FTW's newest
contributor, 'Wharf Rat', gives you the low-down on the freight industry
from a shipper's
perspective.
Your comments are welcome. Email
the editor on
joyo@nowmedia.co.za
MONDAY
Why is Monday a favourite day for lines' reps (sorry, account executives) to come a-knocking at my door? I'm never at my best after a prolonged Sunday braai at Maritime Park and my humour isn't enhanced when every question I ask regarding rates is answered with I'll come back to you which rarely if ever happens in any event. If I ran a liner service or agency I'd make sure the dear girl (they mainly are these days) went into the market place with useful salient information, or not at all. Come back Rod Eaton, all is forgiven; at least he knew how to train staff.
TUESDAY
A morning locked in mortal combat with Pretoria Customs switchboard, trying to establish who is responsible for setting the currency exchange rates used for assessing import duty. Any resemblance between the Customs daily rate and the actual spot for the day in question is of course entirely coincidental and a rough calculation shows me out of pocket to the tune of R7000 on one Bill of Entry alone. Not huge in itself, maybe, but another piece of legalised robbery that's not exactly oiling the wheels of international trading.
WEDNESDAY
My blood pressure rises 20 points in one hour; the reason? Trying to deal with a Conference. So as the Inquisition became the Holy Office, so Cartel became Conference...I wouldn't mind so much if it actually worked which of course it doesn't, being cumbersome, slow and inflexible and those within being the first to draw daggers against their brethren. No wonder myself and other shippers gain great delight in pitting one member against the other! When a Conference sees me coming, they must know it's a last resort.
THURSDAY
To break bread at noon with MUR at a suitably expensive venue, and a few happy hours spent basking in the deference due to someone of my stature and importance in the industry, to say nothing of the ritual slagging-off of my competitors which is so much a part of the shipping lunch. As usual I am reminded just how pleasant are the MUR staff; when one considers their work-load, pressures and responsibilities, it never ceases to amaze me how unruffled and polite they remain. Some people complain of MUR's approach to the shipping market; not I - it is as fair and as firm as the people they employ.
FRIDAY
A morning spent tied to the desk, signing invoices. Again Portnet gets my account into a mess; how is it that an incorrect invoice takes 3 minutes to produce, yet the rectifying credit note takes 3 months? Withholding payment is not an option, of course, so again hard-earned funds are tied up in a system
that is as antiquated as it is arrogant. Maybe I speak too soon; at least Rob Childs is making an effort but I fear that Nolene Lossau and the Shipping Council still have a lot of work to do and this can only be accomplished with our support. Shippers of SA unite - you have nothing to lose but your wharfage!
