First roll-on roll-off vessel arrives at the port of Mackay QLD
The National Group welcomed the first roll-on roll-off vessel at the port of Mackay, QLD today. The vessel named ‘Viking Destiny’, owned by HOEGH Auto Liners arrived at 10am Thursday 23rd of August, 2018 and was greeted by a welcoming reception from Darren Fursman, Trade Development Manager of North Queensland Bulk Ports, various media representatives and captivated locals.
The port of Mackay is near the mining hotspot of the Bowen Basin and with the first roll-in roll-off vessel now operating in this region, it will give Mackay a well needed economic boost. The vessel measuring 199m long by 32m wide, now provides a direct route to the North of Queensland, making the port of Mackay an attractive location to ship large plant and equipment in and out of Australia. Previously, large shipments had to be directed through Brisbane and transported by road to Mackay.
The first shipment to arrive on this roll-on roll-off vessel included National Group’s four ultra-class CAT 794 Dump Trucks and a T282 Liebherr Dump Truck Chassis. This large heavy mining equipment load is currently en route and will be delivered to National Mining Services, transported by National Heavy Haulage, both subsidiary companies of The National Group.
Mark Ackroyd, CEO and Managing Director of the National Group noted that “this is the first time a vessel of this kind has operated in and out of the Mackay port, which is a huge milestone and a turning point for the region, and the mining & construction sector as a whole”.
“I would firstly like to thank North Queensland Bulk Ports for their efforts. Without their support, this important initiative would not have been possible. The roll-on roll-off vessel is a game changer as it will create opportunities in the region for locals, employees within the mining, construction and transport industries and will help put the port of Mackay on the international map” said Mark Ackroyd.
The National Group comprises of leading companies from the mining, resource, logistics and personnel supply industries. Servicing some of the biggest names in mining and with an excellent record, the National Group has built a reputation as being ‘unstoppable’ in heavy earthmoving equipment, provides end-to-end production mining services and heavy haulage transportation.
