Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) have received the following media releases from Svitzer outlining details of Protected Industrial Action affecting Geelong, Melbourne and Fremantle tug operations- refer HERE (FTA/APSA MEMBER LOGIN REQUIRED)
FTA / APSA provided the following commentary in an interview yesterday (Sunday 11 July 2021) with the Australian Financial Review:
Freight & Trade Alliance director Paul Zalai said the 24-hour strikes came on top of rising congestion and weeks of stoppages and overtime bans at Patrick stevedores, which he said had led to a 25 per cent reduction in containers serviced by rail.
''If the Svitzer action is expanded and prolonged it will have devastating economic impacts,'' he said.
''We are struggling now with huge demand for import and export goods, so any delays in berthing is just going to exacerbate the problems. Shipping lines may be left with no choice but to skip ports to keep international schedules.''
Full article Maersk ships targeted as port strikes escalate is available HERE (AFR subscription required)
Paul Zalai - Director FTA | Secretariat APSA | Director GSF