Machinery slow to move across the docks

Freight forwarders handling heavy machinery for mining and civil industries are warning of continued delays to services. CMX Global organises heavy vehicle movements, among others, around the world and global account manager, Brisbane-based Kira Seeley says the business is still not back to pre-pandemic levels. Related: Second-hand machinery demand soars Ms Seeley says they also have their hands full with quarantine issues. She says both new and old threats are slowing the process of getting equipment across the docks. “Washing has been in place for quite some time now, but our stinkbug season seems to be extending every year, which means that we have to fumigate and treat machinery overseas. “That's been difficult during COVID as well, mainly due to labour, which has then had the flow on effect of ports and associated services (such as fumigation) not running at full capacity. “And then the latest, … is a new bug called the Khapra beetle, and quarantine has had their hands pretty full for the last four or five months chasing that beetle around. “Although this threat is not directly impacting the movement of heavy machinery at the moment, it does mean that Australian Quarantine officers are stretched to cover and inspect all high risk shipments, whether they be subject to BMSB, Khapra beetle or washing requirements.” Ms Seeley says there has also been an increase in freight prices when compared to pre pandemic levels. CMX Global account manager Kira Seeley. “Container liner services have increased in cost exponentially with some trade routes costing shippers between two to three times what they would have paid prior to the start of the pandemic. “And then to add further to the financial strain currently being placed on shippers, in Sydney there has been congestion issues with empty containers. Most shipping lines introduced a congestion surcharge which was passed to importers. “In some cases this surcharge is as high as $900 USD for a 40-foot container.” Pushing for a single desk The industry would benefit from a Single Window Desk, says CMX Global projects manager Adrian Peterson. Mr Peterson says the one-stop-shop concept has been around for a long time. “But as a facilitator of trade in and out of the country, the bureaucracy and the level of departments we have to go through for a single clearance is quite laborious,” Mr Peterson says. “And I think a Single Window Desk would be the opportune time to streamline and remove red tape from industry. “It depends on actual type of cargo and shipment, but you're probably talking to half a dozen (government agencies) at any one stage on different matters. “It's not just customs and quarantine, it can be arranged by other areas you might touch on. “But certainly, just from a simplistic point of view, a good starting point would be Department of Ag and Australian Border Force having a single window.” The Department of Agriculture describes Khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium) as Australia’s number two national priority plant pest and the number one plant priority pest for grains. The department says the beetle is not present in Australia, but it is a highly invasive pest that poses a major threat to Australia’s grains industry.

Machinery slow to move across the docks

Industry Queensland

Related News

Trophy honour as gold mine heads for finish line

Citigold answers ASX queries on finances and project status

‘Coal not dead’, deserves support says McDonald

Get access to breaking mining news, now.