ALL TRUCKS carrying full import containers from DP World’s Fremantle terminal must now use a weigh-in-motion system.
The WIM measures axle group weights calibrated to the general vehicle mass (GVM) limits in Western Australia.
Director of Container Transport Alliance Australia, Neil Chambers said the new rules would be active from 29 July.
Mr Chambers said containers leaving the terminal by road will be required to pass through the new weigh-in-motion system prior to exiting the terminal.
DP World will also introduce a Chain of Responsibility (WIM) fee from Thursday 1 August which will be applied to every import container delivered by road from the terminal.
DPW Fremantle has been familiarising truck drivers with the WIM system since 8 July.
A Truck Driver Guide with instructions on how drivers should interact with the WIM system, including entering the WIM, proceeding at a consistent speed of 5 KPH, printing the WIM weight docket at the end of the process, and confirming that they are legal (or not) to carry the axle-group weights indicated by the WIM.
The guide includes instructions on the steps to be taken if the driver believes that the truck exceeds its permitted mass limits based on information provided by the WIM and needs to return to the yard for the “overweight return process” to commence.
Mr Chambers said it was important that drivers know which mass limit regime they are operating under.
“There is anecdotal feedback from DP World that drivers aren’t fully aware of the axle-group mass limits they are allowed to carry – this view has been gleaned during the trialling of the WIM system since the beginning of July,” he said.
“It will be imperative to ensure that drivers are aware of the weights that they can carry legally on the road for the configuration they are driving and the permits under which they are operating.”
The DPW Truck Driver Guide stresses that trucks are to exit the WIM as soon as the data processing has been completed to ensure that truck flows exiting the terminal are not unduly impacted.
CTAA plans to monitor any impacts on truck flows through the WIM system and any consequences for truck turnaround times. Mr Chambers said in other terminals in Australia where WIMs are in force, there is no significant or prolonged negative impact on truck processing times (once drivers are used to the system).
Transport operators will be applying the Chain of Responsibility (WIM) fee for laden import containers leaving the DPW Fremantle Terminal for delivery by road for jobs conducted from this Thursday, 1 August 2024.
That fee is commercial in confidence between the transport operator and their customers, Mr Chambers said.
CTAA Alliance companies in WA are encouraged to provide feedback on the operation of the WIM system so that CTAA can continue to discuss its implementation and any potential refinements with DP World.
