The LoadStar - Strikes at DPW ports across Australia exacerbating empty box shortage

The article highlights transport operators must return and collect containers to facilities contracted to the shipping line. Like at stevedore operations, they must pay an access fee with no ability to influence service or price. These empty container parks are also experiencing happy days with their 'money tap' generating increases as high as 60%.

This charging regime alone, across all Australian container stevedores and empty containers parks, is costing more $850 million a year. Add this impost of incontestable fees to the estimated ongoing impact of the failed negotiations between DP World and the union (estimated to be $84M per week), and our trade sector is paying more than $100 million week in deplorably high and unreasonable costs.