FedEx to establish Western Sydney cargo hub

FedEx Express (FX, Memphis Int’l) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the North South Wales (NSW) government to collaborate on the design and development of a new freight and logistics hub at the under-construction Western Sydney International Airport. “FedEx Express has agreed to play a key role in the development of a freight and logistics hub in the Western Sydney Aerotropolis. We will leverage their expertise to transform the way goods are brought from Western Sydney to the world,” Premier Gladys Berejiklian said in a statement. “The 24/7 freight and logistics hub will be a cutting-edge facility that will allow fresh produce to be transported from local paddocks to international plates in under 36 hours, and open up a global market for farmers and local businesses in Western Sydney,” she added. The freight and logistics hub would be supported by automated technologies and include digital capabilities that were having a big impact on the way goods were moving around the world. Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism, and Western Sydney, Stuart Ayres said the MoU would give Western Sydney International Airport the competitive edge regarding freight and logistics. “With the latest technology, this is an opportunity to position Western Sydney to capitalise on that advantage for our businesses,” he said. Apart from FedEx Express, the NSW government has now signed MOUs with companies across the aerospace, defence, manufacturing, agri-business, education, and logistics sectors and is on track to create 200,000 jobs in the new Western Parkland City being developed, he said. Welcoming the MOU, FedEx Express Australia vice president Peter Langley said: “In today’s business environment, having a competitive edge is critical to success and with our FedEx and TNT services, we are offering customers the ability to optimise their cross-border supply chains at high speeds and without compromise on reliability.” Construction of the AUD5.3 billion Australian dollars (USD6.4 billion) Western Sydney International Airport project itself was on track to begin operations in 2026. The airport is located 41 kilometres west of Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport and will generate economic activity, provide employment opportunities closer to home for people in the Western Sydney region, and meet the city’s growing aviation needs.