Australian National Line Overview and Services

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An Australian Shepherd Standing on a Field with Purple Heather
Credit: pexels.com, An Australian Shepherd Standing on a Field with Purple Heather

The Australian National Line offers a wide range of services to cater to the diverse needs of its customers.

As a freight rail operator, the Australian National Line provides services to various industries, including mining, agriculture, and manufacturing.

One of the key services offered by the Australian National Line is the transportation of coal and iron ore from mines to ports, which is a vital part of Australia's economy.

The Australian National Line's network spans over 20,000 kilometers of track, making it one of the largest rail networks in the country.

History of Australian National Line

The Australian National Line has a rich history that spans over a century. It was established in 1947 as a government-owned rail freight company, with the primary goal of connecting the country's major cities and industries.

The Australian National Line was formed from the merger of several smaller rail companies, including the Commonwealth Railways and the Australian Railway Union. This consolidation allowed for a more efficient and streamlined rail network.

Train Track
Credit: pexels.com, Train Track

In the early years, the Australian National Line focused on providing rail services to the country's major mining and agricultural regions. This included transporting coal, iron ore, and wheat to ports and markets.

The introduction of new technologies and locomotives in the 1960s and 1970s enabled the Australian National Line to increase its efficiency and capacity. This included the introduction of diesel-electric locomotives, which reduced fuel consumption and increased power.

By the 1980s, the Australian National Line had become a major player in the country's rail industry, with a network of over 15,000 kilometers of track. This allowed for the transportation of vast quantities of goods across the country.

Privatisation and Ownership

Australian National Line's privatization journey was a complex one. The company was converted into a public company in 1989, but it remained government-owned.

The Hawke government announced its intention to privatise ANL in 1991 due to poor financial performance. This marked a significant shift in the company's ownership.

In 1998, the Howard government sold ANL's liner shipping business to CMA CGM. The sale included two ships, the Australian Endeavour and Australian Enterprise.

Privatisation

Queensland Rail train arrives at Loganlea Station in Queensland, Australia, showcasing public transport.
Credit: pexels.com, Queensland Rail train arrives at Loganlea Station in Queensland, Australia, showcasing public transport.

ANL was converted into a public company in 1989 via the ANL (Conversion into Public Company) Act 1988, although it remained government-owned. This move paved the way for the company's eventual privatization.

The Hawke government announced its intention to privatise ANL in 1991, citing poor financial performance. This decision marked a significant turning point for the company.

A deal to sell ANL to P&O collapsed in 1996 after the Maritime Union of Australia threatened a national strike. This setback delayed the privatization process.

In 1998, the Howard government sold ANL's liner shipping business to CMA CGM, which included two ships: Australian Endeavour and Australian Enterprise. This marked the beginning of the end of ANL's government ownership.

The bulk shipping business was sold to Auscan Self-Unloaders, a subsidiary of Canada Steamship Lines, in 1999, with two ships: River Torrens and River Yarra. This sale was a key part of the privatization process.

The residual assets of four leased ships were placed in the custody of the Australian River Company Limited. This company was later wound up in 2015.

Curious to learn more? Check out: Ships of Carnival Cruise Line

Fully-Owned Subsidiary

Tourists enjoy a scenic train ride through the lush landscape of Iguazú National Park, Argentina.
Credit: pexels.com, Tourists enjoy a scenic train ride through the lush landscape of Iguazú National Park, Argentina.

Australian National Line operates as a fully owned subsidiary of CMA CGA, which is ranked as the third-largest container shipping company in the world.

This means that CMA CGA has complete control over ANL, and it's no longer an Australian-owned company.

Only the agency operations of ANL, which employs about 300 people, are based in Australia.

Services and Features

The Australian National Line offers a range of services and features that cater to different needs and preferences.

The line operates over 8,500 kilometers of track, making it one of the largest rail networks in the world.

The Australian National Line provides freight services, transporting goods such as coal, iron ore, and grain across the country.

With a fleet of over 2,000 locomotives and rolling stock, the line is well-equipped to handle a high volume of cargo.

Services

If you're looking for accurate estimates of your shipment's arrival time, you can rely on Terminal49's tracking capabilities. We've found that Australia National Line's estimated time of arrival (ETA) is often not as accurate as you'd hope, with actual times of arrival (ATA) frequently differing from the estimated time.

View of a railway station platform and tracks through a train window in black and white.
Credit: pexels.com, View of a railway station platform and tracks through a train window in black and white.

Our data shows that when ANL says a shipment is 20 days from arrival, the ETA is only accurate about half the time. This can be frustrating for businesses that need to plan around shipments.

To get more accurate ETAs, we recommend using Terminal49's tracking capabilities, which can get you up-to-date and more accurate ETAs than carrier data alone. This is because we track vessel data as well as carrier data.

You can track your shipments with Terminal49 in several ways, including:

  • Dashboard form
  • Upload a CSV
  • Email us a CSV
  • API

These options make it easy to get the data you need to make informed decisions about your shipments.

Site vs Terminal49

Using the Australia National Line site or Terminal49 to track your containers and shipments can be a bit confusing, but let's break it down. Terminal49 offers a more comprehensive platform to track all your ANNU containers and shipments under one place.

You can use the Australia National Line site to get updates on your containers and shipments, but it's not as streamlined as using Terminal49. Terminal49 provides automatic refreshes and updates in whatever way is most convenient for you.

Curious to learn more? Check out: Carnival Cruise Line Storm Updates

Tracking and Shipping

Container ship sailing through the waters of Terneuzen, Netherlands.
Credit: pexels.com, Container ship sailing through the waters of Terneuzen, Netherlands.

Tracking and Shipping can be a breeze with Australia National Line. You can track a single shipment or multiple shipments across all major ocean carriers, including Australia National Line, and get timely and accurate updates in one platform.

Terminal49 is a great option for streamlining and automating your container tracking tasks, saving you hours of labor and preventing unnecessary demurrage and per diem charges.

Going to the official Australia National Line site is also an option, but it's a manual and tedious process to get the status of a single container or shipment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the annual revenue of ANL?

ANL Container Line's annual revenue is approximately $2.8 billion. This figure represents the company's total revenue generated from water freight transport in 2023.

How to check anl parcel status?

To check the status of your ANL parcel, use the ANL website and enter your booking reference, B/L, or container number. This will give you the most up-to-date information about your shipment's current status.

Jessie Smith

Senior Writer

Jessie Smith is a versatile writer with a passion for crafting informative and engaging content. With a keen interest in travel and aviation, Jessie has established herself as a go-to expert on air travel procedures, providing readers with valuable insights and practical advice. Her articles are a testament to her dedication to helping others navigate the complexities of air travel, making her a trusted voice in the industry.

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