The Cartage contractors have had to commit people, time and systems to making a booking for every container that comes on or off Fergusson Terminal.

Bledisloe Terminal will follow suit early in 2008. 

As always costs are involved in providing this system and the carriers are making a VBS charge for every container booked by the new system.

We will have to on forward this cost which at present will be NZ$10.00 per FCL ex Fergusson wharf.

Ports of Auckland have flagged that they will be levying a charge of $5.00 per booking sometime in the first half of 2008. The transport working party have suggested to them that it would be better to charge this to the shipping line and then have it added to the Port Service Charge. This system would be much simpler and would not entail carriers and yourselves wading through massive invoices for booking fees. This is under discussion with the port company.   

The VBS will make the early receipt of original documents very important as we need to pre clear consignments to get them into the cartage system for bookings to be made.

If you require further information please contact myself or Cathy. 

Thank You,