Uncompetitive stevedores come under fire

In its annual report into the industry, the ACCC said demand for stevedoring services had doubled and costs had fallen in real terms.

“In turn, the stevedoring businesses have become more productive and profitable, even during a period when significant expenditure on assets was made,” said ACCC chairman Graeme Samuel.

“However … questions remain about the extent to which the stevedores actually compete to win each other’s business – this is important when we look forward 10 years and consider the high rates of demand that are forecast to continue.”