9 News - FREIGHT RATES CONTRIBUTING TO COST-OF-LIVING CRISIS

Monday, June 24, 2024
Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) have commenced a mainstream media campaign to raise awareness of significant increases in freight rate and surcharges imposed by foreign-owned containerised shipping lines.

We thank reporter Hayley Francis for collaborating to highlight some of the causes and the downstream impacts on consumers with prime-time national coverage on 9 News (Saturday 22 June 2024).
National 9 News - Saturday 22 June 2024 
While shipping lines claim spot rate increases are the result of the current supply and demand imbalance (largely attributed to global events including ongoing Red Sea hostilities, congestion in Singapore, high demand to ship from China to the US before tariff increases), it is disturbing to hear that some are reneging on Named Account (NAC) agreed rates and holding subsequent import consignments on a lien basis until payments are made.
 
We encourage members to provide any examples of the above to Tom Jensen (Head of International Freight & Logistics – FTA/APSA) at tjensen@FTAlliance.com.au for referral to our legal counsel and to assist with our broader advocacy for reforms in line with the Productivity Commission's findings in their review of Australia's Maritime Logistics System - refer HERE.  

Paul Zalai - Director FTA | Secretariat APSA | Director GSF