| Container Stevedores' Opening Hours: Melbourne -
CTAA Update Victoria International Container Terminal - Extended Hours:
As reported in the last CTAA eNews on 18 December 2019, CTAA alliance companies held constructive discussions with operations management at Victoria International Container Terminal (VICT) before Christmas on landside interface issues. One of the key issues discussed was the need for an extension of gate operating hours as container volumes grow through the Terminal.
CTAA is very pleased that VICT has listened to transport operators, and has announced an extension of landside operating hours, as follows:
| | VICT - Industry Notice Dear VICT Customers,
With an increase in container volume at VICT and following a trial period after consultation with Transport Companies, VICT are pleased to be able to confirm an extension of Landside operating hours. The allocation of new resources means that VICT is able to structurally implement this extension, therefore further improving Landside operations for our customers.
Starting at 06:00hrs on Sunday 2nd February 2020, VICT will effectively remain open 7 days a week, closing only between 14:00hrs Saturday and 06:00hrs Sunday.
We will continue to monitor slot utilisation over these extended opening hours and encourage all transport carriers visiting VICT to make good use of off-peak slots in order to keep operations moving with maximum efficiency.
To sign-up to VICT's Landside updates, please visit our home page at https://www.vict.com.au/ | | | | CTAA encourages all transport operators to embrace the additional night shift operations at VICT.
We will also continue to work with VICT to address vehicle booking slot availability to maximise landside truck utilisation rates, while also trying to keep truck turnaround times at consistent levels.
Patrick East Swanson Terminal - Reduced Hours:
Earlier this month, CTAA alliance companies expressed their extreme disappointment at the announcement by Patrick Terminals that it was reducing its night shift operations at its East Swanson Terminal in Melbourne.
Patrick had indicated that due to the competitive stevedoring environment and a loss of business, the container volume through Patrick ESD is no longer sufficient to support six midnight shifts per week.
CTAA alliance companies requested a meeting with Patrick ESD Terminal management on 6 January, and led discussions to mitigate the negative impacts stemming from the reduction of available shifts in the Terminal.
At the meeting the Terminal's management agreed to: - Maintain a night shift from 22.00 Thursday to 0600 Friday (i.e. 1st shift Friday – previously earmarked to be removed). This allows for continuous night shift operations from Monday through to Thursday.
- Increase vehicle booking slot availability on day shifts to compensate for the reduction in night shift operations. This will be monitored in close cooperation with landside operators, and reassessed based on container volumes being handled;
- Adjust vessel export receival cut-offs where they may be impacted by the reduction in night shift operations, and generally based on vessel loading and departure forecasts;
- Assess import free day availability, but Patrick doesn't believe that the shift reductions will have any significant impact on this.
- Work closely with transport operators managing train services into the Port of Melbourne to ensure adequate R&D capacity to meet schedules; and
- Work closely with country carriers on slot allocations to assist them to address the additional constraints they face in the logistics chain (i.e. rural tailgate times / longer travel distances / achieving optimal truck turn frequencies / managing driver fatigue obligations, etc.).
CTAA also welcomed the commitment of Patrick to monitor the situation and reconvene for a further review in February.
In conjunction with Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA), CTAA issued a Joint Media Statement as a result of the developments at Patrick East Swanson Terminal - download a copy below. |