Sydney Ports says truck turnaround times at Port Botany have improved by 30 percent
By Brad Gardner | November 28, 2012
An initiative introduced at Port Botany aimed at improving landside efficiency has been credited for a dramatic improvement in truck turnaround times.
Sydney Ports’ annual report says the Port Botany Landside Improvement Strategy (PBLIS), introduced in 2011 to penalise stevedores and operators for missing time slots, improved turnaround times by 30 percent in its first year of operation.
It says about 95 percent of trucks now arrive in their allotted time, an increase of 23 percent compared to data from a trial in 2009.
“In the first year of PBLIS operation, truck turnaround times improved by 30 per cent, compared to 2009 trial data, to an average of 32 minutes a vehicle,” the annual report says.
“Regulated penalties for slow truck turnarounds and late arrivals, which came into effect in February 2011, together with spreading arrivals to off peak periods, have all helped increase efficiency.”
Sydney Ports commissioned an independent researcher in March to survey trucking operators about their thoughts on the running of Botany since the introduction of PBLIS.
The annual report says 73 percent reported an improvement in truck queuing, with 72 percent saying there was a substantial improvement in the consistency of the supply chain. The annual report says 59 percent reported improvement in business performance.
Sydney Ports says the truck marshalling area has also helped drive efficiencies and reduce congestion by ending trucks queuing in front of terminal gates. The area, which opened in June, has capacity for 50 trucks arriving early for their slots.
“It is a safe, secure around-the-clock facility that includes amenities for truck drivers,” Sydney Ports says.
The report says container volumes at Port Botany increased by 1 percent in the previous financial year, with total full container imports up 1.7 percent. However, full container exports declined 0.8 percent, while Sydney Ports recorded a 28.6 percent decrease in net profit.
Sydney Ports CEO Grant Gilfillan says the corporation’s major capital expenditure program contributed to decline in profit. He says construction of Botany’s second bulk liquids berth is well advanced, while substantial progress has been made on road upgrades to improve access within the port.