Hutchison Port Botany sent a notice to transport operators last night (Friday 7 August 2020) stating that their "Infrastructure Levy" will increase on from $63.11 to $88.83 per container (excl GST) effective 8 September 2020.
No consultation took place with cargo owners or transport operators in announcing this change. This is line with practices by all stevedores and their commercial customer shipping lines.
Clearly negotiation is not required when third party transport operators (road and rail) are at ransom to pay or be denied access to terminals.
A full list of current Infrastructure Surcharges administered by all stevedores nationally is available HERE (FTA / APSA MEMBER LOGIN REQUIRED)
We note in correspondence from 15 June that the Hon Andrew Constance MP (Minister for Transport and Roads) recognises our fundamental concerns with longer term impacts of stevedores applying infrastructure and access charges "I will be informed by the advice of the NSW Productivity Commissioner regarding these changes as to any longer term Government response".
As members will recall, FTA / APSA has engaged with the NSW Productivity Commissioner since November 2019 following a contingent of FTA / APSA meeting with Minister Constance earlier last year.
We look forward to engagement with the NSW Productivity Commissioner emphasising that it will be the efficient movement of goods that will lead our economic recovery and generate national wealth, not the welfare and self-interests of infrastructure owners. |
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