CTAA - Melbourne Empty Container Congestion - Added Delays & Costs

SOURCE: CTAA

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Melbourne Empty Container Congestion: Added Delays & Costs Surging containerised import volumes through the Port of Melbourne, coupled with only average empty container evacuations by shipping lines, mean that the build-up of empty container stock has reached critical levels in Melbourne.   This has resulted in most of the empty container parks in Melbourne being near or at operational capacity, causing delays in import container de-hires, difficulties in accessing export empties in some instances, expensive redirections, truck queuing and added landside logistics costs.   The build-up of empty containers involves major shipping lines, notably Maersk / Hamburg Sud, MSC, COSCO / China Shipping, and Hyundai. The congestion will not be alleviated any time soon.  So, everyone needs to understand the landside implications and added costs, and what steps they need to take to minimise the impacts. Read More

Container Detention – Legal Position CTAA is pleased to be collaborating with Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) in 2021 to advocate for changes to the container detention policies and practices of the foreign container shipping lines servicing Australia.  CTAA is of the view that container detention issues and shipping line practices should be formally reviewed by the Australian Government, similar to the investigation and subsequent rulings made by the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) in the USA: Commission Issues New Guidance on Detention & Demurrage - Federal Maritime Commission - Federal Maritime Commission (fmc.gov) Initially, FTA is hosting a unique Webinar that will explore the legal position on container detention when the shipping line cannot provide an adequate return option:  Do force majeure / frustration issues affect container detention? Can importers, forwarders or transport operators seek damages for increased storage and staged container costs? Can shipping lines hold releases for future consignments if previous detention charges are unpaid? When: Thursday, 21 January 2021 – 12noon to 1pm (AEDT) The Webinar will be delivered by Russell Wiese, Partner, Hunt & Hunt Lawyers. This Webinar shouldn't be missed!! Register: HERE Servicing a Strong Alliance Share Share Forward Tweet