Container Performance Questioned by ACCC
CTAA subscribers met with the
Australian Competition and
Consumer Commission (ACCC) in
May to discuss the business
impacts of Stevedore practices.
Discussion surrounded the ever
increasing costs being borne by
Container Transport Operators
(CTOs) due to the need to stage
import, export and empty
containers through their
yards. This included the
infrastructure costs for hard
stands, extra lifting equipment,
labour, as well additional trucks
and trailing equipment.
ACCC heard how the current
Vehicle Booking System (VBS) put a hand-brake on growth and improved productivity for many
businesses. It’s high time to change the 1-Stop VBS fundamentally to better match the supply
container slots with the level of demand for import and export slots and truck access that CTOs have
per ship.
The 'cannot assist' approach taken by one of the stevedores was also highlighted as a significant
cost impact on transporters, and further along the chain.
The ACCC also showed interest in the potential impact of the new Western Distributor project
proposed by Transurban to connect the Western Freeway through to the Port of Melbourne and the
Tullamarine Freeway.
They sought views on what the potential future impact may be due to closing off truck access to local
roads in the Inner West of Melbourne, and the funneling of trucks onto toll roads.
The current inequality of the current Carrier Access Agreements (CAA) was discussed at length.
CTAA has produced a paper on the inequality of the current CAA system and the need to move to
the next generation Vehicle Booking Systems. Click here for more...