DB Schenker moves to green mega hub in Melbourne

Green Star terminal for wide range of services / Modern multi purpose facility

Essen/Sydney, DB Schenker is building a green mega hub in Melbourne. According to plan, Schenker Australia Pty Ltd will expand its forwarding and logistics operations with a new facility located directly at Melbourne’s international airport in July. The hub comprises of 11,000 square meters warehouse area for a wide range of logistics services and 2,500 square meters office space for 230 employees. The new building will bring teams together that currently work in four different locations.

The facility has a strong environmental focus. The mega hub will store 450,000 litres of rainwater, whereof 350,000 litres are permanently stored for fire protection and 100,000 litres will be re-used for irrigation systems. Additionally, toilets in the main office and warehouse block will be using rain water, which will reduce the water consumption for that purpose by up to 70 percent for the whole facility. With the installation of solar panels, and conversion of 80 percent of all forklifts to electric forklifts, energy consumption will be significantly reduced. Furthermore, the south facing office complex adjacent to the warehouse will minimize direct sun light impact and lead to a 40 percent reduction in energy consumption for cooling. The in-house recycling programs shall minimize landfill/general waste by 60 percent. The setup installation of office fit-out and services will achieve Green Star rating. This is a comprehensive, national, voluntary environmental rating scheme that evaluates the environmental design and achievements of buildings.

DB Schenker’s customers will benefit from the new synergies the mega hub will create. Streamlined processes and the strategic location at Melbourne Airport will speed-up services from customs clearance to delivery. Equipped with state-of-the-art pallet handling equipment, temperature control and high security storage facilities, this modern multi purpose facility is designed to cater for a wide range of services. With 300 daily truck runs, 2,000 tonnes of air freight and more than 150 containers per month, the new mega hub will increase efficiencies in freight turnover significantly.

Ron Koehler, CEO of Schenker Australia Pty Ltd says: “The new hub proves that economic and environmental initiatives go hand in hand. By using rain water and solar energy we protect the environment and operate cost efficiently at the same time. Long-term commitment and investment in sustainable practices are part of our core values and by contributing to the environment all stakeholders of Schenker Australia Pty Ltd will benefit.”