CANBERRA: A series of tariff increases at Australian ports has incurred the wrath of Shipping Australia, representing shipowners. Among recent increases is a 3% general rise by NSW Ports at Port Kembla, effective July 1. Shipping Australia says that some Australian ports and service providers have commenced customary annual price increase with little or no justification and scant regard for global shipping viability, with the industry suffering widespread losses due to record low container, general and dry bulk shipping rates. It compared this with the situation in Singapore where the port authority recently gave a 10% concession on port dues for bulk carriers.
“Port visit costs in Australia far exceed those prevailing at Singapore and any further increases in Australian port costs will only make this situation more unreasonable,” said Shipping Australia. The organisation has written to ports and pilot service providers pointing out that if Singapore can cut charges by a further 10% then Australia should hold rates steady for the next 12 months at least.
