Stevedoring Services Ltd, operator of Hamilton docks, is changing rules for vehicle importers, to the effect that they will no longer be able to bring mechanics onto the dock to service an imported vehicle.

Effective immediately, importers of self-propelled vehicles will be required to utilise SSL staff for services to vehicles as needed prior to collection from the Hamilton Docks.

Vehicle importers were alerted to the new policy in October.

Warren Jones, chief executive officer of Polaris, parent company of SSL, said: “It will no longer be permissible to bring a mechanic on the dock or carry out any service to a vehicle prior to it leaving the dock.

“These represent billable services which will be carried out by SSL staff going forward.

“It will be permissible to tow a vehicle off the dock without incurring a charge, if an SSL mechanic is not involved.”

The charge for a mechanic in straight time is $47.41 per hour or part thereof and fuel will be charged at the tariff rate of $8.61 per gallon.

SSL also released 2019 tariff rates.