8 Steps to Seamless Project Logistics
Tasked with planning the logistics for an upcoming project but don’t know where to start?
We get it.
We specialise in logistics and know the ins and outs of load planning, organising customs and Port services, permitting, loading and handling, fuel management and transport.
We support construction, civil engineering, oil and gas, mining and resources and Government projects across Far North Australia - reaching regional and remote locations across the Northern Territory and Queensland.
If there’s a tricky project site or oversized cargo to be moved, we’ve probably done it!
To help you develop the best project logistics plan we’ve pulled together our best tips so you can get the best quote, reduce risk and get the job done.
8 Steps to Plan Your Project’s Logistics
These eight steps will help you gather the right information and ensure your logistics provider creates a detailed and competitive quote.
Scope
Location
Schedule
Quantities
Costs
Environmental Considerations
Risk Management
Communication
Want a quick reference guide? Download our Pro Tips cheat sheet and plan like a pro.
1. Scope
Share a high level project overview with your logistic provider so they understand the big picture and can propose solutions for you.
IE: “Project Alpha is critical infrastructure project for Queensland, which will see the high power transmission line from Town A to Town B upgraded over two years starting from Date. We require a logistics provider to receive all incoming materials from the Port of Townsville and our selected steel fabricator, temporarily store and forward all freight to Destination. The construction phase of the project is scheduled to start on Date. A bill of materials and plant equipment that needs to be onsite before construction start date is attached.”
2. Location
Australia is a vast country and most off-the-beaten-track project sites don’t have any signage. “200km north-west of Alice Springs” isn’t quite specific enough.
When your project site is regional or remote, provide as detailed a location you can - a Lot + road address, Station or a GPS coordinate. Got a tricky site location? Let your provider know about spillways, floodplains and dirt tracks.
Can your logistics provider can get there and back at all times of the year? With over 40 years experience in the Top End, Distribution Direct has contacts with operators who grade the roads outback. We’ll check the road conditions with them so we can advise of best movement times during the wet and dry seasons.
3. Schedule
Outline the cadence of your project. Are there key phases and deadlines to meet?
If there are planned movements of international freight, when will your ship arrive?
Pro Tip! If your project has multiple movements you can have your logistics planned and priced by staging equipment, break bulk, containerised freight and/or by pallet load. Talk to your provider.
4. Quantities
Be sure to have the dimensions and weight of the cargo you need moved. Not sure what this might be? Look for:
The freight dimensions on your shipping manifest or manufacturer’s packaging instructions
Using shipping containers? What quantity and dimensions are you expecting?
Highlight any over-dimensional freight early as this may require permits and pilots.
Still not sure? Early estimates are fine for planning purposes but remember to revisit dimensions and quantities later.
IE: We need to get 30 cable drums of varying sizes and weights moved to Site B. Drums will arrive in outsized shipping containers and come in the following sizes: 1.5mtr diameter 300kg / 3mt diameter 500kg / 6mtr diameter 1.2t. All drums 1.2mtrs high.
5. Costs
While your estimates of feasibility study needs a smart estimate, projects will also need to have some flexibility to respond to changes in scope or external factors like weather and breakdowns/ unscheduled shutdowns.
Consider how you want your costs broken down so you can plan with confidence:
Cost per load (ie: Triple Road train, B-double etc)
By project phase
Per unit shipped (ie: pallets, drums, linear meters, shipping container etc)
6. Environmental Considerations
Flag any site specific restrictions or certifications required.
In understanding your destination, routes and cargo, your logistics planner should advise you of any local, State and Federal Government regulations you’ll need to consider - such as access for road trains, curfews for over-dimensional freight and permits.
Pro Tip! Your logistics provider will need to apply for transport permits so allow time to do so.
7. Risk Management
If you brief them correctly, an experienced logistics provider can identify potential risks to your project and help you manage their likelihood or impact.
For example, it can take up to 28 days to secure a permit in some regions. Have you checked locals regulations? Is your provider permitted?
What impact will weather have on road quality and site access?
Do you need staging to minimise storage and traffic on site?
Poor communication can costs your project in delays and additional cost which brings us to our last tip…
8. Communication
Clarify who’s the logistics lead for the project. Is it the same point of contact for specific cargo or customs paperwork? Who should the logistics provider contact when arriving on site?
Lastly, your logistics provider should be a trusted adviser who will put forward solutions. Not sure of something? Ask away - your question may save you thousands.
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