Container turn-in dispute resolved

The contentious container turn-in battle between truckers and Maersk/Safmarine has been resolved with Maersk Line MD, David Williams, surrendering to the truckers’ demand. The lines had demanded that empty containers be turned in direct to the port container terminals stacks while the truckers called for a return to the agreement reached in 2010, when this issue was first raised by the lines, that truckers and their clients (the importers) should have the choice of where to drop off the empty containers. Said Kevin Martin, chairman of the Durban Harbour Carriers’ Association (DHCA): “As I stated at our July 27 meeting with Maersk/ Safmarine, my objective was to ensure that my members have ‘freedom of choice’ with regards to the turning in of empty containers.” The reasoning for this, Martin told FTW, was that dropping empty containers at the terminal had security risks attached to it, and the terminal was notorious for its delays. “So depots as a drop-off point gives us the best possible service. If, by some magic wand-waving, Maersk can get the terminal sorted out, no transporter would decline a superior service at no cost to himself. “But, until then, he has the freedom of choice that I requested.” The letter to the DHCA on August 15 from Williams acceded to this requirement. It said: “The practical approach to ‘freedom of choice’ as agreed with Craig Maulson remains in place and we will continue to work directly with consignees and their transporters where it makes sense and can be effectively implemented.” And, said Maulson, southern Africa cluster operations manager for the AP Moller-Maersk Group: “In terms of the freedom of choice that was requested by the hauliers, a practical resolution has been put in place and Maersk Line will work directly with specific customers and their transporters where it makes sense and can be implemented effectively. “One of the concerns raised is the delays faced at Durban terminal and we will continue to work with Transnet to improve this situation where possible”