There’s been plenty happening since our May update. including our work to moderate port fees, work on a stacker and lifter good practice guide, and fact-checking reports of mandating safety helmet wearing from Maritime NZ.
Transporting New Zealand raises vehicle access fees with Commerce Commission & Minister Scott Simpson
Transporting New Zealand met with the Commerce Commission last month to raise member concerns about the rapid escalation in VBS charges and other port tariffs. The Commission also shared guidance about ensuring compliance with competition legislation.
We have made an OIA request seeking the previously unpublished results of a prior Commission investigation into VBS fees, that we will share with members shortly.
We followed this with an August meeting with the Commission’s responsible Minister, Hon Scott Simpson.
The Minister provided an update on Commerce Act changes that could assist with addressing VBS increases, and noted the challenge that long payment terms pose to small and medium businesses (in his capacity as Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister).
As part of the Port & Intermodal Sector Group’s direction to build a port-tariff coalition, Transporting New Zealand will be raising the issue at the 2025 CBAFF Conference, at a supply chain panel featuring other key industry representatives across the supply chain.
Stacker and Lifter Good Practice Guide
Transporting New Zealand has committed $2,800 to the development of a Top Lifter / Reach Stacker / Combi Lifter Good Practice Guide, driven by the Ports and Intermodal Sector Group. The Endowment Committee has also granted up to $2,400 for associated member volunteer travel expenses.
The Sector Group’s intention is to develop the guide, along with an associated NZQA unit standard and OEM equipment certification. The Group intends to work in conjunction with the Container Safety Council and eventually have the Guide endorsed by WorkSafe. Similar to the Sideloader Good Practice Guide TNZ helped to develop in 2023:
Port Health and Safety Leadership Group
Transporting New Zealand will meet with Maritime NZ to discuss the educational tools and guidance programme under development to support the Approved Code of Practice for Loading and Unloading Cargo at Ports and on Ships, and ensure that road freight port users are taken into account.
No mandatory safety helmet direction from Maritime NZ
In response to a member query, Transporting New Zealand has confirmed with Maritime New Zealand that the regulator is not adopting a blanket safety helmet mandate at ports and depots. PCBUs will complete their own risk assessments on facility design and health and safety processes.
Committee hears submissions on Port Inquiry
Last week, Transporting New Zealand appeared before the Inquiry into Ports and Maritime Sector being undertaken by the Transport and Infrastructure Committee.
Speaking after the NZ Cargo Owners Council, TNZ made practical suggestions for regulating escalating port tariffs imposed by Ports despite many of them recording poor productivity
performance. The video is available here.
Please contact billy@transporting.nz with any questions, feedback or other sector news to share.
