Ship operators fed up with congestion at Sydney container terminal

Russell said that the new IT system appears not to have been trialled in terms of parallel testing, which raises the question of why a new computer system would be introduced during the peak season for containers being imported through Sydney.

"This is the final straw in a long period of serious delays being experienced by our members at DP World container terminal at Port Botany," said Russell.

"Members of various agreements registered under Part X of the Trade Practices Act to discuss these matters collectively but on an individual agreement basis were promised action back in June this year by DP World to ease congestion in Sydney with the commissioning of new cranes that can more efficiently lift containers on and off vessels and following labour discussions. Subsequently Shipping Australia was assured that by the end of August many of the problems being experienced would be resolved, but regrettably the congestion has continued."

He added that ship operators are incurring massive fuel bills because of the need to speed up vessels in the hope of returning to some resemblance of their original sailing schedule and to avoid a snowballing effect of delays around the Australian coast and overseas ports, as well as additional costs such as those arising from missing canal bookings.

"Constantly, parties to individual agreements are assembling a full record of the extent and cost impact of the delays suffered at this terminal in Sydney and are considering measures to be applied to compensate for the damages being incurred," said Russell.  "One measure is the application of a congestion surcharge which, in my view, will undermine the reputation of Sydney ports internationally."