CONTAINERCHAIN has announced a further extension to its three-month extended payment term scheme that was due to end on 31 May.
The payment extensions were announced back in March in order to help Australian container transport operators manage cash-flows during the COVID-19 response.
In consultation with Container Transport Alliance Australia, Containerchain agreed to continue to offer the payment terms extension until the end of June 2020.
Containerchain managing director, Chris Collins, said they were “pleased to continue to support the industry during the pandemic response given continued uncertainty and cash-flow impacts”.
“Containerchain too has felt the economic impact of the global downturn in containerised trade, yet we have listened to the container transport sector and will continue the extended payment terms for another month,” Mr Collins said.
“Our focus also now needs to turn to supporting our client empty container park providers, and the container transport sector more broadly, on initiatives to adjust to ‘new normal’ operating practices,” he said.
“We must embrace initiatives that will continue to support social distancing measures at empty container parks.”
He said Containerchain was working closely with CTAA, shipping lines, empty container parks, government departments and other stakeholders, to improve the provision of electronic delivery order import de-hire instructions from shipping lines, and export container availability status.
CTAA director, Neil Chambers, said it was important to tackle issues that still led to poor outcomes in empty container management.
“For too long, the sector has been held back from making operational changes that will boost productivity, improve information visibility and offset rising operational costs,” Mr Chambers said.
“We now have the added responsibility to take practical steps to mitigate the possible spread of COVID-19 over the longer term,” he said. “Boosting paperless gate entry at all empty container parks in Australia must be included in that objective.”
