Shipping lines more receptive to terminal dialogue

The operator’s group commercial manager told the TOC Container Supply Chain event that there is now an “increased willingness” to accept that you can’t just push a terminal to do 6,000 moves in 24 hours without effort from their side.

“I see in the negotiation of contracts that they are willing to consider SMA levels and even incentives to produce higher productivity and that they are willing to engage in this dialogue,” he said. “That’s a positive step in the right direction. Future planning has to be based on a dialogue between us and the shipping line.”

“You have to listen to the end customer as a port authority. Putting in just the infrastructure is not enough,” added Joyce Bliek, director containers and breakbulk, Port of Rotterdam Authority. “We have to fight for every ton of cargo.”