What ACFS Port Logistics does

ACFS Port Logistics (legal name: Australian Container Freight Services Pty Ltd) is Australia's largest privately owned container logistics operator, providing end-to-end port-to-final-mile container logistics services across Australia and New Zealand. Founded in December 2005 by Terry and Arthur Tzaneros and headquartered at Port Botany, New South Wales, the company was fully privatized in 2016 when the Tzaneros family reacquired 100% ownership following the Asciano/Patrick transaction. ACFS serves blue-chip importers and exporters, e-commerce retailers, and global shipping lines, operating 25+ sites covering more than one million square meters, handling 850,000+ TEU of fully laden import and export containers annually through 1,500+ staff and an owned fleet of 300+ trucks and 1,200+ trailers. Named customers include Bunnings, Coles, Nestle, Kmart Australia, Big W, Super Retail Group, and Electrolux; shipping line partnerships include Maersk.

The company operates five interconnected service lines: road transport (container, tautliner, and bulk), intermodal rail terminals, empty container depots, 3PL/warehousing/e-commerce fulfilment, and bio-security and customs services. Strategic on-port positioning — facilities located less than 1km from container terminals across Australia's five major ports (Port Botany, Port of Melbourne, Port of Brisbane, Port Adelaide, Fremantle) — combined with 250,000+ TEU moved on rail through intermodal terminals in NSW and VIC forms the operational backbone. The technology layer is anchored by ACFS Connect, a Salesforce- and MuleSoft-based customer-facing visibility platform providing real-time tracking, rule-based alerts, and system-to-system integration, supplemented by Paperless WMS for warehouse management, Containerchain for supply chain automation, and MT Data for fleet compliance. Sub-brands ACFS e-Solutions (3PL/fulfilment), ACFS e-Depot (empty container parks), ACFS e-Rail, and ACFS e-Link structure the offering, alongside the Tyne ACFS joint venture for NZ empty container operations.

ACFS generates revenue primarily through transaction-based container transport fees, managed services for warehousing and 3PL fulfilment, transaction fees for empty container depot storage and repositioning, and professional services for bio-security and customs work. Pricing is quote-based and tiered by container volume (1–500, 501–1000, 1000+ TEU) and pallet volume (1–350, 350–850, 850+), with sales inquiries routed through a website contact form and assigned to dedicated account coordinators for key enterprise customers. The go-to-market motion is direct enterprise field sales targeting blue-chip Australian and international importers/exporters; contracts are multi-year and pricing is not publicly disclosed. ACFS is 100% family-owned by the Tzaneros family, with no external institutional investors identified in the source materials.

Name

ACFS Port Logistics

Legal name

Australian Container Freight Services Pty Ltd

Website

https://acfs.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

ACFS Port Logistics is Australia's largest privately owned container logistics operator, providing end-to-end port-to-door services across transport, intermodal rail, empty container depots, 3PL warehousing, and bio-security/customs for blue-chip importers, exporters, and global shipping lines across Australia and New Zealand.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Container Logistics Services

NAICS

Marine Cargo Handling (488320), Port and Harbor Operations (488310), Freight Transportation Arrangement (488510), Warehousing and Storage (493), Port and Harbor Operations (48831)

SIC

Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731), Trucking & Courier Services (No Air) (4210), Public Warehousing & Storage (4220), Trucking (No Local) (4213)

akta.pro primary industry

Terminal Cargo Handling & Yard Operations (Receiving, Staging, Delivery) (TLAHALAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Container Yards & Inland Depot Storage (Empty Container Depots/ICDs) (TLALAAAI), Warehousing, CFS & Bonded Storage for General Cargo (Within Terminal) (TLAHADAI), Inland Container Depots (ICD) / Inland Ports (TLALAJAB), FCL (Full Container Load) Ocean Forwarding (TLACABAA)

Keywords

• Container logistics services
• Intermodal rail terminals
• Empty container depots
• Third-party logistics
• Warehousing and fulfillment

Headquarters

HQ city

Port Botany

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Container Transport Services: Charges for road transport of containers using owned fleet of 300+ trucks and 1,200+ trailers. High Productivity Vehicles (HPV) cart 4 TEU per trip, providing cost-efficient container movement.
2. 3PL Warehousing and Fulfilment: Warehouse storage, pick and pack, e-commerce fulfilment, and cross-docking services. Over 300,000sqm of warehousing footprint across Australia and NZ.
3. Empty Container Depot Services: Storage, maintenance, repair, washing, and repositioning of empty shipping containers. Preferred partner for all global shipping lines with 500,000sqm of container storage.
4. Intermodal Rail Terminal Operations: Rail terminal operations connecting ports to metro and regional business hubs. 250,000+ TEU moved on rail with integrated empty container management.
5. Bio-Security and Customs Services: Quarantine-approved premises offering heat treatment, fumigation, secure unpack, and 77G Customs bonded storage for border security compliance.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

ACFS Port Logistics provides end-to-end container logistics services from port to final mile across Australia and New Zealand. Core offerings span container road transport, intermodal rail terminal operations, empty container depot services, third-party warehousing and e-commerce fulfilment, and bio-security and customs bonded services. The company supports these services through the ACFS Connect customer visibility platform, automated gate-to-gate systems, and integrated warehouse and fleet management technology.

Product overview

ACFS Port Logistics operates as a comprehensive container logistics platform offering end-to-end services from port to final mile across Australia and New Zealand. The core offering spans five interconnected service areas: Transport (Container, Tautliner, Bulk with 300+ trucks and 1,200+ trailers), Intermodal Rail Terminals (with 250,000+ TEU on rail), Empty Container Depots (500,000m2 across major capitals), Warehousing including 3PL, FAK, and eCommerce (300,000+m2), and Bio-Security and Customs services. The technology layer is anchored by ACFS Connect (visibility platform), supported by ACFS e-Solutions (warehousing/fulfilment), ACFS e-Depot (empty container parks), ACFS e-Rail (rail intermodal), and ACFS e-Link (transport). The company also operates Tyne ACFS as a joint venture brand for empty container parks in Australia and NZ. The portfolio handles over 850,000 TEU annually across 25+ sites with 1,500+ staff.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ACFS e-Solutions: 3PL, eCommerce, and WMS solutions division providing flexible and scalable logistics solutions
• ACFS e-Depot
• ACFS e-Rail
• ACFS e-Link

Products and services

• Road Transport - Container, Tautliner, Bulk Network of strategically based sites on-port (within 1km of container terminals) and off-port (within 15kms of capital city industrial zones) connected by High Productivity Vehicles (4 TEU per trip) and rail. Fleet of 300+ trucks and 1,200+ trailers provides container, tautliner, and bulk road transport services.
• Intermodal Rail Terminals Intermodal terminals in NSW (Enfield, Spring Farm, St Marys) and VIC (West Melbourne, Altona North) with 250,000sqm of container storage capacity and 250,000+ TEU moved on rail. Partners with all national and state-based rail operators for port-to-distribution and paddock-to-port logistics, connecting local container terminals to metro and regional business hubs.
• Empty Container Depots Strategically located network of on-port and off-port empty container terminals integrated by rail across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, and Auckland. Features 500,000sqm of space, sites less than 1km from port, 24/7 operation, preferred partnership with all global shipping lines, and full maintenance, repair, washing, and repositioning services.
• Warehousing - 3PL, FAK, and eCommerce Warehousing solutions with over 300,000sqm of footprint offering cross-dock and long-term storage at on-port and off-port sites. Services include 3PL, eCommerce fulfilment, Freight of Any Kind (FAK), first mile and final mile transport, B2B and B2C distribution with full pallet, carton pick, and item pick capability.
• Bio-Security and Border Security (Customs) National on-port biosecurity and customs services with Class 1.1 or 1.3 Quarantine Approved Premises, 77G Customs Licence, and certifications for heat treatment (Class 4.1), fumigation (Class 4.6), secure unpack (Class 4.7), and Rural Tailgate (14.4). Operates 24/5 with on-site biosecurity officers in QLD and VIC.

Quantifiable outcome

• 850k+ TEU of fully laden import and export containers handled annually
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Coda GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2025ACFS acquired Coda Group's Auckland 3PL Transport, Auckland Freight Station (FAK), and Christchurch (Rolleston) DC operations as of August 1, 2025. This acquisition enables ACFS to replicate its comprehensive Australian end-to-end landside offering across New Zealand, including FCL Transport, FCL Depots, Warehousing FAK, 3PL Warehousing, and an Empty Depot in Auckland under JV brand Tyne ACFS.
• Pacific NationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor national rail operator partnership. ACFS jointly partners with Pacific National as part of their combined offering to provide customers and shipping lines a seamless end-to-end service.
• LINX (Brookfield)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with LINX (Brookfield) for integrated cargo movement. ACFS operates empty depot on LINX facility at Enfield, providing combined services for seamless end-to-end logistics.
• SCTminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership with SCT for combined logistics service offerings.
• TynecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJoint venture empty container park operation under Tyne ACFS brand in Auckland, New Zealand. Partnership enables integrated supply chain services across Australia and New Zealand.
• WinDCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerACFS served as key logistics partner for WinDC's portable AI factory launch at Sydney Harbour on March 18, 2026. ACFS team managed delivery and positioning of the shipping container-sized portable AI data centre. WinDC converts stranded renewable energy to sovereign AI compute.
• SalesforcecoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner for ACFS Connect platform, providing CRM infrastructure for customer service visibility and tracking capabilities.
• MuleSoftcoreTechnology or IntegrationIntegration platform partner enabling system-to-system automation and connectivity between ACFS systems and customer on-boarding processes.
• ContainerchaincoreTechnology or IntegrationSupply chain technology partner enabling automation of administrative tasks and improved service delivery for customers through Containerchain network.
• PaperlesscoreTechnology or IntegrationWMS (Warehouse Management System) partner. Paperless provides the WMS platform operated by ACFS e-Solutions, enabling intuitive inventory control, scan picking and packing, and system integration capabilities.
• MT DatacoreTechnology or IntegrationFleet compliance technology provider managing vehicle compliance including black boxes and tablets fitted to every vehicle, ensuring drivers, trucks, and trailers operate in synchronisation.
• MaerskcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrong ongoing partnership with Maersk for container operations. ACFS hosts Maersk team tours of Port Botany operations and handles full lifecycle of Maersk's blue containers from Gate In, Survey, Repair, Wash through to Gate Out. Partnership includes automated gate-to-gate system for real-time tracking.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves14 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Qube Holdings: ASX-listed Australian multi-modal logistics operator handling containers, bulk commodities, and automotive across ports and rail terminals. Most directly comparable in ANZ to ACFS in combining on-port positioning, container parks, intermodal rail, and warehousing at scale.
• Toll Group: Major Asia-Pacific contract logistics, forwarding, and container transport provider (owned by Japan Post). Comparable in offering end-to-end container logistics, warehousing/3PL, and customs services to large enterprise shippers across Australia and New Zealand.
• Linfox: Australia's largest privately owned logistics company, providing warehousing, 3PL, distribution, and supply-chain services to major retailers and manufacturers — including many of the same blue-chip customers ACFS serves (Coles, Kmart, Big W).
• Mainfreight: NZ-founded global logistics company with significant ANZ operations spanning freight forwarding, warehousing, and transport. Comparable in offering trans-Tasman and ANZ-wide container logistics to importers and retailers.
• SCT Logistics: Australian intermodal and bulk logistics operator with rail terminals, container parks, and road transport. Existing strategic partner to ACFS with overlapping service lines in intermodal and regional logistics.

Broad incumbents

• DP World Australia: Subsidiary of global port operator DP World, operating container terminals in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Fremantle. Larger incumbent that competes for on-port landside volumes and handles its own container logistics adjacent to ACFS's footprint.
• Patrick Terminals: Australia's largest container terminal operator (now part of Qube Holdings), with on-port stevedoring at Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, and Fremantle. Former 50/50 JV partner of ACFS in 2015-2016, now a peer for on-port landside logistics.
• Pacific National: Australia's largest rail freight operator (owned by Brookfield). Strategic partner with ACFS for intermodal rail terminals and an important comparator for rail-linked port-to-inland container logistics, with overlapping terminal footprint in NSW and VIC.
• Aurizon Holdings: ASX-listed rail-based logistics operator focused on bulk commodities but with growing intermodal freight exposure. Comparable as a large-scale ANZ freight operator with significant terminal infrastructure and rail haulage capabilities.

Regional players

• Centric (formerly Toll NZ): New Zealand-focused transport and logistics provider (now part of TIL Logistics Group). Comparable as an NZ-based container logistics, freight, and warehousing competitor now overlapping with ACFS's expanded NZ footprint following the Coda acquisition.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat7 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/acfsportlogisitcs
• Facebookfacebook.com/ACFSPortLogistics

Compliance9 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ACFS Port Logistics