There have been moves toward improvement in the petroleum fuel transport sector.

Toll has unveiled what it claims to are some of the most advanced fuel tankers in the country, while industry rival Cootes accepts a $50,000 fine for having operated an unsafe fleet.

The new Toll fleet has been unveiled in Adelaide, comprising a set of high-tech BA triple tankers which the company says employ “world’s best practice in safety systems and intelligence including in-vehicle monitoring systems and seeing-eye technology, outward-facing cameras, real-time satellite tracking, electronic braking systems and anti-roll technology”.

New tankers will transport crude oil from the, Northern Territory down to ports in South Australia for oil and gas producer Santos.

The trucks have been decked-out in unique Indigenous Australian branding, which the company says references its links to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their communities.

“For many years Toll has been engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities throughout Australia in relation to training and employment opportunities, procurement of business and providing in-kind support,” Toll Energy general manager Glenn Benson said.

“We look forward to the continued support of our employees, local communities and customers such as Santos on our journey of Indigenous Australian engagement.”

Meanwhile, Cootes Transport has been hit with a $50,000 fine for operating unsafe vehicles – an amount the Transport Workers Union says it not near enough.

The TWU has welcomed the latest fine of $50,000 handed to the Australian trucking company, but says more must be done to hold the top of the transport supply chain to account.

The union says bosses place lethal pressure on drivers, which leads to poor maintenance and has created Australia’s most dangerous industry.

TWU national secretary Tony Sheldon says hauling for the energy industry is particularly bad.

“The TWU has submitted a draft order to the [Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal] addressing the key issues facing operators and drivers in the oil, fuel and gas transport sector,” said Mr Sheldon.

“When transport companies aren’t paid enough to operate safely, maintenance is skipped and drivers are sweated.

“This puts truck drivers and all Australia roads users at risk, costing 330 lives lost on our roads each year.

“Recent polling shows 73% of Australians believe companies such as Coles/Shell that put economic pressure on truck drivers to drive longer and faster should be held accountable for the impact this has on road safety.

“But this Government has labelled the RSRT as ‘red-tape’ ready for the chop... road safety is not ‘red-tape’”.