Port ‘musical chairs’ hurts shippers

Speaking at the TOC Container Supply Chain event in London this week, Neville Scowen, overseas transport manager at International Paper, called on the industry to “fortify” each link of the supply chain, including ports and terminals, to improve shipper relations.

He complained that terminals and shipping lines have forgotten who their customer is. “The fact is that the freight payer is the customer – that does not change when the ship sails. Sadly this is often forgotten.”

A lack of communication and inadequate education is exacerbating the matter. “The focus should be on improving service, based on better communications,” he said, adding that a lack of education has “caused frustration in our industry”.

Mr Scowen also questioned whether the arrival of mega ships will force a change in mindset when it comes to port charges.

“With the introduction of 18,000 teu vessels, total load and discharge will become even longer; the reality is that some vessels will likely be in port for five days. This begs the question will a shipping line or a terminal review when the clock starts ticking for quay rent, detention or demurrage freetime, based on when my cargo is actually available to me?”