Spoornet service level agreements move forward

ALAN PEAT AFTER A hitch in negotiations caused by the death of the business manager at Spoornet who was handling the issue of service level agreements, communication between the railways and the Container Rail Operators’ Forum (Crof) has been re-established, according to MSC Logistics director Peter Lewin, chairman of the forum. The railways’ role is now being filled by Roy Clark, said Lewin, “and he’s very positive about both the sectoral and service level agreements that we have been discussing. “He also fully supports the idea that Spoornet must come to the party, and accept responsibility for the service levels delivered to its customers.” The latest plan is that there should be a sectoral agreement – a general document of intent signed by both Spoornet as the service provider and the intermodal industry represented by Crof. A second issue pertains to service level agreements with the individual rail operators – which Lewin hopes will become an annexure to the rail contracts, and will form part of the conditions of carriage. “To date,” he said, “these have been very one-sided affairs, with Spoornet not responsible for any costs other than damage to the cargo. “But once again at Crof we are very happy with our latest collaboration with Spoornet, and we are still seeing positive steps being taken because of our good communication level with them.” Next on the agenda is a follow-up meeting planned for mid-September – where Crof’s executive committee expects to meet with a group of senior Spoornet management, including CE Siyabonga Gama, to take the matter further.