GrainGrowers is backing the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) calls for urgent government policy reform to address skyrocketing port charges imposed by the nation’s stevedores.
Following the release of the ACCC’s 2024-25 Container Stevedore Monitoring Report released this morning, GrainGrowers General Manager Policy and Advocacy Zach Whale said Australian grain growers had been facing mounting port charges for years, while stevedores continued to post record profits.
“A well-functioning maritime logistics network is critical for an export-oriented sector like grains but it’s clear the current system is failing the thousands of growers operating small businesses across Australia,” Mr Whale said.
“These charges have not only dramatically increased costs for Australian growers, they have impacted Australia’s competitiveness and reputation globally.
“Government intervention is long overdue and steps must be taken before high costs and
delays at ports inflict long-term damage on vital export industries.”
The ACCC report highlights concerning trends in stevedoring practices, including:
- Stevedores have collected $3.19 billion in terminal access charges since 2017–18,
2.5 times more than their aggregate investment over the same period ($1.25
billion). - Stevedores appear to face limited countervailing power in raising landside charges,
with patterns inconsistent with competitive market pricing. - Transport operators and cargo owners have no ability to negotiate or influence
landside charges, creating a structural imbalance.
The ACCC has raised concerns these factors are indicative of an ‘apparent market failure’ in the stevedoring industry.
GrainGrowers urges the government to act swiftly to restore fairness and efficiency in
Australia’s port system and safeguard the competitiveness of our export industries.
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