Unitpool to Brambles

Suggestions that Toll Holdings and the recently-separated Asciano would both prove aggressive players on the Australasian logistics and infrastructure scene have been borne out by the companies’ apparently coincidental appearance on the share register of global pallet specialist Brambles.

Following the long, five-year depressed market for tanks, tank container lessors are now enjoying strong demand for their services on the back of a vibrant world economy and surging chemical production. The persistent oversupply of tanks has finally been whittled away and the industry’s reviving fortunes are being aided by the rapid pace of industrialisation in China.

Australia’s Toll Holdings is on the expansion trail again and is expected to announce the acquisition of Brambles Industries’ Shipping Division at its annual general meeting at the end of this month.

A number of new and updated terminal and ro-ro tractor designs from leading suppliers are coming to fruition just now

Subject to approval from the competition authorities in Brussels, VTG-Lehnkering AG, part of the Hapag-Lloyd group, is to acquire the European rail logistics activities of the Australian Brambles Group.

Over four hectares of the Port of Brisbane Corporation (PBC)’s Whyte Island Estate have been earmarked for the development of a 15,000 m2 warehouse to be leased by United Transport Services, a subsidiary of global support services group Brambles Industries.