We are pleased to note the ACCC has cleary acknowledged that “new infrastructure charges raise issues for the port supply chain”.
The ACCC have also submitted that:
- “It appears that a key reason for the charges is for the stevedores to restructure their revenues away from their shipping line customers and towards the transport sector.”
- “It remains to be seen how this may impact transport operators, however it is concerning that they are limited in being able to switch stevedores in response to higher prices.
- “It is likely that the new infrastructure charges will result in shippers paying more to transport goods”.
While the ACCC has provided no indication that they will directly intervene in the immediate term, FTA/APSA praise the ACCC for acknowledging the significant impacts of these charges.
It is clearly an unfair, noncompetitive and unsustainable commercial practice, at the gateway of Australia’s international trade task. As an industry we need the support of the ACCC and the relevant Minister on this matter.
FTA/APSA has engaged a competition lawyer to support our work in this area and we will keep members abreast of developments as they emerge.