Queensland Government policy proposals hint at a plan to move large freight between the state’s ports, rather than on its roads.

The plan for intra-state port-based freight is one idea being canvassed as part of ongoing efforts to improve the way things move around Queensland and to neighbouring locales.

The Queensland Ports Strategy 2014 (PDF) document states government bodies will: “Aim to investigate means by which certain cargoes, particularly over size over mass (OSOM) mining equipment, can be redirected off Queensland roads and onto coastal shipping services.

“The SFAP [Sea Freight Action Plan] will also consider an expanded use of shipping containers to support agricultural exports.

“A key benefit of such a plan will be to free up space on existing supply chain modes that are stressed.

“In particular, shifting OSOM equipment from being trucked along the Bruce Highway to a coastal shipping model will improve safety on public road infrastructure.

“The SFAP will examine the capability of existing port and land based infrastructure to accommodate the handling of identified cargoes.

“In order to improve the performance of supply chains, the SFAP will outline actions for government to work with commercial operators to facilitate the introduction of dedicated intra-state coastal shipping services between ports.”

There are numerous efforts going on to direct more of the supply chain to the state’s five Priority Port Development Areas; Townsville, Abbot Point, Hay Point and Mackay, Gladstone and Brisbane.