In Search of an Author
Page 59
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pROGRESS in some directions can be reported when the second conference on the subject of delays to road vehicles calling at the docks is held in London at the end of the month. At. least the port operation panels, the port users' committees and other similar bodies have been stirred sufficiently to take note of the problem. The reaction in some cases has been that the complaints are exaggerated and that some delays are inevitable, but in general a real effort has been made to find the root of the trouble.
There will soon be no lack of up-to-date official. or semi-official, literature on the problems at the ports. The report is still awaited of the committee of inquiry, under the chairmanship of Mr. Justice Devlin, into the working of the dock labour scheme. The latest report from the British Productivity Council, on the subject of freight handling, has a chapter on the docks which makes a gallant, if unavailing, attempt to cover the whole field.
Less ambitious, and on the whole, therefore, more successful, is the approach of the Ports Efficiency Committee of the Ministry of Transport. The Committee were appointed in March, 1952, with wide terms of reference, they were to investigate the working of the ports, and to secure the co-operation of all the interests concerned, including shipping and inland transport authorities, in speeding the flow of inward and outward cargo. They were also to report from time to time.
Up to this month, the Committee had made two reports, the second in August, 1952. They continued in being, in a somewhat desultory fashion, rather like the characters in the play in search of an author. They may have welcomed the opportunity for renewed activity provided by a letter from the Road Haulage Association conveying the desire of the organizations at the conference on dock delays held last September that the local port operation panels, which are responsible nationally to the Ports Efficiency Committee, should be shaken into action.
Forceful Remarks
The Committee went farther. They had also received a copy of the report by the London Chamber of Commerce on the working of the London docks, and had noted that, after some forceful remarks on the labour situation, the report had drawn attention to some of the difficulties facing transport operators. The Committee have found sufficient reason for looking into these difficulties and making their own report.
They are well aware that the problem is complicated, and have deliberately restricted themselves to the single issue of what happens to road vehicles within the docks. Even the closely allied issue of road access to the ports is left outside this particular survey.
A single point cannot, of course, be considered in isolation. Other difficulties insist on making their presence felt, although the Committee do their best to keep them in the background. The problem of clearing road vehicles, they point out, is governed by the speed with whicli cargo can be received into the docks, and this in turn is governed by d whole string of factors. The Committee name some of therm the supply and mobilization of labour, the conditions of work, the assembling, sorting and clearing of cargo through sheds. and the loading and stowing in the ships in the order necessary
for the trim of the ship and for rotation of discharging ports.
An even flow can be achieved, say the Committee, only by the co-operation of all parties concerned and by dovetailing the various operations in an orderly manner. In accordance with this principle, recommendations are made towards the end of the report for the introduction of regulatory schemes. These would ensure that all persons responsible for the handling of traffic are kept informed from day to day of the cargo expected to arrive. Dates for the reception of cargo should be staggered, so that the goods to be loaded first arrive at the beginning of the reception period, and are followed by goods to be loaded later. The schemes would aim to avoid the unnecessary peaks at the end of a receiving period.
Other Proposals
The Committee have other proposals. They would like the available shed accommodation to be increased. It may not always be physically possible or economically justifiable to build, bigger sheds—which presents a simple way out of the difficulty—but often the layout of existing sheds and working methods can be improved to give very much the same result. The number of vehicles waiting in the dock areas can be reduced if hauliers agree to set up and make use of depots where small consignments of export goods can be bulked, • The report notes that B.R.S. (Parcels), Ltd., already have such a depot in London, and suggests that independent hauliers, as well as the general services of B.R.S., should follow the example. The Port of London Authority have, in fact, themselves provided depots at the Royal Docks and India and Millwall Docks for the reception of small consignments up to a total weight of 20 cwt. For a charge ranging from 5s. to 10s., the P.L.A. sort the ,consignments to ships and destination ports, and transfer them to the loading berth in time for shipment.
This facility was fairly well publicized when it began. but, if the Committee are to be believed, it is by no means widely known either among drivers or their employers.
Of Dubious Value
One recommendation in the report is perhaps of dubious value. The Committee feel that the problem would be eased by a more extensive use of rail transport for export goods. This may have the effect of annoying many shippers who might otherwise be disposed to give the Committee their unqualified support. The trader is often jealous (and events have given him some cause) of the right to choose the form of transport he prefers. He does not relish being told that his road transport problem can be solved by the use of rail.
The Committee's recommendations may usefully form the subject of discussion at this month's conference. They are backed by concentrated information and statistics ' about the five ports with which the report specifically deals. Its publication is opportune, and it may help considerably towards enabling the conference to take a further step forward. The problem of dock delays is a long way from being solved, but at least there is some possibility that a solution will be found.