FLINDERS Adelaide Container Terminal has announced an increase in its terminal access charge from 1 July next year.
The TAC is, according to FACT, “a necessary offset to operational costs and enables a longer-term recapitalisation of equipment, technology and infrastructure”.
“The reinvestment program ensures the terminal can maintain service delivery and respond to the rapidly changing demands of modern supply chain,” the company said in a statement.
“After three years of CPI only increases from 1 July 2021, the TAC will be increased to $75 ex GST for each full import or export container handled.”
The current TAC is $29.60 per container.
According to FACT, customers are being given six months to prepare for the change.
“To assist customers will have the benefit of payment terms increasing from 30 days to 45 days,” the company stated read.
FACT said it had briefed statutory parties and industry representative bodies such as the South Australian Freight Council, International Forwarders and Customs Brokers Association of Australia, Business SA and the South Australian Road Transport Association.
South Australian Freight Council executive officer Evan Knapp indicated the TAC rise was understandable.
“Given Flinders Ports’ previous commitment to ‘CPI increases only’ on the TAC for three years is about to run out; and the very significant increases in port charges we have seen interstate during that time period, there was always going to be a substantial increase in this fee in 2021/22,” Mr Knapp said.
“SAFC and the Port Adelaide Container Terminal Monitoring Panel have been aware that a re-alignment was coming for some time.
“While SAFC would prefer not to see additional costs added to supply chains, infrastructure owners also need to earn a reasonable rate of return to continue to invest in their facilities,” he said.
“Early notice of the change and expanded payment terms will be appreciated by exporters and the trucking industry.”
