State Government taskforce floats east-west shipping route to prevent supply chain disruption

In January and February, flooding in South Australia closed down WA’s main rail link to the east coast for 24 days, throwing supply chains into chaos and resulting in empty supermarket shelves.

In response, the State Government set up a taskforce to investigate how WA’s freight and supply chains could be strengthened, potentially by bringing back an interstate shipping route.

Taskforce co-chair Kyle McGinn has told Nadia Mitsopoulos that “some of the initial talks are around a seven-day turnaround, with two vessels running from east to west.”

“Shipping hasn’t had this opportunity in over 30 years, where it’s needed to be a crucial part of the supply chain here in WA. Shipping is consistent. It doesn’t stop.”