Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) are active members of the Port Transport and Logistics Taskforce - PTLT (co-chaired by NSW Ports and Transport for NSW), the Empty Container Park Working Group - ECPWG (chaired by Transport for NSW) and the Freight and Logistics Advisory Council - FLAC (led by NSW Ministers Toole and Constance).
Above and beyond these formal consultative forums, FTA / APSA is privileged to have direct bi-lateral engagement with NSW government executives with the next meeting scheduled for 18 May 2021; agenda outlined below:- Rail - seeking representation of cargo owners / shippers on related policy / performance forums.
- Terminal Access Charges - experience to date on the Victorian Voluntary Port Performance Model (VPPM) - next steps via National Transport Commission
- Scope of the proposed Freight Community System
- Feedback on PTLT and purpose
- Port Botany Landside Improvement Strategy (PBLIS) review
A sustained focus for FTA / APSA is in relation to empty container management processes.
Over the past 12 months the ECPWG has examined empty container issues in Sydney with a view to implement changes that could see an improvement to the visibility and the processing of trucks into / out of the various facilities.
The latest update to members was circulated in the "weekly report" on Tuesday 10 May 2021 and within that report was a link to a road transport operators survey which we urge relevant members to complete.
We are now also in receipt from Transport for NSW advice on a "Review of the Ports & Maritime Administration Regulation". Coming out of the ECPWG, this is a proposed amendment to allow the Minister to require the provision by empty container parks of "empty container park operational data" similar to what is currently required from carriers, stevedores etc under clause 39 of the regulation.
The full advice from Transport for NSW can be seen HEREFeedback on this proposed amendment can be provided by email to freight@transport.nsw.gov.au by 28 May 2021. If you have any questions or would like to arrange a meeting to discuss this proposal further, Marie Lodge (Policy Manager, Freight Policy and Regulatory Reform) is available via email marie.lodge@transport.nsw.gov.au or on 0466 538 662.