Users of Port Botany should be able to look forward to a more efficient and consistent movement of containers through Port Botany, thanks to proposed new regulations and mandatory standards introduced by the NSW Government. The new regulations and mandatory standards form part of the Port Botany Landside Improvement Strategy (PBLIS).

New performance standards will allow stevedores and carriers to be able to penalise each other if either party fails to meet set benchmarks. This means that for the first time, there will be a clear commercial relationship between stevedores and carriers. Sydney Ports will also set a new regulated charge for rail servicing of the port.

The new regulations are designed to:

• Improve the consistency of truck turn round times at the port.
• Reduce carrier times in and out of the port.
• Deliver better utilisation of existing port infrastructure.
• Improved transparency of operations.

The regulations will be rolled-out in stages, to allow truck carriers and stevedores time to adapt to the new system before penalties come into effect. The new standards are now on the Sydney Ports website so users of the port can familiarise themselves and provide feedback.

In February 2011, Sydney Ports will lead stevedores and truck carriers on a trial of the new system before actual penalties are enforced.

The introduction of regulations is the culmination of more than two years of discussion, inquiry and negotiation between stakeholders, in a bid to improve the landside interface between the stevedoring operations and the road and rail carriers throughout the port precinct.

The PBLIS reform package is designed to deliver cost benefits over 10 years on a Net Present Value (NPV) of AUD $27.9 million.

AFIF has played its part in the process and we now look forward to the regulations coming into effect.

Regards