Slow container handling noted

Press, 18 April 1978, Page 26

Slow container handling noted

PA Blenheim The big refrigerated container ship Gtldwit takes 10 days to turn-round in New Zealand ports but only four davs in Japan. This was "not very creditable,” a Meat and Wool Board electoral committee ■member, Mr H. J. Stace, told i a Federated Fanners meeting ■at Blenheim on Friday. There were a dozen reasons for New Zealand's slow turn-round of container ships, he told the provincial meat and wool executive. Quoting a producers, boards’ report. Mr Stace said container terminals func- i tioned 14 hours a day, seven, days a week, but were mainly effective for only five! days, as many freezing com-■ panies did not load out at: week-ends. “Containers are not posi-| tioned at the works at the! required time, as Railways; rolling stock is unavailable,” he said.

There was a lack of coordinated programming between container lines in all trades, which led to a bunching of vessels; and equipment and facilities at the

terminals not being used to I the best advantage. • Stringent regulations gov- ! erning the washing and drv|ing of refrigerated containers further slowed shipping movements but these regulations were being revised, said Mr Stace. The repo-t noted that Ministry officers | were not always available to ; inspect containers directly ! after washing — the Ministry has banned overtime but requires all containers to be inspected before 5 p.m. i Other causes of delay l were: I “Slow clearance of southI bound cargo by importers I refusing to accept goods into j their warehouses after 4 pjn., and closing over long I holiday periods. “Southbound full contain- | ers being unpacked at the I container terminals, as the i importer’s warehouse is not a designated off-wharf depot. "Terminal operators' inability to give carriers a definite time when importers’ goods or containers may be uplifted. “Tardy clearance of documents by Customs officials. “Slow work by waterfront labour.”