Higher wharf charges at Sydney

From September 1, 2007, there will be a A$20.00 per teu (excluding GST) increase on overseas full imports and A$10.00 per teu (excluding (GST) on empty containers. There will be no increase in wharfage on full export containers. The higher rate on empty containers, according to Martin, will bring Sydney into line with other Australian ports.

“The NSW business community has enjoyed significant cost savings on container wharfage for over a decade. Since 1991 the real cost of wharfage has fallen 69% on import containers and 61% on exports. There has been no charge on empty containers since 1999,” he said.

Martin said that additional quayline would be provided as part of the expansion, meaning more container handling capacity at the port. “This is good news for shipping lines who will benefit from the expansion,” he added.