The Victorian and New South Wales Governments have welcomed an agreement between the states and territories to develop voluntary national guidelines for stevedore infrastructure and access charges.
Infrastructure and access charges have been implemented and charged by stevedores to transport carriers for the pickup and drop off of import and export containers.
Australia's Infrastructure and Transport Ministers endorsed a plan for the National Transport Commission to develop voluntary national guidelines for applying stevedore infrastructure and access charges at Australia's container ports.
Taking a national approach will support consistency between Australian ports.
The development of these guidelines will provide greater certainty for both stevedores and landside transport operators and provide greater understanding of the benefits of investment in terminal facilities.
The National Transport Commission, as the national land transport reform agency, will lead this work and will engage with industry and jurisdictions on developing the guidelines.
This work will include consideration of Victoria's Voluntary Performance Model at the Port of Melbourne.
Draft guidelines will be provided to the Infrastructure and Transport Ministers for endorsement in 2021.
Industry will continue to be updated and consulted as details on the project development timeframe become available.
As stated by Victoria's Minister for Ports and Freight Melissa Horne
"Victoria's commitment to fair pricing and transparency at our ports led to the development of a landmark voluntary port pricing model."
"The adoption of a similar, national model at ports around Australia will deliver consistency for the rest of the country's producers, too."
As stated by NSW Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance
"We are pleased to have negotiated a national approach to developing voluntary guidelines as it will provide consistency and transparency for the transport industry.
"The ultimate aim of the guidelines is to help improve efficiency and consistency for everyone who relies on our ports for the movement of freight."
