Remote communities in Queensland face surging grocery and freight costs after the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator grounded Normanton-based Hawkins Transport over safety and compliance concerns.

The company runs 70 road trains delivering cattle and grocery pallets to Indigenous communities including Kowanyama and Doomadgee, but owner Bradley Hawkins said the shutdown is costing the business half a million dollars a week, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Hawkins Transport will appear in Brisbane's Supreme Court on Wednesday seeking a stay of the prohibition notice, ABC business reports. – With ABC Tim Little reports for ABC business (AU).