SOURCE: https://www.thedcn.com.au/heavy-congestion-reported-around-melbourne-freight-precincts/?utm_source=DCN+Daily+Newswire&utm_campaign=8bff56b7ed-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_11_30_2020_COPY_536&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_505d67c448-8bff56b7ed-143548537
EXTRACT:
Freight and Trade Alliance director Paul Zalai said it was "only a matter of time" before congestion at the Sydney ECPs started to impact those in Melbourne.
"Whilst not at the critical levels being experienced in Sydney, volumes of full imports are increasing and empty exports decreasing due to a range of issues," he said.
Mr Zalai noted several causes:
- vessel rotations meaning they load extra empties in Sydney prior to calling in Melbourne and have less space for Melbourne empties
- while trying to get back on schedule some vessels are cutting / running from Melbourne only moving full containers.
"However industry do acknowledge that the ECPs and Port of Melbourne have been very proactive identifying a number of land parcels that could be available should the situation worsen," Mr Zalai said.
"The more worrying situation at present is lack of resources and funding available within the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment to manage the increased volumes into Melbourne and the wider national surge pre-Christmas.
"Unacceptable delays are impacting the processing of entries through the COLS systems, inspections and release of containers post treatment."
He said the FTA was in constant dialogue with the department to manage members concerns.