On top of the controversial imminent introduction of "Pondus", Patrick Terminals have today announced their revised annual landside tariff (effective 1 March 2021) which includes a further increase in landside Infrastructure Surcharges / Terminal Access Charges nationally, the re-introduction of a side-loader fee and the introduction of a 'long vehicle fee'.
PATRICK TERMINAL PUBLIC TARIFF
Terminal Access Charge
Members would be familiar with the ongoing advocacy led by the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) and Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) that culminated in the outcome from the Infrastructure and Transport Ministers meeting on 20 November 2020 that the National Transport Commission (NTC) will lead reform and the development of 'voluntary national guidelines' to apply to stevedore access charges (both their introduction and increase) at Australia's container ports – further detail is available HERE
It is likely that the increase would have been higher if it was not for the current spotlight on stevedore charging arrangements.
This remains a far from satisfactory outcome as stevedores now appear to have an unimpeded ability and tacit state government endorsement to make incremental increases on already high base rates for this charge.
Side-loader fee
FTA challenged the introduction of this fee that was first introduced by Patrick in September 2012 – at the time our argument was based on the following factors:- Direct deliveries from wharf to importer would further decrease - the proposed fee would most likely force a greater use of "staging" solutions with transport operators using "conventional" trailers / vehicles for container receipt and completing secondary deliveries to importers with side loaders - this would add to the volume of containers being staged as many transport operators are already being forced to take deliveries at off-peak periods and complete next day deliveries.
- Significant impact on short term business viability on smaller transport operators - the proposed fee will have a lesser impact for transport operators with sufficient resources to stage containers and in many cases their operations will most likely be "business as usual" - the real impact will be on smaller transport operators with the quantum of the fee and the short time frame before implementation jeopardising their ongoing commercial viability.
Our successful advocacy at the time saw this fee removed but some eight years later Patrick clearly see a need to again recover costs.
Long vehicle fee
This is a new one for us.
Patrick has introduced a new fee per vehicle operating in truck and trailer combinations of more than 26m requiring access to the Autostrad grid.
FTA / APSA will continue the advocacy lead for the need for meaningful government intervention to wind back shipping line and stevedore surcharges / penalties and will keep members up to date on pertinent developments. |
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