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Rail Freight Transport in Australia - Industry Market Research Report

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    Report

  • 72 Pages
  • September 2024
  • Region: Australia
  • IBISWorld
  • ID: 4062041

Tracks over trucks: High crude oil prices make rail freight more cost effective than road freight

Operating conditions have been challenging in the Rail Freight Transport industry over the past few years. Rail freight transport firms mainly transport bulk and non-bulk products to and from Australia's sea ports, and changes in Australia's international trade influence their performance. The COVID-19 pandemic didn't significantly dampen the total mass of exports by sea, which have continued to rise. However, the world price of crude oil has fluctuated because supply outpaced lower demand in 2020. When crude oil prices fall, fuel tends to become cheaper. Rail freight transport firms face a lot of competition from road freight transport. While rail freight is more fuel efficient and favoured for transporting high volumes over long distances, road freight has the advantage of speed and lower costs. Lower fuel prices over the two years through 2020-21 heightened competition from road freight, dampening performance. However, operators made up some of this lost revenue through meeting elevated demand from the agriculture sector, particularly in the bulk freight segment. Revenue is expected to keep growing at an annualised 0.6% to an estimated $8.3 billion over the five years through 2022-23, as high crude oil prices over the past two years have elevated demand for rail freight. This trend includes an estimated drop of 2.9% in 2022-23, since a dip in crude oil prices is encouraging more competition from road transport.

Rail freight transport firms primarily operate railways to transport freight. The industry does not include rail freight terminal operations or private railroads operated in-house for transporting goods.

This report covers the scope, size, disposition and growth of the industry including the key sensitivities and success factors. Also included are five year industry forecasts, growth rates and an analysis of the industry key players and their market shares.

Table of Contents

ABOUT THIS INDUSTRY
  • Industry Definition
  • Main Activities
  • Similar Industries
  • Additional Resources
INDUSTRY AT A GLANCE

INDUSTRY PERFORMANCE
  • Executive Summary
  • Key External Drivers
  • Current Performance
  • Industry Outlook
  • Industry Life Cycle
PRODUCTS & MARKETS
  • Supply Chain
  • Products & Services
  • Demand Determinants
  • Major Markets
  • International Trade
  • Business Locations
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
  • Market Share Concentration
  • Key Success Factors
  • Cost Structure Benchmarks
  • Basis of Competition
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Industry Globalization
MAJOR COMPANIES

OPERATING CONDITIONS
  • Capital Intensity
  • Technology & Systems
  • Revenue Volatility
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Industry Assistance
KEY STATISTICS
  • Industry Data
  • Annual Change
  • Key Ratios
JARGON & GLOSSARY

Companies Mentioned (Partial List)

A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes, but is not limited to:

  • Aurizon Holdings Limited
  • Pacific National Holdings Pty Ltd

Methodology

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