New trade route linking WA to Asia is set to make it cheaper to live and work in the state's powerhouse region TueTuesday 23 FebFebruary 2021 at 10:35pm Rio Tinto's Richard Cohen says direct freight is an important new service connecting the Pilbara to the world. ( Share Print text only Cancel A new trade route directly linking Western Australia to Singapore is set to make it cheaper to live and work in the state's powerhouse region. Key points: Three direct freight links have been established between the Pilbara and Asia Karratha Mayor Peter Long said shipping costs could be halved by freight being sent direct to the Pilbara