Heavy loads All-electric

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Volvo Trucks. Driving Progress

> Viva Energy secures ADF fuel supply contract

A new contract executed with the Department of Defence will see Viva Energy Refining supply aviation, marine and ground fuel to the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

The Fuel Supply Contract is for an initial six-year term which may be extended to 12 years. It will see Viva Energy play a key role in underpinning Australia’s national security through supply of fuel to the ADF both locally and internationally.

As part of the deal and as an important Australian Industry Capability activity, Viva Energy will resume production at Geelong Refinery of F-44 (Avcat) or JP-5, a military specification aviation turbine fuel used on aircraft carriers. Currently, this high-flash jet fuel is manufactured and imported from overseas.

The scope of the contract will see Viva Energy supplying fuel to all Defence Fuel Installations (DFIs) around Australia and the RMAF Base Butterworth in Malaysia. Viva Energy will also be responsible for fuel supply to ADF aircraft and vessels at all commercial airports, ports and marinas in Australia and around the world.

Viva Energy CEO and MD Scott Wyatt said the agreement expands Viva Energy’s important role in fuel security and extends its strategic relationship with the ADF. “This is a significant contract for both our Refining and Commercial & Industrial businesses,” said Wyatt.

“We are delighted to extend our strategic relationship with the Commonwealth and look forward to supporting the ADF’s Australian and international fuel requirements as a key enabler of their capability,” he said. “The resumption of local manufacturing of F-44 (Avcat) at Geelong Refinery is a highlight, reinforcing our commitment to the nation’s energy security.”

The announcement also builds on Viva’s project to construct 90 million litres of diesel storage tanks on the site, due for completion in 2024.

Under the contract Viva Energy would work with the ADF on energy transition and renewable fuels the company said in a statement.

“I would like to thank the Commonwealth for its confidence in Viva Energy and look forward to successfully implementing this contract and delivering a safer, simpler and more assured Defence Fuel Supply Chain in collaboration with the ADF,” said Wyatt. Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy, said the Federal Government was proud to be supporting Australian industry and jobs rather than importing Specialist Military Aviation Fuel.

“Coming after years of declining local oil refining and fuel production, this will be good for Australia’s defence, good for Australia’s energy security and good for Australian jobs,” said Conroy. “We are really pleased about the difference this will make in the regional centre of Geelong in Victoria. The Government is working hard to build a resilient fuel supply for Defence and to strengthen Australia’s national security — and this domestic fuel supply contract will contribute to this.”

> Toll adds 30 new UD Quons

The supermarket arm of logistics powerhouse, Toll Group, has taken delivery of eight new UD Quons. These are the first units in an order of 30 trucks to service the Woolworths site at Minchinbury for deployment across the Sydney metropolitan area.

The Euro 6 UD Quon GW460 is powered by an 11-Litre engine delivering up to 460hp and 2200Nm of torque. It is paired with an ESCOTT-VI transmission.

A TN360 Teletrac Navman telematics system in the vehicles provides the capability of operating as an electronic work diary in the future and will accommodate other projects Toll is working on as it moves to a more digital environment according to Mark Haworth, Toll Operations Support Manager.

“We have also added the Seeing Machines Guardian DSS system in the trucks which detect driver fatigue and driver distractions, alerting the driver to these events, as well as alerting supervisors of these events, of which fatigue events are acted upon immediately,” he said.

The Guardian technology has been at the forefront of the fleet for detecting fatigue and distraction related events. Other standard safety features in the truck include Traffic eye cruise control, lane departure warning system, and UD’s own stability system.

These new UD Quons will form part of Toll’s fleet, along with 2022 MercedesBenz Actros prime movers, presently in service for over 200 Woolworths stores in the Sydney Metropolitan area. According to Haworth, reliability, servicing, fuel economy, and a driverfriendly interface are a cut above on the new UD Quon. There are other immediate benefits, too, that have been relayed by the drivers.

“Definitely the turning circle, for getting into and onto loading docks,” says Haworth.

“This is a crucial aspect of the truck.

“The JOST JSK-42 Air Release Turntable, which we run already, but again is proving beneficial for the drivers,” he adds.

Visibility when in the truck, as one driver David Andrew relayed via Haworth, is also outstanding.

“All the blind spots are covered which is important when travelling in Sydney traffic,” he said.

“In cab safety features are less intrusive, cruise control works well and driver comfort is very good.”

The new Teletrac Navman systems are being introduced for the first time at Toll Minchinbury.

“All our new trucks will have it added, [it’s] much easier to use and a lot more driver-friendly,” said Haworth.