Please remind all clients of the below, over the coming months we will see the same introduced at other ports / terminals within Australia including Melbourne.
The maximum container weight permitted for road transport from Sydney and within New South Wales is currently is 25.5 tons per 20’ and 27.5 tonnes per 40’, including container tare.
This is subject to trailer specifications. The weight must also be evenly distributed within the container.
Now all import containers must now pass over a weigh bridge located within the port precincts. (DPW Terminal & Patrick Terminal)
In the event that a loaded truck is found to exceed the legal gross and/or axle mass limits, the following procedure applies:
Mass breaches of legal weight limit up to 20%-
1- The driver will be directed to one of six CONTAINER FREIGHT STATIONS ( CFS ) located within the port.
2- The Customer will need to make arrangements directly with the CFS to adjust the weight. All costs billed by the CFS will be for the consignee’s account.
Mass breaches of legal weight limit over 20%-
1. A truck with an overweight single container will be grounded.
2. The driver will then be charged by the terminal a CARRIER NON SERVICE penalty together with any storage charges
3. The container can either be rebooked on a suitable trailer or directed to an Intermodal terminal by rail. This will incur extra handling and storage charges. All costs as billed by
the terminal will be for the consignee’s account.
These diversions could cost upwards of AUD$1000 or higher depending on the commodity.
Consignees should ensure their shippers overseas comply with the official weight limits, observing that the manifested weights on bills of lading accurately reflect the actual payloads.