Qube Holdings: Intermodal Logistics Analysis

This assignment requires an in-depth analysis of Qube Holdings' role in the Australian intermodal logistics sector. Students must evaluate the organization's positive and negative contributions, considering its infrastructure, services, and impact on overall efficiency. The analysis should also include specific recommendations for enhancing Qube Holdings' operations and promoting effective intermodal transportation.

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Executive Summary
The Logistics Management is identified as one of the widest fields in the international and local
level. The commuting of products from one place to another is a challenging task for the
organizations. To face these type of issues, it is essential to look forward for some specific
approaches. With the expansion of business on a wide level, the identification of logistics
management is essential to be identified.
In this report, the Intermodal transfer or Intermodal communication is selected for the discussion.
The organization which got selected for the discussion is considered as Qube, which is situated
in NSW. Qube mainly deals in the logistics management which includes railhub, warehouse and
management, container Park & other services and international freight forwarding. From the past
four years, the organization helps in providing assistance for specific growth and services to the
major areas of Australia. The major purpose to select this organization is to explore the
Intermodal transfer or communication among the port and inland Services. Due to the best
services and logistics management, the organization is also awarded as the Australia’s single best
service providing organization.
The major issues which are covered in this report are mainly related to the operational aspects
and management issues.
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Contents
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................4
Logistics Management in NSW...................................................................................................................5
Current issues faced by the organization.....................................................................................................6
Initiative to resolve problem........................................................................................................................7
Involvement of Government........................................................................................................................9
Sustainability Aspects...............................................................................................................................10
Recommendations.....................................................................................................................................11
Conclusion.................................................................................................................................................12
References.................................................................................................................................................13
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Introduction
Qube Logistics is identified are the renowned name in NSW, Australia. The aim of the
organization is to provide the best services to their customers in all the possible manners. The
Qube services provide innovated approach related to the connection of different ports, that’s why
it is also identified as one of the best integrated port services and Wharf Cartrage Services
provided organization. The different approaches and planned operational strategy are defined for
these clients. The wide range of services are provided to the clients on a definite level. These
services are named as export and import, Intermodal supply chain management & logistics, but
the Intermodal services of transport are considered as one of the major services provided by the
organization. The distribution channel of the organization is divided into various sections which
are named as the Victoria, NSW, Queensland and many other cities covered in Australia
The report defined below is divided into various sections described below:
 The executive summary will be helpful in throwing light on specific topics related to the
logistics management.
 The logistics management in NSW will directly focus on the working structure of the
Qube in NSW.
 The current issues faced by the organization are described in the third section of the
report.
 The specific points and solutions to solve the current situation will be the next step .The
sustainability will be helpful in defining the existence of the logistics and Intermodal
transmission in such a competitive environment (Qube Logistics, 2017).
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 Finally, the recommendations will be helpful in throwing light on suitable aspects related
to the improvement.
Logistics Management in NSW
As the description shows above that the Qube is identified as the brand name for the Logistics
management in NSW. To make a smooth flow of transport from one location to another, wide
range of services are required. Qube provides a wide range of services to different clients on the
local as well as on an international level, but from these services, the logistics management is
highlighted more. To manage the logistics, it is essential to identify a definite set of connectivity
in a well-organized manner.
The operational aspects of an organization depend on the port services, which are provided to the
clients. There are various ports identified in NSW, which should be connected to each other for
maintaining the flow of material from one direction to another. To manage this flow, specific and
planned strategy should be required in a definite manner. The large varieties of Intermodal
channels are specified on the basis of nearby places. The different Intermodal transfer chain is
divided into various sections which are defined below in an organized format. These distribution
channels are specifically designed for the NSW.
 Port Botany Freight Terminal
 Port Botany Intermodal Terminal
 Yennora Intermodal Terminal
 Macarthur Intermodal Terminal
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Current issues faced by the organization
The Qube logistics are facing various issues from past various years. As the supply chain and
logistics depend upon the Intermodal transfer, so it is essential to manage processes of
transmission in all the directions. It is defined that there are three different ports and inland
services holding by the outlet situated in the NSW. While managing the flow of intermediate
transmission, there is a surplus amount of problems that are faced by the organization . These
problems are mentioned below on specific levels:
 The first issue is related to updating of the product. For an example, if the product is
dispatched from Victoria, then it becomes hard for the consumers to understand by when
it will reach to Queensland. The specific system requirement is essential for this type of
intermediate communication (Stewart, 2011).
 On the port level, it becomes easier to manage the intermediate transfer because; the
organization is the key player in identifying major skills related to the port handling
issues, but the coordination of the inland procedure with port management system is
difficult to be handled. To manage both the systems in a definite manner, it is essential to
come up with an appropriate operational plan. By this, suitable output can be achieved on
a definite level.
 With reference to NSW, total four terminals are operated in a simultaneous manner. To
manage the coordination among the signals, there is an important factor, i.e. suitable
coordination. If the coordination is not successful, then it will become difficult to manage
the signal system among all terminals. In this process, well-organized signaling system is
required and to overcome this issue, the technical signaling system should be well
organized and specifically executed (UPS, 2016).
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 Apart from this, some general issues related to the logistics management, such as
packaging and dispersal are also becoming common day by day.
Some of the common solutions planned on definite level are required to manage these issues and
for identifying the major causes associated with the issue. The possible solutions are described
below:
Initiative to resolve problem
The wide range of initiatives and technical aspects are planned to solve specific problems. The
specific set of initiatives should be planned in such a manner, so that they can be able to handle
the situations related to the problems. The logistics management can only be possible when a
structured approach can be introduced to the clients. To face these issues on a wider level, some
technologies are also introduced in the organization regularly.The technologies will be helpful in
providing assistance for 24/7 on a definite basis. The specific tracking system will be helpful in
guiding and providing suitable specific feedback so far (NSW Government, 2017). The solutions
provided by the Qube solutions are defined below.
GPS based Geofence technology is identified as one of the most specific technology, which is
helpful in defining specific tracking of the current transport through which logistics are supplied
from one location to another. The GPS enabled devices are embedded in the mode of
transmission and through that, the execution by tracking may become easier. On both ends,
either customer or organizations can be able to manage the tracking easily.
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Transport and Warehouse Visibility System is another major security step planned by the Qube in
Australia. This system is quite sensitive and well organized to track the system for 24*7. By this,
system tracking may become easier and well-organized. The order progress and tracking of the
shipment product can be done on a wider level. To track consignment and to prove valid delivery
of the product, basic planning is approached to the consumers on a wider level (Zalai, 2014).
Global Track and Trace System mainly uses the IQ tracking tool for tracking the specific set of
consignments to the user. To track the material the customer-to-customer and business-to -
business process is identified in specific format. Apart from this, for international business
process, the specific customer care number is also allotted to the users, so that they can be able to
track their logistics accordingly. Also, the downloading facility for the latest documents and
identifying the most specific files from the official page of the website. So, to overcome all the
challenges either on a technical level or on supply chain level, the Qube is well prepared and
managed (Hoyle, 2016).
Apart from adapting these techniques for managing the intermediate process, it is also essential
to adapt most common approaches to solve the issues related to Qube logistics in Australia. The
most common approach is the satisfaction of customers. The customers should be well focused
and the criteria for improvement should also be adapted. In the intermediate process,
transmission modes of communication should be accurately placed and coordinated. The
centralized communication system for processing should be designed for avoiding the mis-
communication.
The suitable transmission should also manage through this process. The other aspect is related to
the generation of potential solution related to the logistics. The specific solution to the
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communication is identified as one of the most supporting and basic aspects, which defines
additional advantages. The adaptation of the evaluation and designing process will be helpful in
providing assistance for improvement on a larger level. The maintenance of logistics and
effective supply chain management through Intermodal communication.
Involvement of Government
While performing specific activities and logistics movements, it is essential for the organization
to come up with innovative approaches. The government plays the most specific role in
managing communication between two different channels or locations. Simultaneously, the
government can also able to generate different approaches through which communication and
freight management can improve on a wider level.
The first step of the government is to secure the supply chain management. The government of
Australia hired a highly dedicated team for taking care of the overall freight management. The
Intermodal communication is always secure in the safe hands. The potential cost of managing the
process is divided among the sender and receivers and the rest amount is borne by the
government (Winning, 2016).
The second support from the government is the management of integrity which is related to the
organization. The key aim of transmission of the product from one place to another as per the
requirement of consumers. The reduction of losses, transfer of the products and holding specific
control on the product quality are identified as some of the features mentioned in the
organization.
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Apart from this, the government also plays some peculiar role in the process of communication
and Intermodal transfer. The specific set of software and IT services is also planned by the
Australian government to improve the process of Intermodal transfer (Daté-Shappard, 2013).
Sustainability Aspects
After discussing the major issues and their possible solutions in the report, below are some of the
major aspects related to the sustainability which are also essential to understand. The
sustainability will be helpful in securing the major aspects related to the organization. The Qube
is the organization with such variations in the process of logistics and supply chain. Thus, the
sustainability should also be designed in such manner, so that the products can be secured up to
wide range.
The Qube covers major areas for sustainable development which are identified as the Port and
regional activity areas. To make the sustainability more live, it is essential to look forward for a
specific mode of communication. The total storage capacity of the containers is nearly 8000 FCL
and 9000 FCL for managing the sustainability in-line with its storage capacity, it is essential to
design variations in the process of sustainability (Thompson, 2016).
To manage the sustainability and to provide the real existence to products and logistics, it is
essential to hire suitable resources in different departments so that they can be able to provide
assistance on a wide landscape. To manage the sustainability, wide range of departments is
mentioned in the organizations which are named as Container handling services, Industrial
services, mining, General merchandising services, etc. should also be well defined. To manage
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the sustainability and for making the survival possibilities, these aspects are essential to consider
(SMH, 2016).
The role of Australian government also plays an important role in the management of
sustainability. To manage survival and sustainability, it is essential to put forward few but
specific approaches. There are definite rules and management system for maintaining the
sustainability on a larger level. The improvement can be carried out on the customer’s level and
an aggressive or more conscious development for the customers should be made so that they can
able to provide specific inputs on an organizational level. Apart from this, there are other
methods too, which majorly works to manage the sustainability.
Recommendations
After identifying the existing scenario relate to the Intermodal transfer of the products, there are
some recommendations as well which are addressed on a wider level. These recommendations
will be helpful in providing the assistance for improvement in processes. The updating of the
logistics management may also be helpful in providing an improved assistance level. Some of
the recommendations are mentioned below:
As, it is already defined that the port storage capacity of the products is high in the NSW, but the
suitable storage and specific checking will be helpful in providing the well approached
assistance. It is essential to look forward for the definite set of storage process.
The second recommendation is the automation of advanced and updated techniques. Though,
the organization holds very innovative and organized techniques for processing, but still the
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continuous improvement and processing is required essentially. By managing the techniques, a
suitable process of Intermodal transfer is required to be managed (SMH, 2016).
Apart from this, the feedbacks and optimization of the transport are considered as major factors
through which it may become easy to identify the management in the whole process of logistics.
The genuine customer’s feedbacks from the employees can help to improve the sources in a well
organized manner. The optimization will also be helpful in providing the specific flow of
transportation easily.
By considering these recommendations, it would become easy to manage the issues related to the
Intermodal transfers.
Conclusion
By evaluating the report on various parameters, the appropriate set of conclusion is drawn, i.e.
while keeping and considering full of positive and negative aspects related to the organization.
The wide range of specific results can be drawn this report. The positive aspects of the
Organization (i.e. Qube) is that it may be helpful in providing the assistance for Intermodal
transmission. The highest services providing organization belong to Australia. But, there are
some negative aspects as well about the organizations which would require some changes in the
existing infrastructure. By following and implying the recommendation and for effective flow, it
is essential to come up with new approaches and new ideas rigorously. Apart from the mentioned
points, the definite set of applications should be introduced at an organized level, through which
the facilities provided by the organization can be improved in a framed manner.
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References
Daté-Shappard, D., 2013. Abbott government needs to deliver, says Qube Holdings, Available
at: https://www.fool.com.au/2013/09/16/abbott-government-needs-to-deliver-says-qube-
holdings/
Hoyle, R., 2016. Brookfield Infrastructure, Qube Team Up on $6.7 Billion Asciano Bid,
Available at: https://www.wsj.com/articles/brookfield-infrastructure-qube-team-up-on-6-7-
billion-asciano-bid-1458013881
NSW Government, 2017. Transport for NSW website. [Online] Available at:
https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/.
Qube Logistics, 2017. Qube official website: New South Wales. [Online] Available at:
http://www.qube.com.au/logistics/facilities/new-south-wales.
SMH, 2016. Qube Holdings rights issue raises $250m from institutions, Available at:
http://www.smh.com.au/business/qube-holdings-rights-issue-raises-250m-from-institutions-
20160316-gnl3z7.html
Stewart, N., 2011. Australian Logistics Challenges And Solutions To Overcome Them, Available
at: https://www.theseus.fi/bitstream/handle/10024/35105/Stewart_Neil.pdf?sequence=1
Thompson, S., 2016. UBS, JPMorgan underwrite Qube's potential rights issue, Available at:
http://www.afr.com/street-talk/jpmorgan-ubs-launch-qubes-494m-rights-issue-20160314-gniys6
UPS, 2016. 3 logistics challenges to going global - and how to address them, Available at:
http://www.businessinsider.in/3-logistics-challenges-to-going-global-and-how-to-address-them/
articleshow/53215860.cms
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Winning, D., 2016. Qube to take full control of Moorebank logistics hub, Available at:
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/companies/qube-to-take-full-control-of-moorebank-
logistics-hub/news-story/cea631bc3ebf072ad352b6e50bc97e44
Zalai, P., 2014. Llau blog - how will moorebank deliver an "open access" solution?, Available at:
http://www.ftalliance.com.au/media/397
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