A newcomer in the haulage industry, Martinus is delivering some major projects while maintaining a customer-first approach.
When Lee Morrissey first meets with a potential client for rail infrastructure and haulage consultancy, there’s only one question on his mind.
Martinus’ national business development manager – haulage said it’s not about annual tonnes, or mining production rates, or distances to port. Rather, it’s a question that gets straight to the heart of the very specific haulage challenge being faced at that time.
“The first question we always ask is: what’s not working in your supply chain?” Morrissey told Australian Mining. “That opens up the conversation to the places where we can really have an impact and make a difference in clients’ haulage and logistics.”
The answers are invariably always different. From take-and-pay obligations forcing unsustainable production profiles to unreliable infrastructure to rolling stock that is outdated, every mining operation has its own concerns and opportunities.
Such bespoke circumstances require bespoke solutions, and Martinus prides itself on designing a best-fit answer to each client’s specific haulage challenge.
“We are genuinely trying to deliver bespoke solutions and value for the customer at every stage,” Morrissey said. “It’s their business, so what’s important to them becomes what’s most important to us.”
With most Australian mining operations connected to their end users by rail, Martinus is well-placed to have an impact.
“Martinus has got the skill and experience to construct new connections to the rail, build associated infrastructure, and provide haulage services,” he said.
Martinus’ infrastructure and haulage services are available throughout Australia, and also internationally. While still a relative newcomer to the rail haulage scene, the company has already participated in some significant projects for both public and private causes.
That includes upgrading and enhancing rail across a 355km section of the Inland Rail project in southern New South Wales, civil and trackwork for the Carmichael coal mine in central Queensland, and refurbishment works at the Port Kembla coal terminal.
Rolling stock advantage
Regardless of the exact solution, one of the biggest differentiators for Martinus in a competitive market is its sourcing of highest-quality wagons, and locomotives.
“Everything we’re doing is based on new rolling stock coming into the country,” Morrissey said. “We’re coming in with new technology that delivers reliability, and reduces unplanned outages. This in turn translates to additional revenue for our customers.”
Newer equipment means even more choices for miners and rail operators.
“The beauty of technology these days is that it makes the locomotive choices worldwide now quite broad,” Morrissey said.
The “fit for purpose” engines still exist and will get the job done, he notes.
But they share the stage with a variety of different locomotive products that have greater environmental credentials.
“If the environment is something that a customer is paying particular attention to – as many mining operations do – then there are locomotive solutions that head down that path as well,” Morrissey said.
“We’re offering customers the choice on how they want to run.”
Flexibility in terms
Martinus’ bespoke mindset does not just apply to its construction work, products, and services. Morrissey said it also extends to the contract terms and the way miners pay to transport their production to ports and markets.
While take-or-pay contracts dominate the rail haulage market – requiring miners to pay for transport services regardless of production levels – Martinus is deliberately offering a different approach.
“There’s a lot of haulage agreements that come with a take-or-pay element, which means you’ll be paying revenue no matter what your mine does,” Morrissey explained. “We’re trying to take a different approach.”
While Martinus still offers this style of deal for clients focused on the best pricing outcomes, the company is also willing to craft more flexible agreements that adapt to mine sites’ actual needs.
“We’re trying to flip the script,” he said. “Our customers should be able to continue with their mining, and we’ll build a contract that suits their business, rather than the logistics contract driving mining behaviour which can lead to some disastrous outcomes.”
With the Australian mining sector increasingly focused on operational efficiency and supply chain resilience, Martinus’s client-first approach positions the company as a valuable partner for operations seeking tailored haulage solutions.
By combining cutting-edge rolling stock, flexible contract structures, and deep rail infrastructure expertise, the company is helping miners optimise their logistics, while maintaining control over their core business operations.
This article appeared in the October issue of Australian Mining magazine.