07 Jan ACCC stevedore report indicates challenging landscape
According to the 2023–24 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Container Stevedoring Monitoring Report, global and domestic disruptions have destabilised the container freight supply chain, causing congestion, delays, and soaring costs, which has resulted in some importers having to pay four to 11 times as much for ocean freight as a year earlier.
These findings were ascertained via a 2024 examination of landside charges imposed by stevedores over a period of seven years, as well as enquiries into charges levied by empty-container parks to transport operators, known as notification fees.
The report highlights concerns about limited competition in these charges, resulting in poor outcomes for Australian consumers and businesses.
Although the supply chain had largely recovered from pandemic-related disruptions, it faced new challenges, including Panama Canal restrictions, Red Sea attacks forcing Suez Canal avoidance, and industrial action at DP World terminals, exacerbating market instability.
These issues have led to higher costs, delays, lost sales, cash flow problems and reputational risks for importers and exporters, creating difficult conditions for businesses dependant on the container freight supply chain. These challenges have subsequently impacted consumers and the Australian economy through higher costs and shipping delays, reflecting issues significant enough to potentially warrant policy or regulatory intervention according to ACCC’s Commissioner Anna Brakey.
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