SCT Logistics

Transport company in Australia
title: "SCT Logistics" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["companies-based-in-melbourne", "freight-railway-companies-of-australia", "interstate-rail-in-australia", "logistics-companies-of-australia", "transport-companies-established-in-1974", "1974-establishments-in-australia"] description: "Transport company in Australia" topic_path: "geography/australia" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SCT_Logistics" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary Transport company in Australia ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox company"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | SCT Logistics |
| logo | Specialised-Container-Transport-logo.png |
| image | SCT Logistics freight train Sunshine North, Victoria.jpg |
| image_caption | SCT Logistics freight train passing through Sunshine North, Victoria in November 2023 |
| former_name | Specilaised Container Transport |
| industry | Logistics |
| foundation | 1974 |
| founder | Peter Smith |
| location_city | Altona |
| location_country | Australia |
| key_people | Geoff Smith (Managing Director) |
| revenue | $390 million (2020) |
| owner | Smith family |
| num_employees | 2,000 (2020) |
| subsid | Specialised Bulk Rail |
| homepage | www.sctlogistics.com.au |
| :: |
| name = SCT Logistics | logo = Specialised-Container-Transport-logo.png | image = SCT Logistics freight train Sunshine North, Victoria.jpg |image_caption = SCT Logistics freight train passing through Sunshine North, Victoria in November 2023 | former_name = Specilaised Container Transport | industry = Logistics | foundation = 1974 | founder = Peter Smith | defunct = | location_city = Altona | location_country = Australia | area_served = | key_people = Geoff Smith (Managing Director) | services = | revenue = $390 million (2020) | operating_income = | net_income = | owner = Smith family | num_employees = 2,000 (2020) | divisions = | subsid = Specialised Bulk Rail | homepage = www.sctlogistics.com.au
SCT Logistics is an Australian interstate transport company operating rail and road haulage, with facilities in Brisbane, Sydney, Parkes, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth.
History
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0e/Sct-train-fa-hauled-g-class-geelong.jpg" caption="G class]] locomotives hauling a [[Melbourne]] bound service near [[Geelong]] in September 2006"] ::
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/55/SCT_G514_at_Seymour_Loco.JPG" caption="Seymour]] in December 2007"] ::
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/59/SCT011_SCT004.jpg" caption="SCT class]] locomotives at [[Hazelmere]] in December 2008"] ::
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ef/SCT001_locomotive_at_Forrestfield_24th_September_2018.jpg" caption="SCT 001 at [[Forrestfield]] in September 2018"] ::
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/46/CSR007_SA_2020.jpg" caption="Bowmans]] in March 2020"] ::
SCT Logistics was founded in 1974 as Specialised Container Transport.
In the mid-1990s, National Rail decided to discontinue the use of refrigerated vans, louvred vans, and boxcars on its trains. At the same time, Australia's rail network was being opened up to enable private operators the use of publicly owned railway track.
SCT had a customer base who wished to retain their use, so a number of surplus covered wagons were acquired, and hook and pull agreements were agreed with V/Line Freight (Melbourne to Adelaide) and Australian National (Adelaide to Perth) to haul the trains. In July 1995, SCT began operating a weekly service from Melbourne to Perth. The initial terminals for the service were at Dynon in Melbourne, Keswick in Adelaide and Kewdale in Perth. These were later replaced by purpose-built facilities at Laverton North, Penfield and Forrestfield.
In October 2000, Freight Australia was awarded a contract to haul the services from Melbourne through to Perth with G class locomotives and specially equipped fuel tankers to replenish on the move. Crew vans were also introduced, for the accommodation of train crew on the long journey across the Nullarbor Plain. The company also owned and operated its own locomotives for shunting wagons in its terminals. In November 2006, SCT commenced running trains from a new terminal in Parkes, New South Wales to Perth.
In February 2007, SCT purchased nine G class locomotives and leased three NR class locomotives from Pacific National until SCT's own fleet of SCT locomotives were delivered. This was to comply with an undertaking given by Toll Holdings to the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission as part of it acquiring control of Pacific National.
In February 2010, SCT Logistics commenced operating services between Melbourne and Brisbane with its wagons included in Aurizon operated services.
In September 2010 Specialised Bulk Rail was formed as a subsidiary to haul iron ore from Cairn Hill Mine, Coober Pedy to Outer Harbor for IMX Resources. In June 2014, due to low iron ore prices, the Cairn Hill mine was closed, ceasing SBRs Iron Ore contract.
In January 2017, it began operating its own Melbourne to Brisbane services having opened a terminal in Bromelton.
In 2020, SCT Logistics was ranked 169th in the Australian Financial Review "Top 500 Private Companies in Australia", recording an annual revenue of AUD390 million, up 4% from the previous year. As of 2020, SCT employed approximately 2,000 people.
In January 2022, SCT Logistics commenced operating bulk trains of steel products from Melbourne to Adelaide and Perth under contract to BlueScope.
In February 2024, SCT Logistics hired Seymour Railway Heritage Centre locomotives C501 and X31 which were recently converted to Standard-gauge. These locomotives were hired for use on the Dooen Freight in western Victoria.
2024 will see SCT leasing 6 RailFirst CF class locomotives for a period of 12 months or possibly longer.
locomotive fleet
::data[format=table] | Class | Image | Type | Gauge | Top speed (km/h) | Built | Number | Units | Notes | Owned Fleet | Leased Fleet | Previous Fleet | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | CSR class | [[File:CSR007 North Quay, 2015.JPG|frameless|160x160px]] | Diesel-electric | Standard | 115 | 2010-2022 | 24 | CSR001 - CSR024 | New build. | | | | | SCT class | [[File:SCT-class-locomotive.jpg|frameless|160x160px]] | Diesel-electric | Standard | 115 | 2007-2008 | 15 | SCT001 - SCT015 | New build. | | | | | H class | | Diesel-Electric | Standard | 105 | 1964-1965 | 4 | H1, H2, H3, H5 | H1 stored, Dynon | | | | | K class | [[File:WAGR K201 South Dynon 2006.jpg|frameless|160x160px]] | Diesel-Electric | Standard | 130 | 1966-1969 | 3 | K201, K208, K209 | K201 and K209 stored, Dynon | | | | | J class | [[File:J104 Forrestfield, 1986.JPG|frameless|160x160px]] | Diesel-Electric | Standard | 62 | 1966 | 2 | J102, J103 | J102 and J103 SCT Parkes shunters | | | | | T class | [[File:Victorian Railways T class T382 at the SRHC depot in 2024.jpg|frameless|160x160px]] | Diesel-electric | Standard | 100 | 1955-1968 | 2 | T345, T414 | T345 SCT Penfield shunter | | | | | X Class | [[File:Victorian Railways X class X31 Diesel - February 2022.jpg|frameless|160x160px]] | Diesel-Electric | Standard | 133 | 1975-1976 | 2 | X47, X51 | X47 SCT Forrestfield shunter | | | | | 80 class | [[File:PN 8033 shunting Carrington in Newcastle.JPG|frameless|160x160px]] | Diesel-Electric | Standard | 130 | 1980 | 1 | 8026 | SCT Laverton shunter | | | | | CF class | [[File:CF 4411.jpg|frameless|160x160px]] | Diesel-Electric | Standard | 115 | 2011 - 2025 | 6 | CF4410, CF4428, CF4429, CF4431, CF4432, CF4433 | Leased from Rail First | | | | | EL class | [[File:EL51 - EL63 Chidda 28-12-21.jpg|frameless|160x160px]] | Diesel-Electric | Standard | 115 | 1990 - 1991 | 2 | EL53, EL55 | Leased from Rail First | | | | | GL Class | [[File:GL Class Locomotive at Hurlstone Park.jpg|frameless|160x160px]] | Diesel-Electric | Standard | 115 | 1970 – 1973 as the 442 class | 3 | GL102, GL103, GL105 | Leased from Rail First | | | | | G class | [[File:SCT G514 at Seymour Loco.JPG|frameless|160x160px]] | Diesel- Electric | Standard | 115 | 1984 - 1989 | 9 | G511, G512, G513, G514, G515, G521, G532, G533, G535 | G511 to Watco, G512 + G515 to Chicago Freight Car Leasing Australia, G513 + G514 to Southern Shorthaul Railroad, G521 + G532 to Qube Holdings and G533 + G535 to Aurizon | | | | | X200 class | [[File:X217.JPG|frameless|160x160px]] | Diesel-Electric | Standard | 39 | 1963 | 1 | X209 | Scrapped, January 2026 | | | | ::
Queensland Intermodal Freight Hub
In August 2017, the company opened a new freight hub in Queensland, Bromelton Intermodal Estate. The opening was led by then-Deputy Prime Minister of Australia Barnaby Joyce and MP Scott Buchholz. The new freight hub is located adjacent to the Sydney–Brisbane rail corridor.
The project cost $35.2 million (AUD), with the Australian Federal Government investing $9.6 million (AUD) towards the cost of the terminal as a means to help provide local jobs in the area.
The 10 ha terminal has warehouses, loading facilities, and 6 km of track.{{cite web | last = Carter | first = Mark | author-link = | title = SCT Logistics opens Queensland freight hub | publisher = International Rail Journal | date = August 30, 2017 | url = https://www.railjournal.com/regions/australia-nz/sct-logistics-opens-queensland-freight-hub/ | format = | doi = | accessdate = September 27, 2022 | archive-date = 27 September 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220927130827/https://www.railjournal.com/regions/australia-nz/sct-logistics-opens-queensland-freight-hub/ | url-status = live
Motorsport
2013-2019 V8 Supercars Sponsorship Alongside Supercheap Auto
In 2013, SCT announced its sponsorship plans with Supercheap Auto's Holden Commodore (VF), operated by Walkinshaw Racing Team. The #66 was driven by Russell Ingall, who finished the season 15th, with a 3rd-place finish at the Gold Coast 600.
From 2014 to 2015, SCT continued its sponsorship with the Supercheap Auto sponsored Holden Commodore (VF), Ingall was replaced by Tim Slade. Slade finished 17th with 3 podium finishes in 2014 and 13th with 1 podium in 2015.
In 2016, Supercheap Auto announced it would switch to Prodrive Racing Australia run under Rod Nash Racing with 2014 Bathurst 1000 winner Chaz Mostert behind the wheel. After a difficult season, Mostert managed to win a race at the Gold Coast 600.
In 2017 Mostert continued with Rod Nash Racing and won 3 races and the Pirtek Enduro Cup with co-driver Steve Owen after winning the Gold Coast 600. Mostert finished the championship in 5th position.
In 2018, another reshuffle of Prodrive Racing Australia saw them, and the Rod Nash Racing entry, renamed to Tickford Racing However, the team had a difficult season and Mostert only took one victory, another win at the Gold Coast 600.
In 2019, Tickford Racing upgraded to the new Ford Mustang GT. It was a moderately successful year, with a single win at Albert Park and several podiums.
Chaz announced that he was leaving Tickford Racing, for Walkinshaw Andretti United after being with the team for 7 years. SCT Logistics terminated its sponsorship agreement with Tickford after Mostert's plans to depart the team, despite Supercheap Auto staying on as Title Sponsor for the following season, bringing to an end a 7-year association with the retail giant.
2020–present
SCT Logistics is the naming rights sponsor for the No.4 Brad Jones Racing Holden Commodore ZB driven by Jack Smith in the 2022 Supercars Championship. It also supports Tommy Smith, who is competing in the 2023 FIA Formula 3 Championship.
SCT also sponsors Honda Racing Australia in the Australian Supercross Championship and Australian ProMX Championship .
References
References
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20180314194500/http://www.sctlogistics.com.au/?page_id=118 Company Overview] SCT Logistics
- The rise and rise of SCT ''[[Track & Signal]]'' May 2014 pages 24/25
- Peter Clark. (June 2003). "The SCT Refrigeration Car Fleet". Australian Model Railway Magazine.
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20160304060101/http://www.sctlogistics.com.au/wp-admin/images/Doc14.pdf Private train arrives early] ''[[Daily Cargo News#Daily Commercial News. Daily Commercial News]]'' 19 July 1995
- Interstate freight race starts ''[[Railway Gazette International]]'' September 1995 page 539
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20140104204159/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/open-access-brings.html Open access brings] ''Railway Gazette International'' 1 March 2003
- link. (4 January 2014 SCT Logistics)
- Freight Australia Hooks up SCT ''[[Railway Digest]]'' October 2000 page 7
- Here & There ''[[Australian Railway History. Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin]]'' issue 759 January 2001 page 32
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20160304045015/http://www.sctlogistics.com.au/wp-admin/images/MediaRDDec07.pdf SCT] ''Railway Digest'' December 2007 page 21
- [http://www.sctlogistics.com.au/wp-admin/images/ArticleChampionPostOct06.pdf Premier endorses Parkes as the hub of the nation] {{Webarchive. link. (1 March 2016 ''Champion-Post'' (Parkes) 23 October 2006)
- SCT opens Parkes terminal ''Railway Digest'' December 2006 page 15
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20140104212606/http://www.railexpress.com.au/archive/2007/Feb/15/sct-logistics-gains-part-of-tolls-rail-divestments SCT Logistics gains part of Toll's rail divestments] ''Rail Express'' 16 February 2007
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20140104213035/http://www.sctlogistics.com.au/wp-admin/images/Rail%20Express%20Lloyds%20List%20DCN%2016-mar-2007.pdf SCT secure PN starter kit] ''Rail Express'' issue 77 March 2007
- [http://www.sctlogistics.com.au/wp-admin/images/MediaRDAug07.pdf SCT launches G class Kevin Sheedy Express] {{Webarchive. link. (4 January 2014 ''Railway Digest'' September 2007 page 5)
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20140104204509/http://www.sctlogistics.com.au/wp-admin/images/PressReleaseFebruary16%202007.pdf Toll-Pacific National Starters Kit] SCT Logistics 16 February 2007
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20140104213033/http://www.sctlogistics.com.au/wp-admin/images/PressRelease12Feb10.pdf SCT Logistics Commences North South Rail Trials] SCT Logistics 12 February 2010
- News in Brief ''Railway Gazette International'' March 2010 page 7
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20140104212916/http://www.sctlogistics.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/SCT-Express_Autumn2011_20.5.11.pdf SCT breaks into the bulk rail market] ''The SCT Express'' May 2011
- SCT orders Australia's first Chinese built locomotives and enters mineral haulage market ''Railway Digest'' November 2010 page 6
- SCT Logistics hopes to capture freight from road with new east coast service ''[[International Railway Journal]]'' January 2017 pages 53-55
- SCT confirmed for Bluescope steel east-west contract, Qube wins north - south work ''Railway Digest'' June 2020 page 6
- SCT Acquires PN Locos ''[[Motive Power]]'' issue 51 April 2007 page 6
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20220111173530/https://autoaction.com.au/2021/11/25/bjr-retain-smith-for-2022/8ab6b683-5d89-5f2d-6d9a-e971ef243fe8 Brad Jones Racing retain Jack Smith for 2022] ''[[Auto Action]]'' 25 November 2021
- [https://www.fiaformula3.com/Latest/3EbzQcIFNFVLsRXREcsIFG/van-amersfoort-racing-sign-australian-rookie-smith-for-2023 Van Amersfoort Racing sign Australian rookie Smith for 2023] {{Webarchive. link. (28 January 2023 FIAFormula3® - The Official F3® Website. 22 December 2022)
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