Empty Container De-hire and Free Time
Good Day All,
We are becoming increasingly aware of issues in regards to de-hiring containers with currently the most affected port being Sydney. The FTA & CTAA have published a very informative article in regards to the pressures and issues faced, which you can find here.
With many shipping lines offering limited free time of 7 or 8 days from the day of discharge, we are seeking your support to request min of 10 days from First Free day and 14 free days for discharge in Sydney.
Patrick Terminals Infrastructure Surcharge Increase - Effective from 4 March 2019
Dear Valued Client,
We have received advice from Patrick Stevedores that they will be increasing their infrastructure charges on full containers that enter or leave the terminal, as follows:
Sydney - $82.50 per full container
Fisherman Islands - $76.50 per full container
East Swanson Dock - $87.50 per full container
There have been no increases in Fremantle, where Patrick are currently negotiating their lease.
Unlike the recent VICT notice which refers to a split waterside/landside tariff, Patrick have quoted "excess charges over CPI that relate to our property and related costs".
Kind Regards,
SILA Customer Service
VICT Increase Infrastructure Surcharge
Dear Valued Client,
Customs are advised that from 1 March 2019, VICT will be increasing the Infrastructure Surcharge to $90.00 per container (exclusive of GST) and will apply to all full containers, received or delivered to VICT.
As market pricing shifts towards split waterside and landside tariffs, the Infrastructure Surcharge will be revised accordingly. The rebalancing allows VICT to remain competitive in the market, whilst continuing to provide shipping lines and shippers with leading service levels and a viable alternative container terminal in Melbourne. Ongoing access to VICT will be conditional on payment of these charges as per our terms and conditions.
Kind Regards,
SILA Customer Service
Issues Caused By Large Volumes & Melbourne Wharves
Dear Valued Client,
Over the past 3 weeks, there has been a massive spike in import and export container volumes through the Port of Melbourne.
Further to this, there has been a number of industry problems that have affected our business.
1. 1-stop system – As most of you are aware the 1-stop system is the main information exchange between the stevedores and the transport carriers. Over the past three weeks, they have had intermitted IT problems resulting in the shutting down of the Melbourne terminals for anywhere from 60 minutes up to 4 hours. On top of this, the 1-stop system was not allowing us to manifest any export containers for nearly 24 hours. This disruption caused massive delays at DP World with 3-4 hour queues.
2. Constantly changing vessel windows – Melbourne is currently experiencing huge changes to vessel availabilities as vessel continue to arrive “off window”. With the delays mentioned above this further compounds delays in container movements.
3. Road infrastructure – Every year from Christmas to late January the Government and VIC Roads use this opportunity to resurface most of the major arterial roads around Melbourne. This causes more delays for us. As usual lanes on the Westgate bridge are shut for maintenance and as it is the major road from the West to the South/South East, this causes massive delays for us.
4. Direct to wharf empty dehires – the shipping lines have also lifted significantly the amount of containers that must be dehired direct to the terminals. With the terminals under duress for the reasons outlined above this places more stress on the already under pressure terminals.
5. Import Containers failing to be picked up – DP World in particular, make the carriers use Stack runs to move the containers in/out of the terminals. In the norm, this works well. However when the terminal cannot service the number of trucks that are booked for container movements they change the Stack run to alter the volume of containers to be moved in/out of the terminal. Unfortunately, we have no control over how or when they decide to do this. We have had stack runs (like last night) that was supposed to be completed by 5 am this morning but only half of the import containers were able to be moved out of the terminal due to 3-4 hour delays. DP World has now decided that our stack run will be re-opened from 1400 hours today.
As you can see the industry as a whole is under massive stress. The IT systems, wharves, empty parks and carriers have all been hit hard by this sudden surge in import and export containers.
Please email your respective contacts at SILA for anything urgent.
Kind Regards,
SILA Customer Service
SILA Phone Line Outage
Dear Valued Client,
Please be noted that currently, our phone lines are down across all offices.
We're currently working on bringing them back into operation however this may take some time.
Please email your respective contacts at SILA for anything urgent.
Kind Regards,
SILA Customer Service
SILA Holiday Trading Hours
Dear Valued Client,
Please be noted of our holiday period trading hours as below:
- Monday 24th December – Office closes 1pm / 12pm Brisbane time
- Tuesday 25th December – Office Closed
- Wednesday 26th December – Office Closed
- Monday 31st December – Office closes 1pm / 12pm Brisbane time
- Tuesday 1st January – Office Closed
Kind Regards,
SILA Customer Service
Amended Infrastructure Access Charge at Port Botany (DP World - Sydney) - 1st January 2019
Dear Valued Client,
Please be advised that DP World Australia will be increasing the Infrastructure Access Charge at their Port Botany Terminal (Sydney) for road and rail operators, and will also be adjusting a number of ancillary charges.
The infrastructure access charge will be $69.80 per container (exclusive of GST) and will apply to all full containers received or delivered via road at Port Botany Terminal. Full containers received or delivered via road will be charged to the road carrier through the 1-Stop Vehicle Booking System.
In addition, a number of Container Terminal Ancillary Charges that will apply at Port Botany Terminal will be adjusted from 1 January 2019. These include:
- VBS Administration Fee – electronic
- Stack Run In & Out Fee
- Direct Return of Empty Booking Fee
DP World Australia recognises the importance of working closely with operators as part of implementing new or increased charges. Ongoing access to Port Botany Terminal will be conditional on payment of the charges as per DP World's conditions.
Kind Regards,
SILA Customer Service
Changes to Customs Import Processing Charges
We wish to advise that the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS) has now released the much anticipated Australian Customs and Border Protection Notice No. 2013/63 (refer below link) advising of the increase to the Import Processing Charges (IPC) via a two tiered approach.
The Import Processing Charges Amendment Bill 2013 has been introduced into Parliament and is expected to be passed by both Houses of Parliament within the current sitting period.
Should the legislation be passed the new charges will apply from 1 January 2014.
Please take note of the new processing charges accordingly and please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any questions.
http://customs.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/ACBPN201363.pdf
SILA - FESTIVE SEASON TRADING HOURS
Seasons Greetings from all at SILA, we hope you have an enjoyable and restful festive season.
Please take note of the following trading hours and dates of when SILA will be closed during this time.
24th December 2013 - Open from 8.30am to 1.00pm
25th December 2013 - Closed Public Holiday
26th December 2013 - Closed Public Holiday
27th December 2013 - Open
30th December 2013 - Open
31st December 2013 - Open from 8.30am to 1.00pm
1st January 2014 - Closed Public Holiday
2nd January 2014 - Re-open for business as usual
27th January 2014 - Closed Public Holiday
Emergency contact person - Simon Pepper - 0450 665 812
We trust that 2013 has been a great year for you and hope that 2014 has even better prospects.
Kind Regards
The SILA Team
Update to Customs Infringement Notice Scheme and Monitoring
The Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBP) has released an Exposure Draft of the Customs Amendment (Infringement Notice) Regulations 2013 and associated Draft Infringement Notice Scheme Guide (INSG) for industry comment (ACN 2013/52).
The INSG explains ACBP's approach to issuing an Infringement Notice. Section 9 of the Guide lists the penalty amounts for a natural person and a body corporate payable under the Infringement Notice Scheme for each offence in the scheme which has been increased dramatically.
While the types of errors and terms have been expanded in regards to False or misleading statements resulting in a loss of duty or no loss of duty Under S 243U(1) and S 243T(1), Some key points we would like to bring to our Customers attention are
- S 181(5) - A person other than the owner or under the provision acts on behalf of the owner, does or represents he or she is able to do any act or thing in relation to the goods that is required or permitted to be done by the owner - customs brokers may be obliged to carry out functions and/or duties as instructed to do so by the ACBP without consultation with the owner.
- S240AB(3),(3A) and (7) - Failure of a person to keep a communication to Customs for the specific period - this includes electronic communications from in-house clearance systems and the reliance on customs brokers computer systems to ensure data is secured and accessible.
In previous communication we have also advised and updated on Customs policy in regards to the use of complete and correct Documentation for clearance purpose ( ACN2013/46). In addition the scope of our obligations as a Licence Holder under the Customs Act have been extended (ACN2012/73) to include alerting Customs to any possible behaviour or action which may be of concern to them. Joining these with the proposed amendments currently drafted for the INSG, we feel this should serve as a reminder to all stakeholders of ACBP’s commitment to ensure industry compliance.