Summary of recommendations:
Recommendation 1: Strengthen service protections
That Australia strengthens minimum levels of service and minimum notification period requirements for all international shipping line services in Australia.
This should include a non-negotiable minimum notification period for the introduction of new rates and charges, or changes to existing rates and charges. This is equivalent to the protections that already exist in the U.S. for their shippers.
Recommendation 2: Terminal Handling Charges / infrastructure charges
That the Government takes urgent action to address unregulated and spiralling infrastructure charges.
While shipping lines have been the beneficiaries of increased competition in stevedoring, Australian shippers have not seen any of those benefits and now are paying twice for container terminal services. It is an unsustainable situation, it is damaging to our economy, and it will only worsen if there is no intervention.
Recommendation 3: Stronger oversight of the sea freight supply chain
State and Federal Governments need to take a more proactive role to develop standard industry practices in relation to detention and demurrage, empty container management and other sea freight supply chain activities.
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