Loading delays lead to anger at Southampton
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• by Guy Sheppard Container deliveries at Southampton docks could be disrupted by industrial action because of delays in loading and unloading trucks, a haulier has warned.
Richard Cresswall, who operates three trucks out of the city, says hauliers are "absolutely sick to the back teeth" with the service being provided by Southampton Container Terminals.
"We are losing at least one job per truck every week because of the delays," he explains, "and I don't think that is acceptable.
"I think there could well be a situation like there was in Dublin where all drivers wont on strike for better turn-around times," he concludes.
At least 60 hauliers were involved in the Dublin dispute which was resolved last month (CM25-31 May).
Mike Mallon, managing director of MTS Transport in Southampton, says his fleet of 10 trucks is being kept waiting by up to six hours because of handling delays.
"They tell us the turnaround time is 30 minutes on average but I would say it is three hours," he reports.
ST expects its workload to increase by nearly 20% this year but two more cranes and eight more straddle carriers
are on order. Development manager Derek Smith says meetings with the Road Haulage Association have been held to ensure handling times are acceptable: "The basis of these discussions has been on spreading the workload throughout the 24-hour day. SCT is unique in being open 24 hours a day, seven days a week."
He adds that the company, a joint venture between Associated British Ports and P&O Ports, is not prepared to take on extra staff "just to wait for things to happen".
RHA area manager Steve Ellis says SOT recognised they had problems at a meeting two months ago.