02:46 Dec 13, 2011 

But not much mention of customs procedures themselves. I hadn't thought of "holding time" in that sense until but I suspect that it's not it because it would be the only even implicit mention of customs procedures. The focus is more on physical factors leading to delays. Let's hope they'll sort out customs clearance to make the whole thing worthwhile.

Also, "temps d’attente et manutention" appear quite a number of times in the text and I'm pretty sure that is intended to cover "handling time".

I had perhaps been taken by the similarity with "couts d'immobilisation", but I can certainly see how "holding time" could seem sensible. hmmm...

02:25 Dec 13, 2011 

Does your document suggest that customs procedures will be improved? The text you quote makes me think that the "immobilisation" could be by customs, in which case you could use "holding time", but it might simply be "handling time" (use of different French terms just for style)