'It smacks of collusion between Customs and Portnet'
PRIVATE HAULIERS are incensed at customs policy of restricting inter-terminal transport of containers in Durban harbour to Portnet Cartage.
This rather betrays the overall policy of open gates, in the view of the Durban harbour carriers' section of SAAFF (SA Association of Freight Forwarders).
"Although I can see why Customs is worried about boxes possibly going amiss with private carriers coming into it," said spokesman Paul Rayner, "it's not something that can't be easily overcome."
Road bonds for the private vehicles, for example, clear up any problem about them carrying in-bond, demurrage containers on this route, he added.
"Anyway, Portnet - when hard pushed - is sub-contracting out to just about anybody," said Rayner, "so I don't see how they justify this supposedly restricted transport option."
Indeed, it has raised other suspicions amongst the private carrier brigade.
"There is a smack of collusion between Customs and Portnet Cartage," Rayner said, "to preserve for Portnet a large area of their business."
The harbour carriers are currently taking legal advice, looking at the legality of this situation in an already de-monopolised scenario.
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