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" The amateurs discuss tactics: the professionals discuss logistics "
Napoleon Bonaparte

Road Transport and Trucking

Depth Logistics provides secure road transport and trucking, general freight, container cartage, interstate trucking and secure hotshot freight anywhere in Australia. We run it from our Depth Defence Logistics Centres (2DLCs) in Brisbane and Darwin and our Townsville depot. We move everything from ITAR-controlled aircraft components in secure vans to general freight such as palletised, boxed and loose cargo, shipping containers, road trains, explosives and dangerous goods. Our security-cleared drivers and GPS-tracked trucks keep your freight safe, compliant and confidential, and our own escort vehicles mean we never need to hand your load to an outside escort company.

Need to move oversize, out-of-gauge or heavy cargo? We handle oversize loads up to 100 tonnes and arrange the NHVR and state road-authority permits and route planning for you. See our Heavy Haulage and Oversize Transport page.

Call Now: 07 3054 4670 (HQ – 24 hours)
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Secure hotshot freight and high-security express delivery, Australia-wide

When a load is urgent, sensitive or valuable, we run it as a secure hotshot: one dedicated vehicle, loaded for your job only and driven direct from pick-up to delivery, with no depot transfers and no consolidation with other freight. Secure hotshot freight is our specialty. We carry Defence materiel, ITAR-controlled items, firearms and ammunition, explosives and dangerous goods, and other high-value and sensitive cargo, on time, on budget, safely and securely.

Australia-wide hotshot freight from Coolangatta, Brisbane, Townsville and Darwin

Our hotshot, express and secure hotshot service is national: Australia-wide hotshot freight and national express courier work, from our bases at Coolangatta (HQ), our Depth Defence Logistics Centres (2DLCs) in Brisbane and Darwin, and our Townsville depot. With bases along the Brisbane–Townsville–Darwin corridor, we can start a secure hotshot locally or run an interstate hotshot anywhere in Australia.

Three levels of urgent service – 24/7, 365 days

  • Secure Hotshot: high-security express delivery for Defence, classified and security-sensitive items, firearms, ITAR-controlled, dangerous goods, high-value and sensitive cargo. Security-cleared drivers, a GPS-tracked secure vehicle, chain-of-custody delivery, tamper-evident packaging and processes, two-up drivers on long runs so the cargo is never left alone, a secure live GPS tracking link so you can watch the vehicle in real time, and our own security escort car where needed to keep line of sight on the vehicle carrying your cargo.
  • Hotshot: a dedicated, direct run for time-critical parts, equipment and freight, locally or as an interstate hotshot anywhere in Australia.
  • Express: our national express courier service – same-day delivery of documents, parts and small freight in light vehicles, booked any time.

All three run 24/7, 365 days, with a same-day response.

Full details: see Hotshot, Express and Secure Hotshot Freight.

Why Depth for Defence hotshot and high-value courier work

  • Defence Industry Security Program (DISP) member and ITAR compliant
  • Member of the Transport Asset Protection Association (TAPA)
  • Approved Intermediate Consignee (Department of Defence) and Accredited Air Cargo Agent (Department of Home Affairs)
  • Dangerous goods transport qualifications and an explosive transport licence, for DG hotshot runs
  • Every truck and secure van is GPS tracked, and we can share a secure link from our GPS platform so you can monitor the vehicle in real time
  • All drivers hold MSIC cards; most hold Department of Defence personal security clearances, DCAC cards and Aviation Security Identification Cards (ASIC)
  • Our own security escort vehicles in Brisbane, Darwin and Townsville
  • 2DLCs that comply with Class C Facility Security Standards, with TAPA and SCEC approved safes for items needing extra security

What we run as hotshot and express freight

For a secure hotshot or express quote, call our 24-hour line on 07 3054 4670.

What we transport by road

Our road freight fleet can deliver any load anywhere in Australia, including:

  • General freight, including palletised, boxed and loose cargo
  • Small ITAR-controlled and classified cargo carried in our secure vans
  • Container cartage and wharf cartage, using skel, side loader, drop deck and extendable trailers
  • Road trains
  • Explosives and dangerous goods
  • Air freight, parcel freight, vehicle transport using utes, rigid light trucks, secure vans, car transport trailers and secure luggage trailers
  • Forklift hire (2.5t and 16t machines) and, in Darwin, hire of a Kalmar RT240 rough terrain reach stacker

Container cartage, trucking and general freight in Brisbane

Our Brisbane 2DLC is at 8 Culya St, Pinkenba QLD 4008. It is the base for local transport across Brisbane and for our regular routes through South East Queensland and beyond, to Toowoomba, Dalby, Gladstone, Mackay, Townsville and Darwin. Our Brisbane fleet includes prime movers rated up to 140t, low loaders, dollies, B-double trailers, drop deck widener trailers, container skel trailers, sideloader trailers, secure vans and our own oversize and security escort vehicles. Our drivers are inducted into the Brisbane wharves. For container cartage in Brisbane we run side loader and skel trailers from the wharf to your site, interstate trucking to Townsville and Darwin, and secure hotshot runs across the city.

Call the Brisbane office on 07 3054 4670

Trucking, container cartage and general freight in Darwin

Our Darwin 2DLC is at 31 Muramats Rd, East Arm NT 0822. It handles local transport across Darwin and regular routes in the Northern Territory and interstate, including Darwin to Katherine, Darwin to Townsville and Darwin to Brisbane. Our Darwin fleet includes prime movers rated up to 140t, a 4 x 8 low loader, drop deck widener trailers, road train dollies, container skel trailers, sideloader trailers, oversize and security escort vehicles, and a Kalmar RT240 rough terrain reach stacker for hire. Our drivers are inducted into the Darwin wharves. For trucking in Darwin we offer side loader container cartage from the wharf, interstate trucking to Townsville and Brisbane, and secure hotshot runs to Defence bases, the port and Darwin Airport.

Call the Darwin office on 08 8911 1216

Transport, trucking and container cartage in Townsville

Our Townsville depot is at 16 Mackley St, Garbutt QLD 4814. It handles local transport across Townsville and regular North Queensland routes to Cairns and Mackay, as well as long-haul runs to Brisbane and Darwin. Our Townsville fleet includes prime movers rated up to 110t, 4 x 8 and 4 x 4 low loaders, dollies, B-double trailers, drop deck widener trailers, container skel trailers, sideloader trailers and a security and wide load escort vehicle. Our drivers are inducted into the Townsville wharves. For transport in Townsville we offer side loader container cartage from the wharf, interstate trucking to Brisbane and Darwin, and secure hotshot runs to Defence bases, the port and Townsville Airport.

Call the Townsville office on 07 4401 5611

Security, compliance and accreditation

Depth Logistics is a Defence Industry Security Program (DISP) member. For extra transport security assurance:

  • We are members of the Transport Asset Protection Association (TAPA)
  • Our 2DLCs comply with Class C Facility Security Standards
  • We are ITAR compliant
  • We hold dangerous goods transport qualifications and an explosive transport licence
  • We are National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) accredited, with NHVR registration number NHVAS416379

Security-cleared, experienced drivers

Our drivers are among the best in the industry. The road freight team is made up of highly qualified, experienced civilians and Australian Defence Force (ADF) veterans.

  • All of our drivers hold MSIC cards and are inducted into the Brisbane, Darwin, Gladstone, Sydney, Port Kembla and Townsville wharves
  • Most of our drivers hold Department of Defence personal security clearances, DCAC cards and Aviation Security Identification Cards (ASIC)

Port and Defence base transport

We carry freight by road to and from any port, airport or military base in Australia. Because our drivers are already MSIC-carded and inducted at major wharves, they are already cleared for wharf access. We also have defence base access cards.

Moving military vehicles or equipment through a port? We can also arrange biosecurity washing – see Biosecurity Washing.

Air cargo transport to and from the airport

We collect and deliver air cargo by road at airline cargo terminals and freight depots at Gold Coast Airport (Coolangatta), Brisbane, Townsville, Cairns and Darwin airports, and we can link urgent freight to a flight with a hotshot run. We have offices, air cargo handling facilities and our road transport fleet at Gold Coast, Brisbane, Townsville and Darwin airports, and our Townsville team also services Cairns Airport. Depth is an Accredited Air Cargo Agent (AACA) and many of our team hold Australian airport security clearances.

  • Air cargo transport Brisbane: pick-up and delivery at Brisbane Airport, from our Brisbane 2DLC
  • Airport freight pick-up Darwin: Darwin Airport, from our Darwin 2DLC
  • Airfreight transport Townsville: Townsville Airport from our Townsville depot, also servicing Cairns Airport
  • Gold Coast Airport (Coolangatta): close to our Coolangatta HQ

For international and domestic air freight, see Airfreight.

GPS tracking and in-house escorts

GPS tracking: every truck and secure van is GPS tracked for safety, security and better operations. We can share a secure link from our GPS platform so you can monitor your delivery vehicle in real time for its whole journey – something most transport companies cannot offer.

In-house escorts: we run our own wide load (oversize) escort pilot vehicles and security escort cars. Because every service stays in-house, we can deliver discreetly and keep your cargo movements as confidential as possible.

Our fleet by location

Brisbane trucking fleet

Light vehicles and forklifts – Brisbane

  • One tonne utility trucks
  • 3t rigid frame truck
  • Secure Iveco vans
  • Car transport trailer
  • Forklift hire of 2.5t and 16t machines
  • Secure luggage trailer 7 x 5′
  • Oversize escort pilot vehicle
  • Security escort vehicle

Container transport – Brisbane

  • Container skel trailers
  • Sideloader container trailers
  • B-double with container pins on the A and B trailers
  • Drop deck trailers fitted with ramps and 3-way container pins
  • Extendable trailers with 3-way container pins

Darwin trucking fleet

Light vehicles and forklifts – Darwin

  • One tonne utility trucks
  • Forklift hire of 2.5t and 16t machines
  • Hire of a Kalmar RT240 RTCH (rough terrain reach stacker)
  • Oversize escort pilot vehicle
  • Security escort vehicle

Container transport – Darwin

  • Container skel trailers
  • Sideloader container trailer
  • Drop deck trailers fitted with ramps and 3-way container pins

Townsville trucking fleet

Light vehicles and forklifts – Townsville

  • Forklift hire of 2.5t and 16t machines
  • Security escort vehicle

Container transport – Townsville

  • Container skel trailers
  • Sideloader container trailers
  • B-double with container pins on the A and B trailers
  • Drop deck trailers fitted with ramps and 3-way container pins
  • Extendable trailers with 3-way container pins

Interstate trucking and regular road freight routes

As well as local transport in Brisbane, Darwin and Townsville, our trucks regularly run these routes:

  • From Brisbane: Townsville, Gladstone, Mackay, Darwin, Toowoomba, Dalby
  • From Darwin: Katherine, Brisbane, Townsville
  • From Townsville: Brisbane, Mackay, Cairns, Darwin

Road transport enquiries

Contact our road transport team

Call your nearest office, or reach us any hour on the 24-hour line.

24-hour line

07 3054 4670
Request a quote

Frequently asked questions

Depth Logistics provides road transport, general freight and container cartage from its Depth Defence Logistics Centre at 8 Culya St, Pinkenba QLD. The Brisbane fleet includes secure vans, utes, container skel and sideloader trailers, B-doubles and our own escort vehicles. It serves Brisbane locally and runs regular routes to Toowoomba, Dalby, Gladstone, Mackay, Townsville and Darwin. Call 07 3054 4670.

Depth Logistics runs road transport, general freight and container cartage from its Depth Defence Logistics Centre at 31 Muramats Rd, East Arm NT. The Darwin fleet includes container skel and sideloader trailers, drop deck trailers, road train dollies and escort vehicles. A Kalmar RT240 rough terrain reach stacker is also available for hire. Regular routes include Darwin to Katherine, Townsville and Brisbane. Call 08 8911 1216.

Depth Logistics runs road transport, general freight and container cartage from its Townsville depot at 16 Mackley St, Garbutt QLD. The Townsville fleet includes container skel and sideloader trailers, B-doubles, drop deck and extendable trailers. It serves Townsville locally and North Queensland routes to Cairns and Mackay, plus Brisbane and Darwin. Call 07 4401 5611.

Yes. Our drivers hold MSIC cards and are inducted into the Brisbane, Darwin and Townsville wharves, and our fleet includes container skel trailers, sideloader trailers and drop deck trailers with 3-way container pins, so we can collect containers from the wharf and deliver them anywhere in Australia.

Yes. As well as containers, we carry general freight such as palletised, boxed and loose cargo by road from Brisbane, Darwin and Townsville, anywhere in Australia.

No. Our road transport service carries dry (ambient) freight only, including general freight and containers. We don't transport refrigerated or perishable goods.

Yes. Depth Logistics is a DISP member and ITAR compliant, and it holds dangerous goods transport qualifications and an explosive transport licence. We carry items from small ITAR-controlled aircraft components in secure vans to explosives and military vehicles as large as an M1A2 Abrams tank.

All of our drivers hold MSIC cards and are inducted into the Brisbane, Darwin, Gladstone, Sydney, Port Kembla and Townsville wharves. Most also hold Department of Defence personal security clearances, DCAC cards and Aviation Security Identification Cards (ASIC). The team is made up of experienced civilians and ADF veterans.

Yes. We carry freight by road to and from any port, airport or defence base in Australia. Every truck and secure van is GPS tracked, we can share a secure live-tracking link so you can monitor the vehicle in real time, and our own escort vehicles can accompany sensitive or oversize loads.

Yes. From our Brisbane Depth Defence Logistics Centre at 8 Culya St, Pinkenba, we collect containers from the Brisbane wharves and deliver them across Brisbane, South East Queensland and interstate. Our drivers hold MSIC cards and are inducted into the Brisbane wharves, and we run container skel trailers, side loader trailers, B-doubles with container pins and drop deck trailers with 3-way container pins. Call 07 3054 4670.

Yes. We run side loader container trailers from Brisbane, Darwin and Townsville for container cartage to and from your site, alongside container skel trailers and drop deck trailers with 3-way container pins.

Yes. Our regular interstate trucking routes include Brisbane to Darwin, Darwin to Townsville and Townsville to Brisbane, plus Queensland runs to Toowoomba, Dalby, Gladstone and Mackay. We deliver anywhere in Australia.

No, we don't operate tilt trays, but our low loaders and drop deck trailers do the same job with the ramps they are fitted with. Our fleet also includes 3 x 4 B-double super tilt trailers with winches and container pins.

Yes. We run dedicated hotshot and express freight runs Australia-wide, from our bases at Coolangatta (HQ), Brisbane, Townsville and Darwin: one vehicle, loaded for your job only and driven direct from pick-up to delivery. We carry time-critical parts, documents and small freight, plus Defence and port work, locally, along the Brisbane–Townsville–Darwin corridor and as interstate hotshots anywhere in Australia. We run 24/7, 365 days, with a same-day response. Call our 24-hour line on 07 3054 4670.

Yes. Secure hotshot freight is our specialty. Depth is ITAR compliant, a TAPA member and an approved Intermediate Consignee. Secure Hotshot runs use security-cleared drivers, GPS-tracked secure vehicles, chain-of-custody delivery and tamper-evident packaging and processes, with two-up drivers on long runs so the cargo is never left alone, a secure live GPS tracking link so you can monitor the vehicle in real time, and our own security escort car where needed to keep line of sight on the vehicle carrying your cargo. Classified and security-sensitive items are moved by security-cleared drivers (MSIC, ASIC and Australian Department of Defence security clearances) with chain-of-custody delivery, in line with Defence security requirements. For firearms and ammunition, see Firearms Transportation, and for full details see Hotshot, Express and Secure Hotshot Freight.

Yes, for urgent work. Our courier services are dedicated hotshot and express runs in light vehicles, such as utes and secure vans, for time-critical parts, documents and small freight, including Defence and port work. It is a national express courier service, Australia-wide, from our bases at Coolangatta (HQ), Brisbane, Townsville and Darwin.

Yes. We hold dangerous goods transport qualifications and an explosive transport licence, so we can run DG hotshots by road, including explosives. See Dangerous Goods Transport.

Yes. We collect and deliver air cargo by road at Gold Coast (Coolangatta), Brisbane, Townsville, Cairns and Darwin airports, including airline cargo terminals and freight depots, and can run urgent freight to or from a flight as a hotshot. Depth is an Accredited Air Cargo Agent and many of our team hold Australian airport security clearances. See Airfreight.

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