Overhaul of containerised cargo system needed

11/3/95

Transport Minister Eric Charlton says Australia's containerised cargo system needs overhauling, with the aim of standardising the size of sea containers and cargo pallets to international dimensions.

He said size differences between Australian and overseas containers and pallets were proving an impediment to finding efficient alternative national freight options as a counter measure to the Transline flooding.

Last week, the Commonwealth assisted the State Government in getting transcontinental containerised freight loaded on to foreign flag vessels for shipment around the coast.

However, because Australian domestic containers were larger compared to overseas containers, they would not fit on the decks of container ships.

"It is a situation where just a few inches is reducing the efficiency of this operation and impacting on our international competitiveness," Mr Charlton said.

"Australian freight pallets cannot be stowed side by side in international containers because of their size, which is an inhibiting factor in persuading domestic distribution and transport companies to use overseas containers for local movements.

"The International Standards Organisation (ISO) has set specific measurements for both the 20-foot and 40-foot containers - they must be eight foot wide and eight foot high.

"Australian-made containers are an extra two and a half inches wide, which means they cannot be stacked on the decks of container vessels which are specifically designed to meet the eight foot loading criteria.

"It is a situation that dates back to the Second World War when Australia produced a pallet and container that were compatible to the nation's needs of the time, but which do not have a place in today's modern international freight system."

Mr Charlton said while the export industry was slowly changing to international-sized containers, efforts should be made to hasten the trend.

He said the issue of pallets was far more complex because Australian pallets were used extensively throughout the nation and there were obvious flow-on investments.

The Minister said he has raised the issue at Federal level, urging authorities to implement an incentive system and a timeline for the changeover to take place.

Media contact:  Dean Roberts 321 7333 or 222 9595