SAL welcomes longer hours trial at CC Containers in Melbourne

Llew Russell, CEO of Shipping Australia Ltd (SA), commented: "Similarly to the Victorian Transport Association (VTA), SAL also commends Maersk Line for extending the operating hours of its empty container park, MRS from the same date for Maersk empty containers. It is clearly easier for shipowner-owned empty container parks to extend their operating hours than for non-owned parks, but it does emphasise the importance of empty container parks being serious about extending their operating hours even for a trial period."

He added that SAL has been active in surveying all its members to determine whether they would be agreeable to a six-month trial, but unfortunately the majority view is that, in a number of cases, the empty container parks are being unrealistic regarding the levies that would be required to open for extended hours. Furthermore, there has been a lack of transparency in relation to how the additional costs are being calculated and what potential revenue would arise from the extended levy.

Russell noted that, in a press release dated January 6th, Neil Chambers of the VTA observed that other shipping lines that use CC Containers were clearly disinterested in being part of the extended hours trial. Russell said that this is a misrepresentation, because those lines would have to pay additional costs, which need to be reasonable and need to be transparent.

"Mr Chambers challenges SAL members to stop listening to the protectionist ramblings of the peak association, Shipping Australia Limited and start listening to customers‘ needs for improved empty park operating hours and practices. SAL is referring Mr Chambers to the Australian Competition & Protection Commission for anti-competitive statements in relation to previous statements regarding this issue, but SAL finds this recent statement provocative, deliberately misleading and displays a lack of understanding of how the Australian Trade Practices Act operates. We will be urging the ACCC to meet with Mr Chambers to explain the ramifications," said Russell.

Russell pointed out that SAL has been very active in trying to bring about long-term change as far as the empty container parks are concerned by completing the survey and urging member lines to seek to negotiate an arrangement acceptable to both parties in terms of extended ECP operating hours.

He added that, rather than issue press releases, the VTA should engage in serious action to bring about changes that will benefit the long-term future of empty container parks in Melbourne, and challenged the VTA to declare:

• Whether or not the VTA supports a vehicle booking system by empty container parks that would provide efficiencies immediately, and certainly by April 1st this year when the Maximas Container Chain initiative comes into operation in most of the empty container parks.

• Whether or not VTA members would be willing to pay a reasonable fee for such a system.