Key observations from the September 2021 report included:
· Load discharge ratio: Total import volumes were up about 10 per cent year-on-year, while total export volumes were up 12 per cent year-on-year. The load-discharge ratio for September 2021 was 0.98. Data provided by Transport for NSW indicates that the load-discharge ratio for October 2021 will be slightly more than 1.
· Container storage dwell time:?Shipping line container dwell times have remained consistent at around 11.9 days for the month of September 2021. The data for the dwell times at empty container parks (ECPs) have not been provided. The dwell times at ECPs for July 2021 was about 15.7 days.
· Empty container storage and utilisation of operational capacity:?Complete datasets have not been provided for August or September 2021.
· Empty container storage - capacity offered, truck take up/arrival patterns: Aggregated data suggests that there is significant capacity available at ECPs across Sydney, in particular after-hours (before 5am and after 5pm) where utilisation is about 23 per cent, and on weekends where slot utilisation is about 5 per cent for September 2021.
· Direct return storage - capacity offered, truck take up/arrival patterns:?Figures indicate there is significant capacity available for direct returns of empty containers to stevedore terminals and Cargolink (about 40 per cent utilisation), particularly after-hours (before 5am and after 5pm where utilisation is about 12 per cent).
· Provision of pre-advice information (electronic delivery order) in ECP booking systems:?Complete datasets have not been provided for September 2021. For August 2021, the overall provision of EDO remained consistent at 70 per cent.
· Empty container redirection notifications: On average, there are 132 redirections notifications (new and existing) per day at Port Botany. During September 2021, there were 69 new redirections notifications issued in ContainerChain, representing a 44 per cent decrease from the previous month.
De-identified information on utilisation of operational capacity at selected ECPs in Sydney is now being published in the TfNSW Open Data Hub, along with the load discharge ratio. Data can be downloaded from TfNSW Open Data Hub and Developer Portal
Reported Empty Container Park - capacity reduced
It has been noted that a new business model is being adopted at the Glen Lee Empty Container Park (ECP). Transport for NSW has been advised that the site will now be used as an intermodal terminal for the near future. Glen Lee data (as an ECP) has been removed from the current ECP reporting.
Direct Return Empty (DRE) and DP World
DP World, shipping lines, Container Transport Alliance Australia (CTAA) and Transport for NSW met last month to discuss opportunities to improve the Direct Return Empty (DRE) process. It was noted that there are limitations on the number of DREs that DP World can offer, and the meeting provided open discussion to gain greater understanding of the drivers impacting shipping lines that use DRE versus Empty Container Parks
Empty Container Parks (ECP) Road Operator Survey results review
The Road Operator Survey was presented at the August ECWG meeting when it was agreed that a focus group would meet to review the findings. A meeting between Transport for NSW, CTAA, Road Freight NSW, carriers, and managers of Empty Container Parks will take place before the end of the year to discuss the survey results. Outcomes of the meeting will be discussed at the February ECWG meeting and actions subsequently reported
Date of next meeting: Wednesday 2 February 2022
Regards
Scott Greenow
Director Operations
Freight
Customer Strategy and Technology
Transport for NSW