Reputable operators launch campaign to clean up the industry
Alan Peat
REPUTABLE DURBAN truckers have launched a campaign against the disreputable, intending to put those members who are continually guilty of gross overloading off the roads.
That's according to Paul Rayner, chairman of the Durban harbour carriers division of the SA Association of Freight Forwarders (SAAFF), who says certain of its members are "deliberately and knowingly" operating overloaded vehicles out of the container terminal.
Rayner highlighted Clause 3 of the association's code of ethical conduct which condemns any illegal or unethical business, or any which reflects on the "professional standing" of the association.
Any member found contravening this, said Rayner, could be struck off the books.
For them, and other independents (a lot of them "overnight wonders") in the overloading brigade, Rayner points to a "co-operative" relationship between the association and the Durban Metro Police and provincial Road Traffic Inspectorate.
It's not aimed at truckers who get caught for the technical offences Ð overloaded axle groups, uneven load distribution, incorrect declaration of the weight et al.
It's a hit at the "gross overloaders" Ð truckers like those sticking 27-ton (and more), 20-foot boxes on standard, double-axle skeletal trailers with a payload limit of 22-t.
And Metro is about to start supplying the harbour carriers body with a monthly list of those caught for gross overloading on the terminal road weighbridge.
Rayner also warns clearing agents: "Remember, under pending legislation, consignors and consignees will be held co-responsible in cases of overloading." And, like dangerous goods transportation, the clearing agent "offers the goods for transportation" and is, therefore, the consignor.
"They must make sure their nominated carriers are playing by the rules," said Rayner.
