New 10,000m² warehouse at Melbourne Airport features vastly increases operational capacity in the region
Seafrigo Australia trading as Mode Logistics across Australia has opened a new state-of-the-art facility at Melbourne Airport, marking a significant milestone in the company’s strategic growth and commitment to serving the global food logistics sector.
The new warehouse specialises in food logistics and spans 10,000m2, quadrupling the space of the previous facility and vastly increasing operational capacity. According to Seafrigo Australia, the expansion allows the cold chain expert to handle preload units more efficiently, ensuring smoother processing and extended loading windows for both day and night operations.
“We’re no longer a step behind the competition – we’re a step ahead,” said Jason Farrugia, CEO of Mode Logistics. “The additional space gives us the ability to preload units overnight and again in the morning, helping us meet critical cut-off times and enhance our service reliability.”
The facility has been specifically designed to meet the growing demands of Seafrigo’s airfreight business. It features a full range of temperature-controlled zones, including frozen storage (-16°C to -20°C), chilled storage (0°C to 4°C), and ambient temperature areas. These capabilities are essential for handling the wide array of sensitive exports Seafrigo specialises in, including a range of horticultural goods.
“Until now, we had to turn down business because we simply didn’t have the space to accommodate more,” Farrugia said. “With this new facility, we’re not only meeting current demand but setting the stage for expansion into new markets.”
The facility is also equipped with biosecurity-compliant infrastructure, including fumigation chambers and a fully enclosed shutter system on the docks. It is located within a major 400ha logistics development at Melbourne Airport, offering direct access to Victoria’s road network, providing connection to the eastern seaboard and beyond.
Seafrigo said it is positioned to scale both its inbound and outbound services and plans to introduce enhanced quality inspection capabilities and upgraded warehouse management systems later this year.
“Our investment in this new site underscores our commitment to operational excellence, customer satisfaction, and importantly, global reach. It will open up more opportunities in other international locations, especially those in the Middle East and Asia which we serve from here,” concluded Eric Barbé, president and founder of Seafrigo.
