DP World announces landside fee increases from 1 January 2024 01/11/23

DP World Australia (DPWA) has released notices to increase landside fees at each of its terminals in Australia from 1 January 2024.

Following on from the introduction of a calibrated weighing device (Pondus) in Melbourne earlier this year, DPWA’s Sydney and Fremantle customers are advised that the “Weight Mis-declaration Fee for Import Cargo (PONDUS)” is expected to be implemented in the first half of 2024 (date TBC).

A “Weight Mis-declaration Fee” will be applied on laden import units having an absolute weight variance greater than (+/-) one metric tonne compared to declared weight (VGM recorded by the shipping line).

The following Landside Fee Increase Percentage increases have been announced by DPWA, with East Coast terminals being the most affected, while Fremantle Port increase percentages have been capped in terminal leases.

• Terminal Access Charge (TAC): Full Exports – 52.52% increase in Melbourne; 38.80% in Sydney; 37.50% in Brisbane & by 5% in Fremantle
• Terminal Access Charge (TAC): Full Imports – 21.22% increase in Melbourne; 25.49% in Sydney; 26.18% in Brisbane & by 5% in Fremantle

Vehicle Booking System and ancillary charges are increasing by various amounts too, including:

• VBS Slot Fees and full Stack Run Fees (per slot) increase by 49.74% in Fremantle ; by 35.65% in Melbourne, Sydney & Brisbane.
• Energy Charge (per export and import unit) increase by 13.96%
• Vehicle Misdeclaration Fee increase by 23.33%
• Various other charges increasing by percentages ranging from 7% to 9.45%

Industry representatives ; Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) have initiated the following:

• correspondence to DP World executive expressing frustration at having nil engagement on the proposed increases;
• correspondence to various Federal Government Ministers, again requesting a response to the Productivity Commission recommendations as outlined in their review of Australia's Maritime Logistics System with specific reference to the proposed introduction of a Mandatory Code administered by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to oversee / approve any adjustments to landside fees; and 
• engagement with the CTAA to escalate advocacy to relevant State Ministers and the production of a a joint media release.

Although we acknowledge that the price increases are never desired, we have no alternative but to pass them on if they are enforced. If you have any questions, please reach out to your Customer team.