A peak shipping industry association in Australia has announced its support for new regulations which aim to secure efficiency, consistency and transparency of the Port Botany's landside interface by reducing congestion and leading to 24/7 supply chain operations.
Shipping Australia (SAL) said the introduction of new regulations, which are part of the Port Botany Landslide Improvement Strategy, would result in a more efficient and transparent landside operation servicing Port Botany and the wider New South Wales (NSW) economy.
"Our member shipping lines are encouraged by the reforms. Future improvements in landside logistics have a direct impact on managing the costs of the shipping business," SAL Chief Executive Officer Llew Russell said."We believe the regulations will result in a more efficient sea-land interface between the users of Port Botany.
"We also welcome the new performance benchmarks between stevedores and transport carriers as part of the reform package and look forward to discussing the details with Sydney Ports Corporation in the future.
"All parties using Port Botany must work in co-operation if we are to lift the efficiency of the landside logistics and meet the forecast growth in container trade through Port Botany.
"While I appreciate that some stakeholders weren't in favour of regulations, we must realise that these measures provide us with a clear set of benchmarks that must be met if we are to gain greater efficiency across the entire supply chain.
"The regulations will improve efficiency and in turn, all aimed at a long-term reduction in landside demurrage."
He said SAL has raised concerns regarding the appropriateness of the A$10 (US$9.01) increase on wharfage rates, to ensure that the reforms achieve improvements in performance of landside operations.
SAL will work with Sydney Ports in reviewing the ongoing appropriateness and necessity for the increased wharfage charges once applied, especially if peak period pricing is introduced which should replace this increase in wharfage.
