ersey subs rate rise
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by Rob Willock • Mersey Docks St Harbour subsidiary Coastal Container Line is putting its Liverpool subcontractors' rates up by 7% from 1 March in the face of criticism that it is not supporting local hauliers.
Doug Chadwick of Ilalewood-based haulier DT&P Chadwick claims that no Merseyside subcon tractor can justify becoming involved in container transport at current rates.
He echoes the feelings of the Teesport P&O subcontractors who spoke out about "subsistence" rates in container transport (CM 11-17 Dec 1997). Chadwick argues that calculating rates on mileage is out of the ark: "All transport operations must be based on vehicle utilisation and associated charges accurately reflecting time and mileage," he says.
Coastal has recently brought much of its transport operation in-house after claiming its subcontractors proved unable to offer a competitive just-in-time service.
"They wanted too much money," says Coastal's group logistics manager Duncan Beaumont.
Chadwick says that Coastal has been arrogant in claiming that Merseyside container hauliers have been unable to meet its needs and bringing transport in-house, while simultaneously complaining about a recent decline in the number of container hauliers. He is cautious about welcoming the 7% offer and questions what the new quoted rate is.
Beaumont is tight-lipped but says the company pays its subcontractors every seven days "which aids their cashflow".