Public and private sector talk the same language

"BRING US your collaborative propositions and we will listen closely." That was the message from Minister of Public Enterprises Alec Erwin at last week’s inaugural SA Shippers’ Council conference in Johannesburg “The Transnet Board has a mandate to explore any arrangement that will improve the efficiency and capacity of the freight system. Such opportunities exist and I am certain will evolve in the rail and port systems,” he told the more than 100 delegates who gathered for the event. It was an undertaking welcomed by every industry sector – mining, petrochemicals, metals, cement and general cargo – who spoke with one voice as they outlined the supply to a particular despatch area in the terminal, from where the container will be shipped,” Robinson added. As a result, the incorrect entry of the booking reference number could see the container loaded into the wrong vessel – and a Los Angeles-bound cargo ending up in Tokyo, for instance. This, according to Robinson, could lead to DHCA members having to accept liability for this misrouting – and to potential claims from TPT, the truckers' customers or other third parties for, amongst other things, market losses, deterioration of perishable goods and the costs of redirecting the container to its correct destination. But, said Kevin Martin, MD of Freightliner, and vicechairman of the DHCA, the creation of this data never has, and never should be, the driver’s job or liability. Currently, the association members’ drivers merely deliver the relevant paperwork – the container transport order (CTO) – which is prepared by specialist third parties. And, if incorrect information is entered on the CTO, the truckers are not held liable. “Our problem is that our driver staff are employed for their safe driving skills,” said Martin, “and not as computer clerks with advanced administration skills. “The skills level required for completing a CTO is that of a legal secretary. In other words, extremely accurate – as any mistakes could have serious financial consequences. “Drivers cannot be expected to have this skills level – hence the present system where they only carry the documents, but do not author them.” The easiest and most cost-effective solution, Martin added, would be for all clients of the shipping lines to insist that the releasing depot for the empty container should pre-advise Transnet as to exactly which container has been released against which booking reference number. “And this,” he said, “at time of release, before the shipper loads his cargo into the box. The end result is that no client’s goods should land up going to the wrong vessel/ destination.”