This Paper analyses the economic efficiency of the harbour towage industry in Australia. It follows an earlier BTCE Paper which described the structure and operation of the industry. Analysis includes overseas comparisons, a crosssection model of towage charges and a study of industrial agreements. A survey of the harbour towage industry obtained the views of shipping lines, ships' agents, major shippers and port authorities. Extensive discussions were also held with representatives of these groups and other industry participants.

• Harbour Towage: An Analysis of Industry Performance
  
  op_096.pdf
  (5.9 MB)

This paper examines price setting policies and practices of port authorities in Australia. It provides a description of the port industry and an overview of pricing practices, then assesses these practices against various criteria, notably financial balance, economic efficiency and equity. Areas in which an improved outcome might result from the application of economic principles are identified.

• The Pricing of Port Services
  
  op_097.pdf
  (8.21 MB)

This report discusses the effect of Australian flag shipping on the balance of payments (the external account). In preparing the report, the BTCE estimated the 1986–87 contribution to the external account from all Australian shipping operations and evaluated 17 case studies of hypothetical Australian ships in international trades. The case studies were carried out using a ship costing model called BTESHIP and were based on hypothetical new vessels operating with the crew costs and conditions negotiated by the Shipping Reform Task Force (so-called MlDC ships). The case study data were also used to evaluate efficiency in earning foreign exchange with domestic resource cost analysis.

• Australian Shipping and the Balance of Payments
  
  op_099.pdf
  (5.18 MB)

This Paper primarily examines the costs of waterfront unreliability in Australia in 1988 drawing on information provided by shipping companies and on the results of a survey of importers and exporters. It makes no attempt to estimate the extent to which the costs of waterfront unreliability might be reduced or the costs of the measures required to reduce them.

• The Costs of Waterfront Unreliability in 1988
  
  op_101.pdf
  (10.13 MB)

This study examines the risk associated with major oil spills (over 1000 tonnes) in open water anywhere on the Australian coast. This differs from previous work which has focused on the more numerous, smaller spills associated with ship operations in ports and sheltered waters. The study also examines the logistic constraints on providing rapid response along the whole length of the coast.

• Major Marine Oil Spills–Risk and Response
  
  report_070.pdf
  (2.81 MB)

This study updates to 1991, the components of shore based shipping costs included in the Industry Task Force 1986 Shore-Based Shipping Final Report, and BTE Occasional Paper 80, Shore-based Shipping Costs, Non-bulk Cargo. Estimates are presented for the total costs of moving containerised cargo between ships and warehouse.The potential impact on costs of more even cargo flows is examined.

• Shore-Based Shipping Costs of Containerised Cargo: A 1991 Update
  
  ip_036.pdf
  (2.83 MB)

Ports have been a major focus of the Australian Government's reform program. The Waterfront Industry Reform Authority was responsible for reform of the stevedoring industry, completing its work in October 1992.

• Port Interface Cost Index
  
  report_084.pdf
  (2.91 MB)

Although it is widely known that the risk of failure is high in old ships, old bulk ships continue to be used. One reason is that until mid 1992 it was financially viable to maintain an old ship in service rather than dispose of it for demolition. Even though after mid 1992 it did not pay to keep an old ship in service, it was even less attractive to purchase a new ship.

The BTCE's statistical analysis of voyage data identified ship age, flag state, commodity carried and voyage route as important factors influencing the risk of failure. Using this information, the BTCE has developed a technique for predicting the risk of failure of individual ships.

• Structural Failure of Large Bulk Ships
  
  report_085.pdf
  (5.18 MB)

The Bureau study examines the great changes which have been implemented in the stevedoring workforce and in its employment arrangements, the improvements which have occurred in the productivity and reliability of stevedoring services, and estimates the dollar value of the benefits which have been passed to the various categories of users of waterfront services.

• Review of the Waterfront Industry Reform Program
  
  report_091.pdf
  (824.39 KB)

BTCE (1992) Social cost of transport accidents in Australia, Report 79, p. 52, estimated the total cost of rail accidents in 1988 as $94.5 million (in 1988 dollars). The Information Sheet table provides updated estimates, including comparable figures for 1988 and 1993 that are expressed in 1993 dollars.

• Costs of maritime accidents in Australia–1993
  
  is_008.pdf
  (1.32 MB)