The Loadstar - More anger in Australia as DP World announces higher terminal access fees

Paul Zalai, director of the Freight & Trade Alliance, said the timing of DPW's increase to access fees for imports "couldn't be worse", and argued the charges should instead be recovered from shipping lines.

"Import businesses will be bleeding over lockdown restrictions to Covid-19 during the next six months. Some will not survive the financial hardship," he added.

He said the FTA was lobbying the government for deferral of duty, GST and import processing charges until the crisis is resolved.

"Relief for the import sector is essential, otherwise we face a significant backlog of containers held under customs control, since taxes must be paid prior to release," added Mr Zalai.