HPH has established bases in Brisbane and Sydney and is attempting to gain access to the stevedoring market in Melbourne, and Dr Meredith says the company feels there is room for new operations, expanded facilities and new technology.
He acknowledged that the competitive position was made complex for incumbents but equally so for a new stevedore, due to the prevalence of “pan Australia” contracts with shipping lines. These cover operations across the whole of Australia, with stevedores packaging their services on the premise of working for carriers in several ports.
“That makes it difficult for incumbents to handle new people coming in. It also makes it very difficult for new people coming in to take on incumbents. This is unique – we haven’t had this anywhere else in the world,” he said.
However the fear of losing market share to the new rival had spurred-on stevedoring companies to make some significant technology changes in Australian ports, he added.