Updating the National Voluntary Guidelines for Landside Stevedore Charges

In October 2026, Australia’s transport ministers approved the updated National Voluntary Guidelines for Landside Stevedore and Empty Container Park Charges.

The updated Guidelines will commence on 1 January 2027 and will apply to empty container park operators as well as stevedore operators.

Stevedores and empty container park operators that choose to adopt the Guidelines should issue a Notice of Intention (NOI) to their relevant state transport agency and publish it on their website by 2 November 2026, in line with the notification and consultation requirements in the Guidelines. 

The updated Guidelines are available on the National Voluntary Guidelines for Landside Stevedore and Empty Container Park Charges page.

 

The NTC reviewed and updated the National Voluntary Guidelines for Landside Stevedore Charges at the request of Australia’s transport ministers, who directed the NTC to align the Guidelines with Victoria’s Voluntary Pricing Protocol for stevedore and empty container park landside charges.

The review considered changes to improve the transparency, predictability and consistency of landside pricing arrangement.

The NTC undertook public consultation in February and March 2026 on proposed updates to the Guidelines. Following consultation with governments and stakeholders across the containerised freight supply chain, the NTC finalised the updated guidelines for consideration by transport ministers.

Transport ministers approved the updated National Voluntary Guidelines for Landside Stevedore and Empty Container Park Charges in October 2026, with the Guidelines to start on 1 January 2027.