This isn’t market churn. It’s systemic failure.

Freight Company Closures Are Surging

Over the past two years, insolvencies across transport and freight have jumped more than 150%. ASIC data shows that the transport, postal, and warehousing sector saw 495 insolvencies in 2023–24, up from 196 in 2021–22.

Victoria has been hit hard.

  • Don Watson Transport, a refrigerated freight mainstay, ceased operations in June 2025 after 77 years.

  • Austrans Container Service, a container logistics operator, collapsed in 2024 owing $116 million.

  • Scott’s Refrigerated Logistics, once Australia’s largest cold chain carrier, entered liquidation in 2023.

These aren’t isolated failures. They form a pattern.

Why Freight Companies Are Failing in Victoria

1. Rising Operating Costs

Fuel, wages, insurance, and compliance costs are all climbing. With labour shortages and tighter underwriting, many operators can no longer quote profitably.

2. Fleet Value Decline

Used truck values are falling fast. Equipment that once held strong resale value is now depreciating faster than loan terms allow, trapping operators in negative equity.

3. Regulatory Complexity

Victoria’s freight companies are buried in compliance, from Chain of Responsibility laws to permit zones, fatigue rules, and curfews. Smaller operators are falling behind on the admin.

4. Softer Demand

Freight volumes are down. Imports have slowed, businesses are carrying less stock, and last-mile providers are absorbing more volume, cutting into linehaul runs.

How to Choose a Freight Company in Melbourne in 2025

The market is thinning, but not evenly.

Operators who adapt, run leaner fleets, and understand Victoria’s regulatory terrain are holding firm. The advantage now lies with those who plan, not just drive.

A Freight Company like INH Transport is staying ahead by planning around trailer constraints, permit rules, and client-side pressure.

“We’ve had to rethink how we allocate every job,” said William Nguyen, Senior Allocator at INH Transport.
“In today’s climate, a missed booking window or wrong trailer type isn’t just a delay; it could cost the entire job. You don’t get second chances with chain stores.”

The difference isn’t who owns more trucks; it’s who prevents the most failure.

If You're Shipping Freight in or out of Melbourne, Ask This:

  • Do they plan for curfew windows and trailer restrictions?

  • What’s their compliance track record?

  • Can they reroute or recover when a corridor shuts down?

Don’t just compare quotes. Ask better questions.

Final Word

Expect more collapses in the coming year. But not every company will fall. Those who survive will do so through foresight, compliance, and grounded relationships.

For businesses looking for a freight company Melbourne can still rely on, the real markers are no longer size or speed. They have the ability to adapt and stay ahead of collapse.

These changes may reshape the transport sector in Victoria, but they also redefine what businesses should look for in a freight company Melbourne can count on.