Toll urges end to "damaging" cycle of peak/off-peak rates

THE Toll Group is calling for improved dialogue between customers, freight forwarders and shipping lines to break the 'damaging' cycle of rate fluctuations during peak and off-peak seasons.

"All of us across the industry have lessons to learn from the events of the last 18 months when the shipping industry was pushed to the brink during the crisis," said Paul Coutts, Toll Global Forwarding's director of Group Products, Marketing and Sales, at the Supply and Demand 2010-2012 New Horizons Conference in Hong Kong.

"Trust needs to be improved between customers, forwarders and shipping lines if we are to have a sustainable industry. This can be achieved with the right processes in place and the right governance," Mr Coutts said at a panel session of senior executives from the Hong Kong Shippers' Council, Maersk Line, Da Chan Bay Port and GHK consulting.

Mr Coutts also said that a more holistic approach to improve efficiency in the supply chain would resolve many issues customers face regarding shipping schedule reliability and delivery integrity, a Toll statement said.

"If you look at the supply chain as a whole there are many areas where we can improve efficiency and reduce costs in shipping. We can learn lessons from the airline industry which has a more integrated approach to forwarders and customers," he added.
(Source:www.schednet.com)