July 10, 2020

NSW empty container park study – further work is needed

Pictured: boxes in a stack on a container hardstand. Credit: “Hin und wieder gibts mal was” from Pixabay

Shipping Australia notes the release of the NSW Empty Container Supply Chain Study.

One goal of the NSW Freight and Ports Plan 2018-2023, according to Transport for New South Wales is to improve the flow of empty containers into and out of Port Botany.

It is a worthy goal.

Unfortunately, although we understand that many, or all, of the empty container parks were contacted, only two empty container parks actually took part.

Shipping Australia understands that there are about 20 or so Empty Container Parks in New South Wales. There are also a variety of intermodal terminal businesses that also handle empty containers as part of their business.

Only four cargo owners took part.

Only 17 companies in the category of “Transport operators/Freight Forwarders” took part. Having only 17 participants in that category is an especially low number – in the New South Wales version of the industry directory “Who Goes Where 2018” there are about 140 road-carriers listed in the “Carriers” section under the letters A to D alone.

And that doesn’t event take into account the companies in the second half of that category, namely, “Freight Forwarders”.

The NSW Empty Container Supply Chain Study simply does not have a big enough sample size so there is plenty of work still to go.

Further assessment must address empty container re-directions related to:

  • force majeure conditions at the terminals (e.g. high winds)
  • transport operators requesting redirection to the nearest empty container park
  • empty container parks accepting containers not marked for them when shipping lines use multiple empty container parks

Another necessity not yet addressed is promoting / incentivising triangulation at the shipping terminal i.e. empty drop off and full container load pick-ups without having to make two Vehicle Booking Slot bookings.

Shipping Australia welcomes the opportunity for further engagement with government and industry on this topic through participation in the Empty Container Working Group over the next six months.

We aim to encourage full participation from the ocean shipping lines, the empty container parks, transport operators, stevedores, cargo owners and other essential service providers.

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Search

Become a Member

Membership is open to all ship owners, operators and agents both Australian and International providing services to or within Australia.

Upcoming Events

May 8
Shipping Australia QLD Shipping Industry Golf Day
Join friends and colleagues for an enjoyable day, followed by a sumptuous dinner at the 2024 SAL QLD Shipping Industry Golf Day. The Golf Day will once again be held at the Wynnum Golf Club (located in beautiful Bayside and meanders over 31 hectares of picturesque parkland) on 8th May 2024. Ticket price includes: Light...
May 16
Shipping Australia Victoria 2024 Golf Day
The 8th Phil Kelly OAM Perpetual Golf Challenge Latrobe Golf Club, 8 Farm Road, Alphington VIC 3078 Format – 4 Ball Ambrose Thursday 16th May 2024 The 2024 SAL VIC Golf Day will be held on Thursday 16th May 2024 at the scenic Latrobe Golf Club.  Come along and enjoy a great course and scenery. ...

Latest News

Wollongong has a “promising” future for shipping, says NSW Planning Minister
Wollongong, as a centre for industry, mining, and shipping has “promising” future, the Hon Paul Scully MP, Member for Wollongong and the NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces told guests to the Shipping Australia Port Kembla Biennial Luncheon. The Minister told guests that, in January, the Freight Policy Reform Program began and it will...
Shipping Australia Victoria 2024 Golf Day: The 8th Phil Kelly OAM Perpetual Golf Challenge
The 2024 SAL VIC Golf Day will be held on Thursday 16th May 2024 at the scenic Latrobe Golf Club. Come along and enjoy a great course and scenery. Latrobe Golf Club is a beautiful course in the leafy suburb of Alphington, just 10 Km from Melbourne’s CBD. It is bordered on two sides by...

Latest Magazine

Shipping Australia – Annual Review 2023
January, 2024

Subscribe to the Signal Newsletter

Be the first to know about releases and industry news and insights or catch up on any editions you missed.