Australia's competition watchdog has warned that government intervention may be needed to curb record high terminal access charges at the nation's ports, reports London's S&P Global.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said in its latest monitoring report that stevedores are charging more per container than at any time in 27 years of oversight, despite spare port capacity and stable costs. The commission said policy or regulatory changes may be required to address market failures and protect households and businesses.

The ACCC plans to discuss its findings with federal officials early next year. Tom Jensen, general manager of the Freight & Trade Alliance, said the report confirmed industry warnings that stevedores are raising prices while productivity stagnates. He added that the regulator has identified the problem and now government must act.

The report showed operators earned operating profits of US38 million (A$809 million) in 2024-25, up 131 per cent in five years, with margins at a record 34.8 per cent. Terminal access charges reached $426 million in the same year and more than $2 billion since 2017-18, 2.5 times total investment by operators.

Mr Jensen said the figures prove fees are being used as a profit lever rather than cost recovery. The ACCC noted shippers and cargo owners have little choice but to pay, creating likely market failure and harming businesses and consumers.

The report did not include the latest increases in terminal access and empty container fees due from January 1 at DP World, Patrick Terminals and Victoria International Container Terminal, with Hutchison Port Holdings set to follow on February 1. Terminal companies did not immediately respond to the findings.