On Wednesday last week, Freight Victoria partnered with LaunchVIC to host the inaugural ‘Innovation Mission for Freight’, a unique networking and knowledge-sharing event that brought together industry experts to explore how technology and innovation could provide solutions to challenges faced by the freight industry.
Freight Victoria sits within the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning and has the critical role of coordinating the development of an efficient freight and logistics system through the delivery of the Victorian Freight Plan.
LaunchVIC is Victoria’s startup agency and focuses on fuelling the growth of the State’s start-up sector and its long-term success.
Minister for Ports and Freight Mellissa Horne opened the event, and attendees heard from a wide range of insightful speakers, which included freight and transport associations such as Container Transport Alliance Australia (CTAA) and the Freight and Trade Alliance (FTA).
Technical presentations were provided by start-up companies in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data space, freight movement planning, eCommerce and automated warehousing.
HVIA Chief Technical Officer Adan Ritzinger was invited to the inaugural event to chair the afternoon’s session on the transition to a low-carbon freight network.
This session featured HVIA member NewVolt, which gave an update on its ground-breaking push into developing a nationwide network of charging hubs to deliver low-cost, reliable fast charging powered by renewable energy for electrified truck fleets.
Technology provider JetCharge also presented in the session, explaining its work in truck depot electrification, and key considerations. It was joined by telematics start-up Sky Ledge, which identified the power of data in identified operational inefficiencies.
The day ended with a ‘speed dating’ session where freight operators, regulators and associations had the opportunity to discuss and identify two-way opportunities available through the deployment of the technologies and capabilities presented throughout the day.
Adam praises Freight Victoria and LaunchVIC for hosting the session. “It is so encouraging to see such a vibrant and active technology start-up sector in Victoria, so actively promoted by our state governments and agencies,” he says.
“Expanding Australia’s position as a knowledge economy with a growing emphasis on industries and innovation offers long-term security, and great opportunities for freight and transport.
“I’m particularly encouraged by the decarbonisation opportunities, and more-recently the role that AI could play in our sector in the future”.