Conventional terminal services agreement

Westport has introduced an innovative conventional terminal service agreement that integrates the entire cargo handling operations, including stevedoring and other shipboard services under a single management structure and offering a single pricing.

The head of Conventional Operations at Westport, Francis Aurol informed that the conventional terminal service arrangement incorporates Westport's Complete Service Scheme which includes handling, stevedoring, transportation and other ancillary services required during the vessel call at Westport Conventional terminals. 

"The new arrangement involves extra work for the port but we are willing to take the responsibility to ensure smooth flow of conventional cargo via Westport," he said.

Aurol said the new service agreement was expected to take the conventional terminal to greater heights of productivity in the near future. 

"We expect more conventional operators to sign such arrangement with us," he said. 

According to Aurol, Westport had a pilot run on this arrangement with the Tasman Orient Line of New Zealand which was happy with the services offered. 

"After 12 trial calls they have decided to sign the agreement with Westport," he added.

Meanwhile the Deputy Chief Executive Officer & Line Manger - South-East Asia Service, Richard Kendall who was in Westport for the signing of the agreement said the scheme had substantially increase the line's productivity and consequently reduced vessel turnaround time. 

"The agreement ensures that the terminal cost is transparent and clearly defined," he said.

"We have worked closely with Westport since April and I must say that Westport provided professional and competent services. They planned and executed the operations without compromising the safety standards and procedures," said Kendall.

The Managing Director of Ben Line Agencies (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Simon P.Whitelaw said as the local agent for the TOL he found TOL's terminal agreement very transparent. 

"With such arrangement we entrust Westport to meet the needs of our principal and allow us to concentrate and intensify our marketing effort to attract more cargo. 

In the direct conventional service to Westport, TOL has deployed four 25,000 dwt multipurpose-geared vessels linking Port Klang to the South East Asia-New Zealand/Pacific Island region. 

The forthnightly service from Westport with 56-day round voyage calls Suva in Fiji, Noumea in New Caledonia and New Zealand ports of Auckland, Wellington, Lyttelton, Port Chalmers, Bluff and Tauranga. 

The line also accepts cargo to Lautoka (in Fiji), Christchurch and Palmerston North in New Zealand from South East Asia, which also includes a monthly call at Ho Chi Minh.

TOL emerged after the merger of Tasman Asia Shipping and the NZ Orient Line and has become the principal regional multi-purpose liner shipping operator in the Asia-Pacific Island-NZ Trade, calling directly at Asian ports spanning from Indonesia to Japan. 

"Our strength lies in its relatively stable northbound breakbulk cargo and unique direct calls at Suva and Noumea Southbound from South East Asia," said Kendall.