Toll unveils high-tech tankers

Logistics heavyweight Toll Group has taken delivery of a fleet of new fuel tankers, which it says are the safest and most advanced in Australia

Toll Group recently unveiled some of its new fleet of Tieman-built tankers in Adelaide, the BA triple units incorporating a variety of cutting-edge safety technologies and two sporting unique 'Indigenous Australian' branding.

A total of 13 new BA triples have been purchased by Toll: nine to transport water around central Australia's Cooper Basin and four to transport crude oil from Mereenie in the Northern Territory to Port Bonython (near Whyalla) in South Australia for oil and gas giant Santos.

Hauled by modern Kenworth prime movers, the full rigs cost around $1 million each and feature in-vehicle monitoring systems, seeing-eye technology, outward-facing cameras, real-time satellite tracking, and electronic braking systems with anti-roll technology.

The General Manager for Toll Energy, Glenn Benson, said safety for employees and the communities in which Toll operates remains a priority of the utmost importance.

"Our focus on the safety of our vehicles out on the road is a key part of our safety commitment to our communities, regardless of whether they’re in urban, regional or remote areas," he said.

"We are proud to operate a fleet that enhances the safety of its drivers and other road users, while at the same time improving the productivity of our operations and the service we are able to provide to our customers."

Two of the new tankers were recently displayed at a customer event in Adelaide, where the unique Indigenous Australian branding featured on one – a first for Toll – attracted plenty of attention.

Mr Benson said the design served as a reminder of Toll Group's approach to working with Indigenous people and communities.

"For many years Toll has been engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities throughout Australia in relation to training and employment opportunities, procurement of business and providing in-kind support," he said.

"We look forward to the continued support of our employees, local communities and customers such as Santos on our journey of Indigenous Australian engagement."

The artwork on the tankers was created by Indigenous artist Marcus Lee as a component of Toll Group's Reconciliation Action Plan, which seeks to "create relationships with Indigenous communities, generate respect within and outside the Toll community, establish a greater understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture within [Toll's] Australian operations and develop opportunities for economic development and growth within the Toll business and within the communities in which Toll operates".

Mr Lee is pictured second from right, along with Santos Mereenie General Manager Simon Chipperfield (far left), Kaurna Senior Cultural Custodian Karl Telfer (second from left), and Toll Energy General Manager Glenn Benson (far right).

Mr Lee's design is said to reflect the daily movements of the transport and logistics industry, while also representing "the many and varied employment pathways within a multilevel logistics business".

Born in Darwin but now based in Melbourne, Mr Lee is a descendent of the Karajarri people. His studio has produced Indigenous-themed work for a number of major clients over the years, including Australia Post, Wesfarmers, Cancer Council NSW and National Australian Bank, among others.

While two of the new BA triples feature the Indigenous Australian branding two of the four new BA triple water tankers have adopted a special safety-themed branding, while the remainder of the new additions bear the regular Toll branding.

Toll unveils high-tech tankers

Tags