Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) have participated in ongoing National Coordination Mechanism meetings (chaired by the Director General Emergency Management Australia) examining domestic North / South, East / West supply chain issues as a result of the recent 'one in 200 year' South Australian rainfall event.

The NCM and participating government and private sector participants deserve the highest recognition for their crisis management.

Supply to Darwin of 'essential' goods from the east coast has largely been addressed via extended road routes.

Difficulties remain in the East / West with priority service being given to 'essential' goods.

FTA / APSA will play an ongoing role in liaison with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications in the co-ordination of coastal shipping noting exemptions to the Coastal Trading (Revitalising Australian Shipping) Act 2012 – effectively allowing unrestricted access to Western Australian ports from 1 February to 31 March 2022 - contact pzalai@FTAlliance.com.au

For an operational update, we highly recommend members listen to a recording from the ABC Country Hour yesterday (3 February 2022) featuring a status report from The Hon Rita Saffioti (pictured) WA Minister for Transport; Planning; Ports.

I was also privileged to join the programme and speak to reporter Georgia Hargreaves in terms of the sustained viability of coastal shipping - LISTEN HERE.

Paul Zalai - Director FTA | Secretariat APSA | Director GSF

ABC COUNTRY HOUR - interview with Paul Zalai EAST / WEST SUPPLY OF ESSENTIAL GOODS