Hauliers' anger over long delays

One lorry operator claimed that there were delays of more than four hours for drivers waiting to get into Southamp-ton Container Terminals today.

SCT said hauliers were warned last month that there could be delays for the first few weeks of the new year as a result of companies getting rid of empty containers following the busy Christmas period.

A spokesman for one South-ampton haulier, who did want to be named, said: "I have lost business and revenue because of the delays in the docks, the terminal has just taken on too much work.

"One of our drivers arrived at 3.50am and it was nearly 8am when he finally managed to get into SCT.

"Our customers are complaining that, because of deliveries turning up late and while our drivers are waiting in line, we are not getting as much work as we should.''

Another operator, John Compton from Southampton who drives his own vehicle had been waiting in the queue for three and a half hours.

"I still have not got my load and don't know when I shall get it,'' said Mr Compton.

"On Wednesday I waited two and three-quarter hours and then ran out of driving time so I had to pull out of the job and drive home.''

The spokesman for SCT said about 300 trucks arrived in the port between 6am and 8am and 33 straddle carriers were tasked to work on clearing the lorries.

"This happens every year when companies who have stockpiled containers decided to get rid of them all at once,'' said the SCT spokesman.

"For example just one ship, OOCL Shanghai, is leaving today with 1,000 empty container on board as a result of the post-Christmas clear-out.''

The first two of 12 new straddle carriers, which are part of a major investment by SCT, are now in Southampton and should be in operation by the beginning of February with the remaining arriving by the summer.

Last year saw a record levels of business for SCT with more than one million containers being handled in Southampton.