the student is to investigate and report on issues arising from that study. Expand on discussions to take your individual perspective on that topic.

The topic is:

Distribution channels

Freight modes

3.1) types and roles in Distribution in Australia

sea and waterways, raod , air, rail, pipeline

1 present a comprehensive diagrammatic overview of the logistic system of your selected topic.

2 identify and discuss strengths and weakness, alternative modes of operation and future projections.

3 compare with contemporary thinking and current logistics and supply chain theories

this is my perspective:

For alternative modes of freight of Australia, rail freight accounted for about 49%,  road transport take about 35%, sea and water ways freight account for about 17% and air account for way below 0.01%.

Road transport is the main mode

Road transport is the main mode in Australia. In major cities, road freight account for about a fifth of the total Australian road good during 2011 and 2012.

Trucks act as the dominating example of road transport.

The trucks offer freight services to retail and wholesale traders who form the largest share of road transport sector.

They also service manufacturing, construction, agriculture and mining sectors.

Most customers use trucks because of time and speed.

For example most retailer business like supermarkets use trucks that travel less than 100 kilo meters.

Future companies go for trucks for easy transporting perishable goods like fruits vegetable and grocery.

Heavy vehicles mainly involved in roads freight are way above 95% of the Australian road goods transport.

Such as B-double tucks have boosted the mode increasing efficiency and returns of longer distances freights.

According to researchers, B doubles have attain a considerable competitive status as rail transport over longer distance freights for example between Melbourne to Brisbane.

Rail transport takes the most volume

Rail transport has become attractive in internal freights and it accounts more percentage in volume than road freight. Transportation of bulk goods in long distance requires lots of fuel and cost. In this regard railway services become the most convenient compare to road and air freight.

In Australia, rail transport is mostly used because of its safety, large capacity and lower cost compare to road transport. In most cases, the main user of rail freight mode includes manufacturers as well as farmers and miner who transport their products locally to other companies and the ports for exportation.

The sugar and mega mining industry in Queensland utilizes rail freight services in transporting both raw products and end products.

The Australian government in partnership with private sector operates the railway freight services. In Queensland state for instance, Queensland rail (government owned), Australian Rail Track Corporation as well as Arizona private company manage railway freight services.

Pipeline transport liquid and gas

Another freight mode in Australia is pipeline, it’s a specific way transporting oil and gas. Pipeline cost a lot at constructing and installing stage, but very easy operating and maintenance. Also it transports speed is low, and the network is limited. But due to the high capacity, in transit storage and no pollution, it’s still a very effective way.

The future view

Between the years 2010 and 2030 Australian domestic freight is expected increasing 80% according to Bitre. Road transport freight is expected to increase by 180%  by 2040 and 190% for the rail. To maintain green supply chain, more efficient fuels using should be applied  in order reduce greenhouse gases. Road infrastructure is expected to develop hence restricting trucks to some roads to decrease the lead time.

Australian government intent to build the Melbourne to Brisbane in land rail line and Moorebank International Freight Terminal.  Development of railway infrastructure will reduce the number of trucks on roads. And it also decreases the cost and time of travel of customer from long distance. The new pipeline build between Alice springs and Moomba will transport the south gas to north.

http://energyadvice.com.au/2014/09/potential-new-gas-pipeline-to-link-east-and-west-markets/

2 In ‘The World is Flat’ Friedman (2005) discusses globalisation and the importance of international supply chains to global economic growth. Use this as a backdrop to provide context to your topic.

3 Logistics is the lifeblood of supply chains and contributes to economic wealth, cost savings and the profitability of business. Concentrate on the logistics of your commodity supply chain.

4 Provide an in-depth analysis of your topic with regard to issues that arise, including trends, technology, challenges and strategic forward thinking.

5 Support your analysis and discussion with numerous up-to-date references from various reputable sources. Do not reference Wiki, Google of popular social media.