Port trades on efficiency

Business Asia, Sept 21, 1998

Service, reliability and flexibility are strengths that Port Adelaide believes has helped establish its reputation as Australia's most efficient container port.

The general manager of Ports Corp South Australia, Mr Peter Edmonds, said the port's business had been built around these qualities.

"Because we are a small port by international standards, our point of difference is service, reliability and flexibility and the way in which we work hard to accommodate the needs of shipping companies and their agents, and importers and exporters," Mr Edmonds said.

Operated by Ports Corp South Australia, Mr Edmonds said Port Adelaide benefited from new international shipping services, which cater for an increasing range of export and import trade.

"During the past two years we have introduced an unprecedented number of new services --especially with Asia--improved facilities, and have been prepared to negotiate with shipping companies, importers and exporters to ensure we meet their needs and secure their business," he said.

"Our continuing and substantial growth in container trade is attributable to the wider range and greater frequency of shipping services now calling at Port Adelaide," Mr Edmonds said.

There were now more regular shipping services to key Asian trade destinations including China. These helped shipping operators maintain and develop trade volumes.

"South Australia's shippers have tapped market opportunities created by these new improved shipping services, and about 85 per cent of our increase in containerised cargo has come from real growth in South Australian import-export trades with the balance from redirection to Port Adelaide of cargoes previously shipping through other ports."

Mr Edmonds said price reductions of up to 28 per cent also helped increase trade in the Asia-Pacific region.

"These reductions show Ports Corp's determination to win increasing business for South Australia by providing high levels of port services and competitive advantages to the international shipping industry," he said.

"However, Ports Corp recognises that, as with any viable business, it constantly faces the challenge of improving its performance.

"This applies not only to price, but to reliability, consistent performance, productivity and the provision of infrastructure to meet clients' expectations."

Looking towards the future, Mr Edmonds said Ports Corp had established a long-term vision for Port Adelaide, including rationalising the number of inner-harbour general purpose berths.

This would be linked with progressive developments of berths at Outer Harbour.