CTAA continues to support its Alliance companies in all container ports who are taking steps to recover the true costs of de-hiring empty containers direct to wharf as instructed by some Shipping Lines.
While it is acknowledged that improvements have been made in slot availability and operating performance at particular stevedore terminals and associated facilities, additional costs remain due to:
- Empty container staging via yard – to align slot availability with other wharf work;
- Inability to backload – at some facilities;
- Lack of flexibility in the de-hire location;
- Redirections away from wharf facilities with little notice;
- Stevedore imposed financial penalties;
- Container detention delay risks.
In addition, the decision by Maersk Line to dictate “direct de-hire to ship” instructions adds further costs, including the administration and lodgement of a Pre-Receival Advice (PRA), as well as transport operators having to compete for normal export slots for the nominated ship.
Direct de-hire to wharf instructions are delivering significant cost savings to all shipping lines utilising these practices. However, their application has resulted in additional costs for container transport operators which should be recovered commercially.