With the departure of OOCL Melbourne from Bell Bay on 4 May this year, the direct discharge of international import containers into Tasmania came to an end. Vessels of the AAA shipping consortium, consisting of MISC, OOCL,Mitsui OSK and PAE, are now making their final southbound call into Melbourne.
The full impact of these changes won’t become fully clear in the short term, with all sectors of the industry having to make informed decisions in regard to the best option for cargo clearance. While some importers may elect to clear their consignments at discharge ports on the mainland, many Tasmanian destined overseas containers will now be covered by underbond movements from interstate on domestic services.
The changes have however already had an impact on Australian Customs and its Frontline program in Tasmania. Frontline is a cooperative program between Customs and industry groups involved in international trade and transport. Since the May change, MISC and Patrick Stevedores, both long-time Frontline members, have relocated their Tasmanian operations to Victoria.
David Read displays his Frontline Program certificate
As a result of these changes Ewan Robertson saw an opportunity to set SeaRoad Shipping up as a Cargo Terminal Operator (CTO) so that we can receive and deliver international cargo to and from our domestic wharf premises in East Devonport. This is a total change of practice for us, having previously acted only as a transit point for containers being moved under Customs control to a section 77 premise off-wharf.
As a result, Shipping is now a fully accredited member of the Frontline program and is handling international cargo for OOCL. Many thanks go to Ewan who, together with David Read, were responsible for the successful accreditation of SeaRoad Shipping. Thanks also to Frank Pomogacs, Gerard van Dijk and Ewan who worked with the client to secure OOCL’s international cargo through our CTO.