On 15 December 2023, Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) collaborated with Shipping Australia Ltd (SAL) and Container Transport Alliance Australia (CTAA) to call on the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) to declare a 'disruption event' in accordance with the Victorian Voluntary Code of Practice (VCoP).
This call followed significant congestion and operational challenges at the Port of Melbourne, exacerbated by unsuccessful efforts to resolve the Protected Industrial Action at DP World, with delays and costs jeopardising business viability and fuelling inflationary pressures.
In response, the Victorian Government convened a temporary Disruption Response Group (DRG) under the framework of the VCoP. The DRG, chaired by Freight Victoria and consisting of key industry stakeholders, including FTA/APSA, SAL, CTAA, and the Port of Melbourne, worked to address the severe disruptions affecting both shipping and landside logistics.
Key outcomes achieved by the DRG included:
- Regular updates with industry and DPW to anticipate operational impacts.
- Development of a Traffic Guidance Scheme by Port of Melbourne for future disruptions.
- Expanded CCTV monitoring on port roads for real-time congestion management.
- Improved monitoring of storage risks and Load Discharge Ratio at Empty Container Parks (ECPs).
- Increased visibility of time and cost impacts to supply chain stakeholders
Freight Victoria has now published a comprehensive report detailing the DRG's activities and the impact of its efforts to stabilise freight movements and restore normal operations.
The full report can be accessed HERE.
Victoria remains a leader in establishing a formalised, structured approach through the VCoP to manage freight disruptions, with the DRG model ensuring strong collaboration between government and industry.
Find out more
Previous updates
Further information is available on the FTA website.
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Tom Jensen - Head of International Freight & Logistics - FTA / APSA Copyright © 2024 Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) Pty Ltd, All rights reserved.
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