SHIPPING LINES have voiced loud complaints to Portnet about the proposed tariff increases from April 1.
We have no problem with the level of the increases (averaging around 6%-7%), said Safmarine's Brett Gray, speaking as joint chairman of the Container Liner Operators Forum. The question is: Are we getting what we paid for?
Normally, you'd only expect to face increases if you were given good quality, or improving, services. We can't see any rationale to justify this year's increases.
The consensus of opinion at the latest forum meeting on the subject pointed to continuing poor productivity at the ports.
We've had serious problems at Durban, said Gray, and sporadic problems at Port Elizabeth and Cape Town. Our ships have been delayed, and this has cost us a lot of money.
There should be no increase until there's
an improvement in the Portnet service. We'd like to see us getting something for our money.
Concerning the Transnet offer to discuss next year's tariff structure, Gray suggested that the lines needed to get compensation if the vessels were delayed.
We are looking for service agreements with the port authorities, he said, and would hope to conclude these by April 2001.
The basis of this agreement, in the lines' view, is that good service should bring rewards for the port staff. But - if Portnet fail to make the agreed levels of service - a penalty should be levied.
The ball is now in Portnet's court, said Gray.
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