Talks with CTAA see 21-day payment period continue during pandemic impact
Containerchain has lengthened its payments leeway by another month, the container logistics platform and Container Transport Alliance Australia (CTAA) say in a joint statement.
In March, Containerchain extended its payment terms to 21 days from 14 for a period of three months to assist Australian container transport operators to manage cash-flows during the unfolding Covid-19 response.
That was due to conclude on May 31.
However, in consultation with Container Transport Alliance Australia (CTAA), Containerchain has agreed to continue to offer the payment terms extension under the end of June.
While import and export containerised trade through the majority of Australia’s container ports is down 6-12 per cent on average compared with last year, full container supply chains have flowed as an “essential service”, and the empty container management chain has continued relatively unimpeded, they note.
Containerchain MD Chris Collins says his firm is “pleased to continue to support the industry during the pandemic response, given continued uncertainty and cash-flow impacts.
“Containerchain too has felt the economic impact of the global downturn in containerised trade, yet we have listened to the container transport sector and will continue the extended payment terms for another month.
“Our focus also now needs to turn to supporting our client empty container park providers, and the container transport sector more broadly, on initiatives to adjust to ‘new normal’ operating practices.
“We must embrace initiatives that will continue to support social distancing measures at empty container parks. Importantly, this includes genuine efforts to promote paperless truck gate entry, improve truck turnaround times, and reduce lingering causes of futile truck trips.
“Containerchain is working closely with CTAA, shipping lines, empty container parks, government departments and other stakeholders, to improve the provision of electronic Delivery Order import de-hire instructions from shipping lines, and export container availability status.
“Having this data is crucial to future efforts to improve truck servicing velocity and reliability within our client empty container parks.”
Read how the Containerchain/CTAA initiative first emerged, here
CTAA director Neil Chambers underlined the importance of comprehensively tackling the issues that still lead to sub-optimal outcomes in empty container management in Australia, and added cost,” Chambers says.
“For too long, the sector has been held back from making operational changes that will boost productivity, improve information visibility and offset rising operational costs.”
“We now have the added responsibility to take practical steps to mitigate the possible spread of Covid-19 over the longer term.
“Boosting paperless gate entry at all empty container parks in Australia must be included in that objective.”
Transport operators requiring assistance or further information should call Containerchain support on 1300 944 083 or email: support@containerchain.com