WA Port Operations Task Force Meeting 2 June ... - Fremantle Ports

difficulties in securing efficient movement of empty containers through therail hub at Forrestfield which has made it more cost effective for shippers touse road transport, resulting in loss of some key contracts from the railcontainer service.The effect of these factors has been to significantly reduce rail volumes in recentmonths - currently rail is carrying the annual equivalent of less than 50,000 TEU - inlate 2008 it had reached almost double that level.The Government and the operators involved with the rail service are committed toaddressing the current issues and restoring rail to a growth path.The exporter survey on use of inland hubs and container parks (reported on inanother agenda item) is a potentially significant input into this work.4. Empty Container Parks (contact: Doug Brindal)ECP booking systemsThe Containerchain initiative in Melbourne was due to go live on 6 th May but wasdelayed due to some concerns expressed by several carriers. More recently onemajor carrier proposed that the initiative should be run past ACCC to see whetherAuthorisation was required in view of there being a number of competing parties (ieECP’s) involved.One of the major Parks agreed with this and wrote to ACCC last week. ACCC arerequired to indicate within 2 weeks whether Authorisation will be required. If so,the whole process would be delayed while the matter is investigated (as for theTwo-way loading proposal that was undertaken last year).If Authorisation is not required, two of the major Parks will introduce the newsystem quickly with the other 7 to follow shortly after. Once introduced carriers willbe required to register and make bookings if they are to be serviced at the Parks.However, arrangements will be put in place to minimise disruption with the newsystem’s introduction.As noted last report, the Business Rules set by each participating ECP are publishedon the Containerchain website. Most Parks will be charging a fee of $5 for eachnotification for a container drop off or pick up.ECP stocks and capacity utilisationContainer Parks’ stocks for May were 11600 TEU, up from 10900 in April. Thisrepresents capacity utilisation of 72%, still at the lower end of holdings since thesestats have been collected.Doug BrindalFremantle PortsMay 31st 20113