VICTORIA International Container Terminal is removing its temporary $3.97 per-container COVID recovery tariff as of 1 October.
In an industry notice, the company said it would remove its current daily rapid antigen testing requirements for employees, contractors and visitors from 1 October, and therefore the company will be in a position to remove the tariff.
“We would like to extend our thanks to our employees, contractors and visitors who prescribed to our testing protocols in an effort to maintain continuity of service while infections rates remained high,” VICT’s industry notice said.
“VICT fully supports the Victorian Department of Transport Voluntary Pricing for Stevedore Landside Charges but as this is a temporary charge that we are removing, we feel that the 60 and 30 day notices are not required in this case.”
Container Transport Alliance director Neil Chambers welcomed the announcement.
“The fee would have netted VICT over $1.3 million annually,” he said.
“VICT is the only container terminal in Australia which was recovering its COVID compliance costs in this way, and CTAA has been calling for the removal of the fee for some time given the changed COVID public health orders and protocols.”
