Intermodal boost for Aurizon

RAIL giant Aurizon is seeing continued growth in its intermodal business, with contract wins and volume boosts in its north-south and east-west services.

Aurizon group executive for bulk and containerised freight, George Lippiatt, said everything from supermarket goods and consumer products to industrial inputs and motor vehicles moves on the company’s interstate rail services and as the economy and consumer demand continue to grow, so too does the volume of freight.

“We have a long-term contract with TGE (formerly Toll Global Express), one of Australia’s largest freight and logistics companies, providing containerised freight rail linehaul services connecting the State capitals of Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.

“Last financial year volumes for TGE grew by more than 10%. 

“This contract accounts for approximately 45% of our total containerised freight volume nationally (includes National Interstate and Central Corridor volumes). We have also seen strong growth through our other customers of more than 175% in the past financial year," Mr Lippiat said.

As a result of this continued customer growth, Aurizon expects its containerised freight business to break even this year after only standing up the new business a few years ago. 

“August was already a very strong month and we are confident strong consumer demand will continue driving further growth. 

“For example, we have just expanded our service offering to support the distribution of motor vehicles with two new contracts and procurement of unique specialised rolling stock to help support the transport task.

“NYK, one of the world’s leading roll-on/roll-off shipping companies, has become the first international logistics partner to utilise Aurizon’s landbridging service via Darwin and CEVA Logistics, one of the world’s largest finished vehicle providers, is also supporting the rollout of the service across key domestic corridors with a new long-term contract. The contract covers all of CEVA’s domestic rail of motor vehicles as well as containerised freight.

“Last week our new approximately $60 million Kewdale Terminal in Perth has also commenced operations. The new terminal is designed to accommodate full-length, double-stacked interstate freight trains of up to 1.8 kilometres in length providing us with the scale to support growing customer demand,” Mr Lippiat said.

“It is part of our investment to help our customers with increased capacity, efficiency and flexibility in moving their freight nationwide, helping power Australian households and the national economy.”

Meanwhile, Aurizon this week opened applications for the second round of its 2026 Community Giving Fund, inviting not-for-profit organisations across Australia to apply for grants that deliver lasting benefits in the communities where Aurizon's employees live and work.

The Community Giving Fund supports charities focused on community safety, health and wellbeing, environment, and education, with grants helping local organisations deliver practical, high-impact projects.

Since 2011, Aurizon's Community Giving Fund has enabled hundreds of community organisations to deliver projects across the regions where Aurizon operates.

Aurizon managing director & CEO Andrew Harding said the Fund continued to provide valuable support to organisations making a difference in local communities.

"Across the communities where we operate, we see organisations delivering important programs that improve lives and strengthen local connections," Mr Harding said.

"The Community Giving Fund is one of the ways we can help those organisations extend their reach and increase their impact.”

Applications for the latest round of Aurizon's Community Giving Fund are open until 5.00pm AEDT Friday 16 October 2026.