Rail Operations at DP World Sydney
Dear Valued Clients,
As you are aware, the CFMMEU is currently staging Protected Industrial Action at all DP World Australia (DPWA) terminals.
In addition to the terminal stoppages which continue to challenge DPWA, the CFMMEU has placed bans on employees working in tasks above their normal grade, overtime, shift extensions, accepting late call-ins and no advanced or delayed start times. These bans restrict the ability of the business to deliver the required labour allocation.
As a result, DPWA has been forced to close rail operations at our Sydney terminal from 1400 Friday 29 March (today) to 0600 Monday 1 April.
We recognise the impact that these cancellations have on rail operators, your operations and customers. However, we hope that you will appreciate that the impact of these bans and the limitations on our operations is dynamic and changes rapidly.
We will continue to work with DP World Australia to minimise disruptions and to ensure that the industry is aware of developments as they occur.
Kind Regards,
SILA Customer Service
MUA Dispute Impacting Rail Operations
Dear Valued Clients,
Please be noted of the following:
DP World Australia
We have been advised by DP World Australia that rail operations will not operate from 2pm tomorrow Thursday 28 March 2019 until 6am Friday 29 March 2019.
These closures are a result of continuing industrial action. These types of events are increasing in regularity and speak to the seriousness of the situation. Particularly affected are NSW regional exporters dependent on rail services to the Port.
We will continue to work with DP World Australia to minimise disruptions and to ensure that the industry is aware of developments as they occur.
Patrick Stevedores
A reminder to members that the MUA will be holding a stop work meeting at Patrick Fisherman Island terminal tomorrow at Thursday 28 March 2019 from 7am until 11am. The terminal will cease yard/ship operations during this time.
We have been assured by Patrick management that this is not related to the ongoing Enterprise Agreement dispute currently affecting DP World Australia and Hutchison.
Kind Regards,
SILA Customer Service
Hutchinson BNE Terminal Fee Increase
Dear Valued Clients,
Please be advised of the following Terminal charges which will change or apply as indicated below
• Hutchison has increased their Terminal infrastructure fee effective 15th April 2019 for all customers. The fee has increased to AUD 41.41 per container.
Additionally SILA Global wish to bring to your attention that Hutchinson Sydney Terminal is likely to notify of an increase in the coming weeks. A revised update will be broadcasted once notice is received for this particular terminal.
Kind Regards,
SILA Customer Service
DP World Botany - Further Industrial Action
Dear Valued Clients,
We have received advice from DP World Australia Port Botany that they have received advice of Intention to take Protected Industrial Action on 1 April 2019 and 2 April 2019.
1/4/19 Stoppage from 1200-1400, No slots will be released for 1100, 1200 & 1300 zones. Work to resume 1400.
1/4/19 Stoppage from 2000-2200, No slots will be released for 1900,2000 & 2100 zones. Work to resume 2200.
2/4/19 Stoppage from 0400-0600, No slots will be released for 0300,0400 & 0500 zones Work to resume 0600.
Rail operations
Further to the previous advice received 22 March 2019, we understand that there were additional impacts on rail operations from 2200, Friday 22 March 2019 until 0600 today, Monday 25 March 2019 – furthermore the rail operations will not operate from 2200 tonight until 0600 tomorrow, Tuesday 26 March 2019.
In the event of closure of the DP World Australia rail operations, alternate arrangements are essential using receivals and deliveries by road. This will particularly impact exporters with potential delays and additional costs associated with the use of rail / road combinations.
Kind Regards,
SILA Customer Service
DP World Industrial Action - Update
Dear Valued Clients,
Please note below the latest update from DP World in relation to the industrial action at their sites.
The Protected Industrial Action (PIA) which commenced at DP World Australia (DPWA) terminals this week has been mitigated to the best extent possible, with all vessel and roadside operations continuing.
We will continue to explore every opportunity possible to minimise the disruption to our customers resulting from the irresponsible actions of the CFMMEU. These actions are deliberately causing harm to shipping lines, transport and rail operators, and employees who continue to lose wages.
The CFMMEU's actions continue to be completely out of touch with the financial outlook of the Company and unsustainable in our competitive industry.
The Customer Centre with our terminals will continue to explore options to minimise disruption to our customers vessels.
We appreciate everyone's support and patience as we work through these challenges.
Friday 22 March 2019
SYDNEY
• 1 hour from 1300 to 1400
• 1 hour from 1400 to 1500
• 1 hour from 2200 to 2300
All terminal operations will be stopped during these hours.
Saturday 23 March
MELBOURNE
• 1 hour from 1300 to 1400
• 1 hour from 1400 to 1500
• 1 hour from 2200 to 2300
All terminal operations will be stopped during these hours.
Sunday 24 March 2019
BRISBANE
• 1 hour from 0700 to 0800
• 1 hour from 1500 to 1600
• 1 hour from 2300 to 0000
Vessel operations and road operations to the Old Terminal are affected. Road operations to the automated modules will continue as normal.
Sunday 24 March 2019
FREMANTLE
• 24 hours from 0600 to 0600 Monday March 25
All terminal operations will be stopped during these hours
Wednesday 27 March 2019
BRISBANE
• 24 hours from 0700 to 0700 Thursday 28 March
Vessel operations and road operations to the Old Terminal are affected. Road operations to the automated modules will continue as normal
Friday 29 March 2019
BRISBANE
• 4 hours from 0700 to 1100
Vessel operations and road operations to the Old Terminal are affected. Road operations to the automated modules will continue as normal
Kind Regards,
SILA Customer Service
Industrial Action at DP World Australia
Dear Valued Clients,
As you may be aware the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) has advised DP World Australia (DPWA) of its intention to commence industrial action at DPWA sites.
As of 1700 Friday afternoon, we have been notified of protected industrial action at the following sites:
• Fremantle Terminal commencing 19 March 2019
• Port Botany Terminal commencing 22 March 2019
• Brisbane Terminal commencing 22 March 2019
• Melbourne Terminal commencing 23 March 2019
The protected industrial action advised to date includes bans on employees working in tasks above their normal grade, overtime, shift extensions, accepting late call ins and no advanced or delayed start times. It also allows for one-hour and in the case of Fremantle 24 hour work stoppages.
What you need to know:
Minimising the customer disruption caused by the industrial action is our immediate priority. We are reviewing operational interim arrangements at our sites and will be working with vessel operators to minimise as far as practicable the impact to schedules.
Kind Regards,
SILA Customer Service
MUA announce national industrial action against DP World Australia
Dear Valued Clients,
Please be advised that the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) have voted in support of taking rolling industrial action against DP World Australia (DPWA), including strikes and indefinite work bans, with actions to commence from next Friday.
The bans and strike action include bans on upgrades, bans on overtime and shift extensions, and a series of rolling work stoppages of between 1 and 24 hours.
Comments from the MUA, DPWA and Freight & Trade Alliance / Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) were published in today's Australian Financial Review and are available on the CTAA website HERE.
FTA / APSA are in close contact with DPWA , who are working to minimise the disruptions, and we will provide more information as it becomes available.
Kind Regards,
SILA Customer Service
Cyclone Disrupting Brisbane Ports
Dear Valued Clients,
Please be advised that Tropical Cyclone Oma is having a major impact on the Port of Brisbane.
Pilotage has been suspended and potentially will not resume until Monday 25/02/19, pending swell/weather moderation. Many vessel are being redirected or omitting Brisbane and we will update you as they come to hand.
Container Terminals and Empty parks are also preparing for the possible effects with closer notices are already circulating.
Kind Regards,
SILA Customer Service
Export Security Screening - Effective March 1st 2019
Dear Valued Clients,
Please note that there are new requirements on export security screenings being placed on all air freight shipments. To avoid delays and additional charges, its highly beneficial to become a known consignor.
For further information, please click here to view Qantas' FAQ page on export screening.
Please Note: Cargo that requires security screening must be presented at labelled piece level, with presented pieces reflected as such on the MAWB. For cargo that fails primary screening the security screening fee will be recharged as if the shipment is being resubmitted.
Homogenous Cargo: is cargo where each piece contains exactly the same item. Homogenous cargo may receive consolidated screening. If during the screening process our staff determine the cargo is nonhomogenous, we will need to confirm labelling and paperwork compliance before being able to re-screen cargo in accordance with the non-homogenous requirement below.
Please note: additional handling and security screening charges may apply and your cargo may be delayed if the cargo does not meet the requirement above.
Non-Homogenous Cargo: is cargo where each piece contains different items, or the same item made from different materials. Each piece will need to be labelled separately with the AWB number and paperwork must show the total number of pieces. Any non-homogenous cargo that is not labelled will be rejected.
Please note: additional handling and security screening charges may apply and your cargo may be delayed if the cargo does not meet the requirement above.
Kind Regards,
SILA Customer Service
Safe rates summit – Local transport rates set to rise !
Dear Valued Clients,
The Transport Workers Union (TWU) gained a significant employer’s voice in favour of its resurgent Safe Rates campaign.
ACFS Port Logistics CEO Arthur Tzaneros was on hand at Parliament House in Canberra for the Safe Rates Summit organised by the union and the ALP, to reiterate his concern that a free-for-all on transport rates is unrestrained and going in only one direction.
"The transport industry, in short, is now in crisis," Tzaneros says in a summit video on the union’s site.
"We’ve hit the floor in regards to rates, payment terms, and compliance across the transport industry.
"Our trucks share the roads with families, our friends and the general community.
"I’ve spoken about, in a previous forum, that there is no floor – we can pay a sub-contractor less than a company driver.
"We provide a driver and pay them more than what we pay a sub-contractor. A sub-contractor that has to provide a truck; a truck driver that has to provide a trailer, and has to cover all those costs.
"There is no floor [and] there is no regulation as to how low sub-contractors are paid. It’s as low as they want to go.
"We’ve now got to the point that the customers out there on an annual basis are expecting reductions. There is offshore procurements; there is online tendering – with the sole focus of reduced rates.
"We can’t continue to be a sustainable industry, we can’t continue to be an industry that youth wants to enter – an ageing industry – with the state our industry is in at the present.
"We need to do something and now is the time."
The union later quoted further statements attributed to Tsaneros.
"Arthur Tzaneros of port logistics company ACFS says when rates are reduced by as much as 40% there is guaranteed pressure on transport operators and workers. We know that pressure is deadly on our roads," it states on Twitter.
"The only way to make ends meet when truck drivers are underpaid is to sleep slumped over their steering wheels between double shifts. I’ve seen it happen," Arthur Tzaneros, ACFS."
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ALP and TWU have flagged their intentions with industry. Read about it, here
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Also speaking at the event, the ALP’s transport spokesman Anthony Albanese, reaffirmed his party’s commitment to push for reform of the trucking industry if the next election leads to a change of government.
Albanese takes aim at "bad practices" from a "completely free-market, let it rip approach" in the industry that affects drivers, companies and road safety.
"That’s why this is an issue for the whole community, not just the heavy vehicle industry," he says.
While not calling for the reinstitution of the abolished Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal (RSRT), Albanese insisted having nothing in its place was a blunder.
He reiterated once more that, should Labor be elected, "we are absolutely committed to taking action when it comes to Safe Rates".
Related consultation at the summit and before the election would allow an ALP government to "act and act early, to make sure we make a difference".
ACTU president Michelle O’Neil underlines the union movement’s support for the TWU campaign.
"It is long past time to put in place a system here we no longer have deadly pressure in this supply chain." O’Neil says.
ALP industrial relations spokesman Brendan O’Connor defended the RSRT as a "regulatory response" to the "race to the bottom on safety and the race to the bottom on rates", when previously there was no such mechanism.
While saying the RSRT wasn’t going to stop all accidents O’Connor credited the RSRT with "contributing to a decline in accident
Kind Regards,
SILA Customer Service