The Andrews Labor Government is working with the freight and logistics industry to cut costs and improve supply chain efficiencies with the release of the Empty Container Park trial report.
The report showed operating cost savings from paperless and contactless truck arrivals at empty container parks (ECPs), in addition to other benefits such as increased daily truck cycles, improved driver safety and lower emissions.
A reduction in truck-turnaround times of about six minutes translates to an operating cost saving of approximately $13.50 per truck, or an annual operating cost saving of approximately $5.75 million for the Victorian container transport industry as a whole.
The report found moving from low to medium or high automation at an ECP can boost peak truck turnaround time by a massive 32 per cent with similar off-peak time savings.
In early 2022, Freight Victoria established the Container Storage Working Group to address the build-up of full containers in the Port of Melbourne supply chain, recognising the interface between transport operators and empty container parks as a key impediment to efficiency.
Partnering with industry stakeholders, stevedores, transport operators and peak bodies including the Container Transport Alliance Australia (CTAA), the trial established performance indicators for empty containers and evaluated streamlined processes for truck arrivals.
Freight Victoria has now developed a performance measure for truck turnaround times which is included in the latest Voluntary Performance Monitoring Framework dashboard report.
The Department of Transport and Planning will continue to collaborate with industry to develop further performance indicators for the empty container supply chain, with empty container park operators to implement further, including slot availability and other indicators.
As stated by Minister for Ports and Freight Melissa Horne
“The Empty Container Park trial report is a shining example of the collaboration between our government and critical industry leaders to maintain and progress Victoria’s freight advantage.”
“Outcomes of the Container Storage Working Group and the ECP Trial have led to the development of new performance indicators which will provide greater visibility of the performance of the Port of Melbourne supply chain.”
As stated by Container Transport Alliance Australia Director Neil Chambers
“CTAA is delighted to continue to work with the Victorian Government to identify and support improvements in this important transport interface – saving precious time by automating truck arrivals at empty container parks cuts operating costs and increases landside productivity.”
“It’s clear that when electronic information from shipping lines is seamlessly aligned with truck slot bookings and automated recognition of truck arrivals, we can improve truck turnaround times by more than 30 per cent.”
