The objectives of this study were to review developments in world container shipping and establish the main trends in the deep sea trades. This will in turn provide background to the BTE's own studies of liner shipping and the review of shipping policy now taking place in Australia. Having established the trends in individual sectors using established material, the attempt has been made to draw the threads together, to offer interpretations of the scale and dynamics of the process of transition now taking place within the industry, and to consider the nature of the important issues now facing it.

• Container Shipping in Transition
  
  op_077.pdf
  (5.9 MB)

This study analyses the efficiency of the Australian liner shipping industry by using the recently developed theory of contestable markets. Its importance is reflected in the fact that over half of Australia's ocean borne trade is carried by the liner sector. Its topicality flows from both the global issues of legislative initiatives, increased political interference, technological and organisational changes and overtonnaging and from the singularly Australian concerns of service dependability, shore-based costs, trade union influence, the attitudes of shippers and the role of the ANL.

• Contestability and the Australian Liner Trades
  
  op_078.pdf
  (8.88 MB)

In July 1984, the Federal Bureau of Transport Economics organised a seminar to enable the problems of the shore-based shipping industry to be discussed by its senior representatives. The seminar delegates agreed that there was a need for a review of shore-based shipping operations and subsequently the Federal Minister for Transport, the Hon. Peter Morris MHR, established an Industry Task Force on Shore-based Shipping Costs which reported in June 1986. The Bureau provided research support to the Task Force, and this Paper is based on the results of that research and some further analysis.

• Shore-Based Shipping Costs, Non-Bulk Cargo
  
  op_080.pdf
  (13.99 MB)

In many of its analyses involving shipping, the Bureau of Transport Economics has been required to estimate costs associated with owning and operating vessels of various types. This Paper presents a model for estimating long-run average ship costs that was developed by the Bureau for this purpose. The model has been developed as a computer program (BTESHIP) to enable ship costs to be evaluated quickly and conveniently. However, to use the model effectively it is necessary to have an understanding of the principles involved in estimating ship costs. This Paper contains a discussion of the nature of ship costs and their estimation, as well as a user's manual which documents the structure and operation of the program.

• A Model for Estimating Cargo Ship Costs; BTCESHIP
  
  op_083.pdf
  (6.83 MB)

This Paper discusses the current situation and problems of Australian Port Authorities, particularly in the light of the limited amount of competition imposed by the economies of scale inherent in modern cargo-handling technologies, whether for bulk cargoes or for containers.

• Port Authorities in Australia
  
  op_084.pdf
  (5.62 MB)

In December 1986, the Australian Transport Advisory Council (ATAC) sought the assistance of the Bureau of Transport Economics in undertaking a review of transport research in Australia. The aims of the resulting study carried out by the Bureau were to identify the nature and extent of current Australian transport research, to assess priority areas for future research and to address coordination issues pertinent to delivery of an effective research effort. Following consideration at the December 1987 meeting of ATAC the results of the review are to be used as a basis for discussion at a seminar on transport research to be convened early in 1988.

• Shore-Based Shipping Costs: Transport and Handling of Bulk Cargo
  
  ip_026.pdf
  (3.74 MB)

This Paper examines the structure and operation of the harbour towage industry in Australia. The results of previous studies are outlined and the characteristics of harbour towage operations are described. Participants affecting the operation of the industry are port authorities, pilots, towage operators, tug crews, shipping lines, shipping agents and shippers.

• Harbour Towage Services in Australian Ports
  
  ip_027.pdf
  (3.64 MB)

In this study the waterfront is defined as consisting of various service establishments involved in the handling of cargo at Australian ports. These include port-related services provided by port authorities, pilotage services, tugboat operations, all stevedoring services and container terminal operations, bulk terminals, customs agency services and the services of the customs and quarantine authorities. The definition also covers bulk storage and container depots even though these operations may occur away from the actual waterfront.

• Economic Significance of the Waterfront
  
  ip_029.pdf
  (4.2 MB)

The Paper presents an analysis of the changes in the size and distribution of the world fleet over the period 1970 to 1987. A comparison of the world fleet and bulk ships visiting Australia in 1985–86 is also presented. Also included is a forecast of the future size and distribution of the world fleet under a range of assumptions. Australia's export of major bulk commodities in terms of volume (coal, iron ore and grains) is dependent on the services provided by the world dry bulk fleet. This Paper provides an analysis of the supply characteristics of these ships.

• Characteristics and Cost Structure of the Bulk Shipping Fleet
  
  op_093.pdf
  (12.84 MB)

Changes in the markets for Australia's refrigerated exports have created pressures on cargo facilities on ships and at ports. This demand has led some exporters to express concern at the difficulties in obtaining sufficient cargo space, particularly during the peak season. This Paper aims to provide an overview of the seaborne export of refrigerated goods, identify whether problems exist and their magnitudes, and explore possible future directions for change.

• Shortages in Refrigerated Shipping
  
  op_094.pdf
  (6.03 MB)