SYDNEY Ports Corporation (SPC) has announced Australia’s first performance management scheme to reduce congestion at the port landside interface will commence at Port Botany in late 2009.
SPC CEO Grant Gilfillan said it is intended the performance management framework will be in place by the final quarter of 2009, prior to any introduction of peak-period pricing in early 2010 which will help drive 24/7 operations for the whole landside supply chain.
An industry trial in April found that the operations of stevedores and carriers continue to be concentrated during peak periods.
This added to the risk of continued congestion at the port across the day, the SPC confirmed.
He added the trial revealed there is clearly a need to drive demand away from peak and shoulder periods towards off-peak periods.
The new framework will see penalties flow both ways from stevedores and transport operators for failures to meet service standards once they are agreed and in place.
He said the purpose of the peak and shoulder period charges is to reduce daytime congestion from road carriers entering the port terminals and to help drive off-peak and weekend operations.
Sydney Ports has decided on AUD160 as the initial peak price, with industry to be given one month to provide feedback.
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