The MegaTrans 2026 exhibition and conference got underway in Melbourne yesterday, bringing hundreds of freight, logistics and transport operators, industry leaders and decision makers together for two days of networking, knowledge-sharing and debate about the future of Australia’s supply chains.
With the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre transformed into a showcase of the latest trucks, equipment, technology and services, the event, operated by Prime Creative Media, is the ideal nexus for an industry navigating rising operating costs, changing customer expectations, supply chain pressures and the transition towards more sustainable transport solutions.
MegaTrans’ first day was highlighted by 13 industry-oriented panel discussions and presentations.
At the MegaTrans Welcome Breakfast, Victorian Transport Association (VTA) CEO, Peter Anderson, said the biennial had become an important forum for Australia’s freight, logistics and transport industry to discuss the challenges and opportunities shaping its future.
Anderson highlighted the growing pressure on operators to improve sustainability while managing rising fuel and operating costs and meeting customer expectations. He said the transition to lower-emission technologies would be complex, requiring businesses to make practical investment decisions suited to their individual operations.
The VTA’s fifth Alternative Fuel Summit, to be held as part of MegaTrans on 17 September, will bring together operators, manufacturers, energy providers, government and industry experts to examine the opportunities and challenges associated with renewable fuels, battery electric vehicles and hydrogen.
Anderson said the VTA’s advocacy also remained focused on tackling sham contracting and supporting transport operators through industrial relations reforms. He emphasised the importance of collaboration between industry, government and businesses in finding practical solutions to the challenges facing freight and logistics.
He encouraged attendees to use MegaTrans to exchange knowledge, challenge ideas and build relationships that could help shape the industry’s future.
VTA breakfast guest, Victorian Minister for Ports and Freight, Melissa Horne, told the audience that Victoria’s freight and logistics sector is being supported through coordinated policy, infrastructure investment, decarbonisation and technology adoption.
The Victorian Government’s priorities include supporting freight as a critical part of the economy, the Minister said, saying that its key transport frameworks included the Victorian Commercial Port Strategy, Victorian Freight Plan and the Victorian Rail Freight Plan, due to be launched in Dandenong South later that day.
Minister Horne noted that the State Government had invested $181 million in network capital upgrades since the 2022 Megatrans event, while she said the Westgate Tunnel has delivered productivity improvements, with trucks arriving at the Port of Melbourne up to 40 minutes early after the route opened.
The Minister also highlighted that three port rail shuttle networks are being developed around Melbourne’s CBD, as part of the government’s infrastructure plans.
Prime Creative Media Chairman, John Murphy, highlighted the publishing company’s rich association with the VTA and the transport industry.
“For almost 30 years new we have maintained a position as an industry supporter and friend, working closely with the VTA and other ‘good guys’ in the industry for the sake of building a better industry for all,” he said.
“This year’s theme is the Sustainability Supply Chain of the Future. It is about decarbonising without undermining what works, automating without losing our people, building networks that serve our operators. It’s about increasing safety as well as productivity.
Murphy reiterated that the real value of MegaTrans was the conversations that will take place “and the support of this freight and logistics sustainable supply chains under one roof”.
He highlighted the introduction at this year’s MegaTrans of the new Operator Hub, presented by Geotab – creating a dynamic meeting space for operators and suppliers, featuring the likes of Amazon, DP World, UPS and Maersk.
Murphy noted the conference program was built around real-world pressures of the transport industry such as decarbonisation, automation, safety, personnel, cybersecurity and resilience.
The initial panel discussion, entitled Beyond Diesel – the Best Way Forward, saw panellists discussing a future transport sector, post-diesel and the impact of electric trucks, hydrogen, renewable fuels and other technologies.
The panel explored the issue that while reducing emissions is important, whatever comes next also has to be practical, affordable and capable of keeping Australia’s freight moving. As a result, the industry experts looked at the question of the best way forward for Australia’s trucking industry, and who needs to drive the change and how. Ultimately, they agreed that a multi-level partnership between government, industry and academia would help to accelerate the move to electric transportation.
The panel discussion entitled Future in Motion: The Tech Powering Tomorrow’s Transport saw industry leaders remark that there were huge opportunities across transport and logistics sector for the integration of technology.
The panel members agreed that technology is shifting Australian transport from basic tracking towards connected, insight-led, safer and more sustainable operations.
Matt Cooper, Managing Director of Fleetware and Tyre Hero described the move from “on the map” tracking to AI-based dashcams, fatigue and distraction monitoring, fuel-burn analysis and tyre-wear insights.
He highlighted trailers and tyres as under-monitored assets, noting that tyres can be the third or fourth-largest transport cost.
Daniel Adamek, VP Oceania of Ramco Systems, said the sector is progressing from visibility towards linking operational decisions to the P&L, while Charlie Brackley, Group Sales Director of Microlise, emphasised converting data into practical decisions.
Adamek noted that technology is under-connected rather than simply underused, while Brackley stressed ongoing implementation, review and value creation rather than repeatedly purchasing new tools.
The panellists agreed adoption is gradual and varies by operator and region; AI-enabled cameras are becoming the next default technology after conventional cameras. They said that siloed systems, spreadsheets and poor data connectivity remain blockers
A panel session entitled Powering the Supply Chain discussed how to achieve the goal of running all operations on 100 per cent renewable electricity, transforming supply chain sustainability and reducing emissions.
One issue the panel members highlighted was the need for greater certainty on infrastructure policies to help develop more electric vehicle usage.
More government policies were needed to accelerate the process of EV adoption, the panellists agreed. Coupled with this was the topic of the need for greater access to more power grids through improved infrastructure.
Linfox CEO, Mark Mzaurek, was able to highlight the company’s sustainability actions including its partnership venture with Bunnings to deliver two new zero-emission electric Volvo FM electric prime movers to Bunnings’ Dandenong Distribution Centre. The e-trucks will be used for deliveries to Bunnings’ warehouses around the Melbourne metropolitan area.
Linfox was also able to highlight its Climate Active carbon neutral building certification for its Willawong, Queensland cross-functional logistics facility and state head office.
Ben Hutt, CEO of Janus Electric, highlighted its approach to refurbishing diesel prime movers into electrified trucks.
Its approach operator to discard a proven truck and invest in an expensive new electric vehicle, Janus converts the existing truck to electric power, effectively extending its useful life while eliminating its diesel emissions.
Hutt said that for the same cost of rebuilding the engine, we can turn that truck into an electric truck.
The exhibition’s first day culminated with the presentation of a much-anticipated awards. Two awards – the Fleet Excellence Award and the Sustainable Warehouse Award, both sponsored by Jialift – were presented on the main stage.
Norman Carriers was announced as the winner of the Fleet Excellence Award, while Coca-Cola Europacific Partners received the Sustainable Warehouse Award.
The 2026 MegaTrans concludes at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre today, 17 September.
