Shipping lines say port dispute will cost their customers

Representing the container shipping sector in New Zealand

MEDIA RELEASE

2 December 2011

Shipping lines say port dispute will cost their customers

The International Container Lines Committee is calling for Ports of Auckland management and the Maritime Union to resolve a dispute that looks likely to close the port’s Bledisloe and Fergusson container terminals.

“It is fair to say that we as an industry, have been heartened to see the progress that the both the Union and Ports of Auckland have made over the last eight or so months with regards to improved port productivity and port practices, under what appears to be a new, but successful model,” ICLC Chair Julian Bevis said.

“While there is still a long way to go for Auckland to match the productivity witnessed in the best ports in Australasia, it would be a shame if that progress were to go to waste.”

ICLC Chair Julian Bevis said the disruption was coming at the worst possible time for both exporters and importers, and would seriously inconvenience the lines and their customers.

“Having Auckland out of the equation for up to eight days over the next fortnight will seriously affect our ability to get goods loaded and unloaded on schedule, which will have considerable knock-on effects for our customers and for the New Zealand economy as a whole,” said Bevis.

Bevis said while he was heartened to read the two sides were meeting for further mediation next week, the apparent level of disagreement over the new operating model was “less than encouraging, given the promising achievements made to date”.

“Ultimately, the big losers in all this are those companies whose access to markets and customers around the world is hampered.”

ENDS

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