SHIPPERS and freight handlers have cautiously welcomed involvement by the Australian Consumer and Competition Corporation (ACCC) in arrangements for the Port of Melbourne (PoM).
The Tasmanian Government has urged the ACCC look at both proposed rent hikes and the possible sale of the port.
Sea Road Shipping operates one of the regular Bass Strait services and managing director Michael Easy said the ACCC might have a place in resolving concerns.
"It depends on whether their brief is more about anti-competitiveness – they may have a place," Mr Easy said.
"The big issue we are talking about is the major Australian port coming under private ownership – there is a lot of uncertainty and unknowns as to the parameters around that."
The port was very much under the microscope, not only until the sale or lease took place but afterwards as well, he said.
Tasmanian Logistics Committee chairman Steve Henty said the state should be "inside the tent" when it came to negotiations.
"The PoM doesn't just serve as the port of Victoria; it's the gateway for Tasmania to access the rest of Australia and the rest of the world," Mr Henty said.
"It is a monopoly port for Tasmania.
"Moving elsewhere just doesn't work for our fresh produce and perishable goods, particularly as that market is expanding and growing."
Oversight rather than regulation was required, he said.
Mr Henty downplayed the proposed rental hikes by the PoM.
"It is my belief they will come to an arrangement which will represent a more realistic port rental fee," he said.
"I don't think it is as big an issue as people are making out."
Mr Easy said the rent issues were as much about new players wanting space at the port as increasing charges on current stevedores.
"It's driven not so much by the market but the cost of buying into the market and I am not sure whether that has been recognised as adequately as it should."
He said any steep rent hikes would have to be passed on.
"The issue is the industry cannot and will not bear such significant increases so they have to be passed on," Mr Easy said.
"Whether the increases are a smaller amount, the same amount or a even a larger amount, ultimately business is going to have to wear it."
He called for greater certainty over rental charges at the port.
"If this is going to be something that happens on a more regular basis then I think it's going to have a dramatic effect on industry inbound and outbound from Melbourne.
"Consequently, I think Tasmania is going to wear a significant brunt of that."