Local News

One rate for all boxes
Source from Malaysian Daily Newspaper "The Stars" on Monday 21st August 2006 - Maritime Section

Container haulage companies in Port Klang, Malaysia, are likely to introduce one rate for both 20-footer and 40-footer boxes starting October 2006. They are expected to charge MYR333 for both the boxes for a distance between Port Klang to Shah Alam. Currently, the companies collect MYR222 for a 20-footer and MYR444 for a 40-footer for the same distance. The move is expected to even out the huge gap in the haulage fees charged for the two box sizes, which are similar in their operational cost. The new development comes four months after the liberalisation of container haulage tariff which was fixed for over 30 years by the Malaysia Government. Association of Malaysian Hauliers president Shalimin Shaffie confirmed that they were in discussion on the matter and they would be referring the suggestion to the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (CVLB) for advice today. Several haulage operators, when contacted, have welcomed the proposal, because they would be able to calculate and manage their overhead cost of their fleet more efficiently. According to a haulage manager, the haulage industry operates on a free market basis now and owing to this the soon-to-be standardised rates will only act as a guideline. Another operator said the one-rate guideline was currently practiced in Singapore, Indonesia and Europe. On July 31, The Star Maritime reported that all container haulage operators will be united under one association following the merger of Container Hauliers Association Malaysia (CHAM) and AMH. Both CHAM and AMH have come up with the proposed name for the new association – Malaysian Hauliers Association (MAHA)