Transport & Logistics

The corporate regulator has blasted the insurance industry over expensive, poor-value add-on policies sold to car buyers, warning there are "serious problems" in the market that must be fixed immediately.

West Perth-based Sirona Capital has signed a memorandum of understanding with Brookfield Rail to ascertain the viability of a new intermodal freight hub in Bullsbrook.

Aurizon has appointed Andrew Harding as chief executive in place of Lance Hockridge, calling the former Rio Tinto iron ore head the right person to increase value for shareholders.

Australia's consumer watchdog has started legal action in the Federal Court against German carmaker Volkswagen and its Australian subsidiary accusing it of misleading claims about diesel vehicle emissions.

After 10 years of research and development, Australia’s first driverless electric shuttle bus made its public debut this afternoon as it cruised along the South Perth Esplanade.  

Qantas shareholders will receive another $500 million of capital after Australia's biggest airline delivered an 84.7 per jump in annual net profit to $1.03 billion, thanks to benefits from its operational overhaul and lower fuel prices.

Automotive Holdings Group has announced plans to raise up to $110 million from investors and purchase two car yards on the east coast, on the same day it revealed an increase in full-year profit.

A recently established joint venture comprising local shipbuilder Austal has won a $10 million contract to build a ferry for a Chinese operator.

The state government has appointed Richard Sellers to the role of director general of the Department of Transport, succeeding Reece Waldock who retired last month.

Uber drivers using the service as a supplementary income should declare it to their primary employer, according to Minter Ellison partner Kathy Reid, after a driver who had worked during sick leave lost an unfair dismissal claim.

Automotive Holdings Group has announced an unusual 12-month leadership transition under which current managing director, Bronte Howson, will become special counsel, while also getting a special cash payout and potentially early vesting of long-term performance rights.

Construction contractor Laing O’Rourke and engineering firm AECOM have won a $25 million contract to upgrade the East Perth train station, which is expected to take on larger crowds when the new Perth Stadium opens next year.

Qantas is holding off taking delivery of eight A380 superjumbos ordered more than a decade ago because they don't fit with its current plans for growth in Asia.

Car sales in Western Australia remain stalled, according to the latest figures from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries.

Australia’s largest airline is planning to build a new lounge at Karratha Airport that will be double the size of the present facility. 

A series of new rail and road tunnels, including a CBD train loop and a line from Stirling to Murdoch could be needed as Perth's population grows to 3.5 million, according to Transport Minister Dean Nalder, as he unveiled the state government's long term transport blueprint this morning.

Marine services company MMA Offshore has flagged a $140 million impairment in its upcoming FY16 results, with the majority of the charge attributed to its vessel fleet.

Motoring, travel, retirement and financial services group Royal Automobile Club of WA is understood to have sold part of its aged care homes services business to Sydney-based Quadrant Private Equity.

Virgin Australia will post an annual loss of $224.7 million due to the impairments and charges it expects to record from its plans to position the airline for future profitability.

The competition watchdog has waved through a $9 billion takeover of rail and ports giant Asciano, and approved Metcash's bid for Woolworths' Home Timber and Hardware business.

Some users may have welcomed the removal of the port enhancement charge at Geraldton, but it may not be smooth sailing for all.

A global shipping company has become the first company successfully prosecuted by Australia's corporate regulator under the criminal cartel provisions of the Competition and Consumer Act.

The state government plans to cancel a new environmental review of the controversial Roe 8 highway extension project after winning a legal appeal today, but it remains unclear when contracts for the project will be awarded.

Premier Colin Barnett has cut the ribbon to mark the official opening of the new $217 million underground Perth Busport, with services to begin this weekend.

A ramp-up of iron ore exports has lifted annual throughput at Port Hedland to a new record of 460.4 million tonnes, with the combined Pilbara Ports Authority tracking for a figure of 633.5mt per year.

Virgin Australia is set for a big full-year loss after announcing its restructure will cost as much as $450 million.

Perth-based startup Bustle is aiming to simplify the process of doing business in the freight transportation industry via an online marketplace accessible through an app.

End-of-financial-year bargain hunters provided a boost to new car sales in Western Australia last month, but it wasn’t enough to beat last year’s June 30 clearance sales.

Henderson-based ship builder Austal has flagged an earnings deficit of up to $121 million on the back of unexpected costs incurred in its $US4 billion contract with the US Navy.

Rail and ports operator Asciano will sell its 50 per cent stake in the ACFS port logistics business to its joint venture partner in an effort to remove the overhang on its $9.05 billion takeover.

A joint venture between Downer and Canadian train manufacturer Bombardier Transportation has won more work with the Public Transport Authority of WA, securing $512 million in contracts for both the supply of new trains and for maintenance services.

New businesses are gearing up to supply drivers in the state’s ridesharing industry, with legalisation of services such as Uber due to start on July 1.