The Weekly Wrap: Friday, March 19, 2021

News

19 Mar

Written By Graham 'Kermie' Harsant

HINO WITHDRAWS FROM 2021 BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

Hino announced on Thursday that it was not taking part in the 2021 Brisbane Truck Show, scheduled for May 13 -16.

Bill Gillespie, Vice President of Brand and Franchise Development for Hino Australia said the difficult decision was due to the continuing uncertainty surrounding COVID-19.

“This was not a decision we have taken lightly, and has come after ongoing deliberation at a senior management level,” he said. “We held off making a final decision to see if the vaccine rollout would provide more confidence in terms of travel and social gatherings, but ultimately the health and safety of our staff must always come first.”

Gillespie went on to explain the considerable costs involved with exhibiting at the show. HINO were to unveil a significant new addition to HINO’s product range so the decision must carry some pain for the company. That unveiling – to the media at least – will now take place on June 2 in Sydney.

HINO is the latest in a number of manufacturers, including Scania and Brisbane local product, Volvo to withdraw from the show.

**Perhaps HINO could hook up their excellent trailer and take it around the country. I’ll do it for ya HINO!**

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FUSO eCANTER PASSES THE TEST IN AUSTRALIA

The all-electric Fuso eCanter has completed a comprehensive local testing program ahead of its Australian launch later this month. This is the first Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) all-electric truck to be available in Australia.

Running around in other countries since 2017, the updated eCanter was used in Oz. These test vehicles logged important information about the performance of the truck running fully loaded at its 7.5 tonne Gross Vehicle Mass capacity around the clock, as well as data related to its recharging. The eCanter performed strongly in the test, unfazed by tough Australian conditions. (I’m pretty sure the company didn’t include a run to Alice and back.)

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again (and no doubt again, again after a company presentation in a couple of weeks’ time), if you’re in the market for a truck of this size and your days are spent in the city and/or burbs, the eCanter is an excellent vehicle.

Do yourself a favour and take one for a spin when it comes to a FUSO dealer near you.

Like all Canter 4x2 models, the eCanter is equipped with a long list of unmatched safety features including Advanced Emergency Braking System, Lane Departure Warning System, Electronic Stability Control, Hill Start, a reversing camera and driver and passenger airbags. Fuso includes these key safety features at no extra cost to customers.

The eCanter will feature on the Daimler stand at the Brisbane Truck Show to be held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre from May 13 to 16.

**The 2021 eCanter is not quite like this design study, displayed at the 2009 Brisbane Show**

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Scania publishes Annual and Sustainability Report 2020

Scania Annual and Sustainability report 2020 launched.jpg

2020 was a year like no other. Though heavily impacted by disruptions due to the pandemic, Scania managed through with a strong underlying performance and an increased focus on driving the shift towards a sustainable transport system.

In 2020, Scania was challenged by a historic global close-down of production and an unpredictable demand situation because of the pandemic. Though considerably impacted by lower vehicle volumes, the negative effects on operating income were mitigated by powerful cost-saving measures. . Find the full report here »

Scania reports progress on climate targets

For the first time since Scania set its Science Based Targets, the company reports on the progress on emission reduction both from its own operations and from vehicles in use.

find the full report here »

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CONSIGNOR PROSECUTED OVER PEDESTRIAN CROSSING ROLLOVER

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has charged a Victorian company with serious safety offences after a truck toppled onto a pedestrian island crossing.

The heavy vehicle was loaded with a shipping container carrying 26 tonnes of imported timber plywood products when it rolled over in Dandenong on November 11, 2019 (see attached image).

The load’s consignor has been charged with exposing drivers, unloaders and members of the public to the risk of death or serious injury by failing to comply with sections 26G and 26H of the Heavy Vehicle National Law.

The case is the first prosecution of a consignor by the NHVR following the 2018 amendment of the Heavy Vehicle National Law which made all parties in the supply chain part of the Chain of Responsibility, with a shared duty to ensure the safety of transport activities.

**The scene of the heavy vehicle roll over in Dandenong on 11 November, 2019**

NHVR Executive Director Statutory Compliance Ray Hassall said the law was now clear that everyone involved in heavy vehicle transport had a shared responsibility to ensure the safety of workers and the public.

“This was a serious incident that the NHVR will allege was caused by multiple breaches of safety laws,” Mr Hassall saiD.

The NHVR will allege the consignor failed to comply with loading and restraint requirements, failed to advise an overseas supplier of Australian safety regulations, failed to have any restraint system in place in the container, and failed to advise the driver and operator how the load was packed.

It will be further alleged that the consignor had failed to take these measures since June 2017, during which time 189 containers were transported without any restraint.

No one was injured in the November 2019 rollover.

The matter is listed for a hearing at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 22 March, 2021.

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ATA TALKS TRAILER SAFETY, TRUCK CHARGES AND MORE

TRAILER SAFETY BOOSTED BY NEW DRAWBAR GUIDELINES
New drawbar trailer guidelines have been released today, delivering practical advice to improve the safety of trucking operators, prime contractors and major project consortiums around the country.

Developed by the Australian Trucking Association’s Industry Technical Council, the guidelines have been published as a Technical Advisory Procedure - a voluntary guide to meet the needs of industry and fill the gaps in vehicle standards.

ATA Chief Engineer Bob Woodward said the guidelines were developed following strong concerns regarding key technical safety aspects of drawbar trailers, specifically the use of Susie coil air lines for the emergency brake function in a breakaway.

“A breakaway occurs when a trailer accidentally disconnects from the primary coupling and the secondary coupling such as a safety chain, if fitted, also fails. Susie coils are self-coiling airlines that should only be used in semi-trailer applications.

“For drawbar trailers, when there is a breakaway it’s important that the airline is disrupted and the emergency brakes function. Therefore rubber hose must be used so that the emergency brakes work,” Mr Woodward said.

“It’s vital the emergency brake system be designed to function and perform in accordance with Australian Design Rules,” he said.

Mr Woodward said this was not a new issue. “The ATA issued a safety alert about the use of Susie coils in 2015, and there are known examples of drawbar trailer breakaway where the emergency brakes did not apply because of the type of airline connection. That’s why we have taken practical action to improve safety for operators, drivers and everyone who shares the road. The guidelines address this issue by outlining best-practice procedures to improve personal and vehicle safety.”

Developed by industry, for industry, the guidelines also address concerns regarding drawbar design and maintenance, as well as the installation of towing eyes that are not in accordance with manufacturers’ recommendations.

“Implementation of these guidelines can deliver real safety benefits for not only trucking businesses, but also prime contractors, major project consortiums, construction vehicles and the wider community who share we share our roads with every day.”

The ATA ITC has an extensive library of Technical Advisory Procedures covering a range of relevant topics, including side underrun protection and heavy vehicle visibility, many of which have been adopted by project managers and operators across Australia.
View the Drawbar Trailer Technical Advisory Procedure

DON'T INCREASE TRUCK CHARGES BY MORE THAN INFLATION

Australia’s governments should not increase truck road user and registration charges by more than the expected inflation rate, 1.5 per cent, in 2021-22, the CEO of the Australian Trucking Association, Andrew McKellar, said today.

Mr McKellar was releasing the ATA response to the governments’ proposal to increase charges by 2.5 per cent. The government proposal would see charges rise by substantially more than inflation and more than many trucking businesses can afford.

“More than a third of the trucking businesses we surveyed told us their business activity was still down compared to immediately before the bushfires and the start of the pandemic. Trucking businesses also have great difficulty passing charge increases on to their customers.”

Mr McKellar said the proposed increase of 2.5 per cent was based on an inflation forecast from May 2019.

“Treasury’s inflation forecast for 2021-22 is 1.5 per cent. Truck charges should not go up by more than this forecast.”

Mr McKellar said the ATA would continue arguing for measures to make charges fairer and more affordable, and to improve the cashflow of businesses.

“We need a ban on payment times longer than 30 days, the extension of price regulation to truck tolls and port access charges and changes to allow businesses to pay truck registration charges by monthly direct debit. In addition, some ATA members have raised serious concerns about the misuse of primary producer registration concessions.”
View the ATA submission

IN FURTHER NEWS…

· The ATA is representing and providing insight on two Standards Australia committees - ME053: Mechanical Connections between Towing Vehicles and ME057: Dangerous Goods for Road Tankers. ME053 is working on standards related to fifth wheels and pin couplings, which need to be periodically reviewed for currency and relevance to application. ME057 recently reviewed AS2809 parts 1 and 2 which outline the general requirements for all road tank vehicles and road tank vehicles for flammable liquids, while the AS2809 part 3 (Road Tank Vehicles for Liquified Gas) is in final draft.

· Healthy Heads in Trucks and Sheds have partnered with the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator in its aim to improve psychological safety and physical health in the industry. The NHVR is set to contribute $150,000 over the next three years to progress key initiatives and raising awareness of the support services that are available to everyone in the industry.

· The SafeT360 NSW tour continued this week, visiting young road users in Parkes and Forbes. Since kicking off its tour earlier this month, the travelling road safety exhibition has seen more than 600 visitors hop into the virtual driver's seat and develop an understanding of how to share the road safely with trucks. SafeT360 is now on it's way to Canberra to join the Amy Gillett Foundation at the Big Canberra Bike Ride.

· TruckSafe is calling for expressions of interest to join its board of directors. A progressive and motivated group of industry professionals, the TruckSafe board is made up of people who are passionate about seeing tangible safety outcomes for industry through comprehensive industry accreditation. For more information or to express your interest, contact Melissa Weller on 02 6253 6900 or melissa.weller@truck.net.au

· Women & Leadership Australia are offering development scholarships for female leaders in the transport and logistics sector. The initiative is providing women with grants of between $1,000 and $5,000 to allow participation in one of three leadership development courses designed for emerging through to senior leaders. Find out more or register your interest by 31 March.

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KERMIE’S FACEBOOK TRUCKING RIG OF THE WEEK

Judged by me, myself and I, this is my pick of the pics on Facebook this past week. Posted on East Coast Trucking Photos page by Dan Russo, we (thats the three listed above) think its a ripper. If you see this Dan, send a messgae to kermie@truckinwithkermie.com and I’ll flick you a TWK sticker.

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IN MEMORIUM

RIP Rick ‘Chocs’ Hayman

I’m saddened and shocked by todays news of the sudden passing of mate, Rick ‘Chocs’ Hayman. A nicer bloke you could never wissh to meet. With the passing of time we will publish the story of this Victorian truck industry legend.