Please be advised of the attached new booking instruction from the Port of Felixstowe. This proposal is going to have a huge impact on the haulage community, with the way we plan our bookings.
CBS Implementation
Please see the below update on the Ports plan for the transition from VBS (vehicle booking system) to CBS (container booking system)
- System changes are currently underway at the Port to enable us to plan our import strategy more dynamically, this in turn will bring improvements to the haulage community regarding wait times within the operational areas.
- Pre-allocation will remain in place, this will be removed as CBS is developed.
- To facilitate this, we will be introducing a LNP (Late notification period) of 12 hours prior to the booking.
- This will require the customer to attach a valid import container (if they wish to collect import units) prior to the 12-hour period.
- Changes before the LNP will be permitted, however if the customer wishes to make adjustments within the 12-hour period charges will be generated.
- Export containers, full or empty – Process remains unchanged (No charges for amendments within the 12-hour period at this time.)
- Shunter Exemption will remain in place. All current charges will still apply.
- To assist the customer with managing these new requirements the Port has set the following timeframes:
- The FPUA will engage with members.
- Jim Hunt and his team will visit multiple customers once the FPUA have engaged.
- Notification/FAQ’s to all customers of the up and coming changes.
- At the next FPUA meeting (Wednesday 3rd of July) the Port will confirm our position and continue to work with our customers.
- Monday 8th of July is the go live date.
- The Port will have visibility of the customers approach and work with them to adjust their processes and assist with any concerns.
- Charges will be implemented from the 1st of October 2024.
Please see below charges/process for charges:
a) VBS No show charge £47.58
b) VBS Guaranteed booking charge £19.19
c) VBS Peak booking charge £2.38 (0400 to 0700 / 1200 to 1900)
d) LNP charge £35.69.
When should the charge apply?
The charge should initially apply to imports only, with the provision to apply to exports at a later date.
Please see the below points that would raise the late notification period charge:
- Cancelling an import or frustrated export collection booking
- Adding an import collection or frustrated export collection within the 12-hour LNP.
- Changing the appointment period for a booking that is within the LNP.
- Returning a booking to the exchange within the LNP should also incur the charge, even if the booking is subsequently used by another haulier. If the booking is not used the no show charge of £47.58 should also apply.
- LNP charge will be applied additionally to the following if applicable:
- Peak period
- Guaranteed bookings
- The system adding a load and go container to the booking should not trigger the charge, but subsequent changes should.
- Further charges to be applied for the Load and Go booking service at a later date (phase 2).
When should the charge not apply?
The charge should not be applied during a flexible arrival period. Applying a flexible arrival period should refund any charges applied for the duration of the flexible arrival period.
Any bookings made within the LNP will incur charges.
Refund/rebates.
No refunds/rebates will be given.
Notifications to haulier.
An email should be sent to the haulier whenever the charge is applied or removed by applying a flexible arrival period.
Monitoring of charges.
The haulier should be able to see how many LNP have been applied via the VBS application.
Pre-allocated bookings.
The above rules will be applied to all pre-allocated bookings. Bookings that do not have valid container details attached to them before the LNP is reached will be grabbed back when the LNP period begins.
We will learn more as we begin to utilise the new CBS. We update further as soon as additional information is available.
Thank you in advance for your co-operation
