As outlined in our member notice from 16 August 2023, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has commenced industry consultation in preparation for the 2022-23 Container stevedoring monitoring report.

As part of this work, Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) supported the ACCC in the dissemination of survey documents, targeting different levels of the supply chain, to seek the views of key industry participants.

Complimenting this, FTA / APSA provided a detailed submission on 23 August 2023 and earlier today met with ACCC representatives addressing:

shipping competition (repeal of Part X, exclusive dealings via vertical integration, quayside cost recovery);
Terminal Access Charges (stevedores, empty container parks); and
container detention (import and export),

In summary, FTA and APSA commended the Productivity Commission (PC) on the findings of the review of Australia's Maritime Logistics System addressing port productivity, infrastructure requirements, workplace arrangements and a need for a changed competition setting in vital parts of the maritime logistics system.

FTA / APSA Submission to the Productivity Commission

FTA / APSA submission to the Productivity Commission - 11 Feb 2022
FTA / APSA supplementary submission (Terminal Access Charges) – 19 Apr 2022
Supplementary FTA/APSA submission (Container Detention) – 4 May 2022
Supplementary FTA/APSA submission (Landside Congestion) – 19 May 2022

FTA / APSA media coverage of the PC inquiry final report
ABC Country Hour - speaking out against terminal charges (45min:27Sec to 52min:50sec)
DCN - FTAs recommendations to the Productivity Commission
AFR - Patrick Terminals says curbing strikes at 'core' of port productivity
DCN – PC report fuels more port efficiency discussions
ABC Country Hour – mandatory code and PC report (10min:30sec to 17min:50sec)
MHD - Patrick Terminals and FTA respond to PCI report
SkyNews BusinessNow – PC recommendations

While the PC report has identified inefficiencies at Australia's major container ports cost the Australian economy about $600 million per year, FTA and APSA provided evidence to the ACCC with a conservative estimate that the unreasonable administration of Terminal Access Charges and container detention fees alone has directly cost our trade sector $1 billion over each of the last three years.

FTA and APSA look forward to further engagement with the ACCC and the Federal Government in implementing essential reforms in response to the PC findings and recommendations.

Paul Zalai - Director FTA | Secretariat APSA | Director GSF

FTA / APSA provide evidence to support ACCC stevedore monitoring report