Transport and logistics company, Qube, has trialled a double stacked container trailer for the first time on public roads in Australia.
The trial was conducted last week at the Port of Brisbane, with the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) and the Australian Road Research Board (ARRB) in attendance to evaluate the vehicle’s safety performance.
The trial saw the trailer carry eight empty twenty-foot equivalent containers on a defined route within Qube’s port facilities and limited public port roads, under stringent safety and operational conditions.
Port of Brisbane Pty Ltd (PBPL) CEO, Neil Stephens, congratulated everyone involved following the successful trial.
“This is a fantastic outcome for Qube and all parties involved today,” he said.
“It’s also a clear demonstration of the collaboration and innovation being achieved by our customers and partners here at the Port that’s enhancing productivity and efficiency in their operations.”
As Port Manager, Stephens said one of Qube’s key priorities is investing in infrastructure to support supply chain efficiency.
“We were pleased to deliver road improvement works and upgrade the access/egress to a number of facilities to support this new vehicle and Qube’s innovation,” he said.
Manufactured by The Drake Group, the O’Phee Super B-double/B-triple combination has the potential to move 12 x 20′ containers at a time.
The trailer was first revealed in Australia at the Southbank Truck Festival as part of the 2023 Brisbane Truck Show, presented by Mick O’Phee.
“We hope you enjoy the O’Phee ‘London’ combination, proudly designed and manufactured here in Brisbane by The Drake Group team and can see what we have done to play our special part in the transport industry,” he said.
“This 32-metre O’Phee ‘London’ Super B-double/B-triple Skel trailer combination is a first of its kind in the world, with a fully Australian-compliant load restraint system which is also another first.”
The nickname ‘London’ was a term O’Phee Trailers used during the concept, design, manufacturing and approval process of the Super B-double to keep the project under the radar.
Based on the famous London double decker buses, ‘London’ has now become a world-first, 32-metre Super B-double designed for innovation and productivity.
The Drake Group Director, Sam Drake, said the product was initially thought out to increase efficiencies for carrying empty containers on the port of Brisbane.
“We’ve worked with the customer, the Port of Brisbane, the NHVR and other relevant authorities to come up with an approved Double Stack Container Super B-double Skel trailer combination that can be operated on the port precinct,” he said.
“The purpose is to shift as many empty containers as possible in the most efficient way on the port precinct.
“So, we’re hoping that it’s something people see as a viable solution and get excited.”
Following the successful trial, all parties are confident the combination will increase operational efficiencies while contributing to lower emissions by eliminating truck movements.