Talks this week on disposal of empties in Melbourne

AUSTRALIA's provincial Victorian Transport Association (VTA) has welcomed agreement of Shipping Australia Limited (SAL) to join talks on Wednesday on what to do with fast accumulating empty containers in Melbourne.

In January the VTA highlighted the unacceptable levels of truck queuing delays at empty container parks leading to increased land transport costs, reported Sydney-based Transport & Logistics News.

The VTA wants shipping lines to take responsibility for the lack of empty park capacity and to accept that there are systemic problems that must be addressed by all parties in the container transport chain.

"It is good that the shipping lines are willing to explore every avenue with other stakeholders to avoid major congestion at empty container parks in the future," said VTA chief executive Philip Lovel.

The VTA-SAL meeting Wednesday March 10 will include representatives from shipping lines, shippers, transport companies, customs brokers and forwarders as well as empty container park managers and government officials.

The meeting has received support from the Port of Melbourne and Victoria transport department, VicRoads, and the Minister for Roads & Ports Tim Pallas will attend the meeting.

(Source: www.schednet.com)