FTA / APSA - ADVOCACY

FTA and APSA would like to thank members for their feedback that we incorporated into our submission, lodged yesterday with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), as a part of its review of the DP World Australia proposed acquisition of Silk Logistics. 


The submission outlined concerns relating to expansion of stevedore operations into landside logistics activities such as road / rail transport, freight forwarding and customs brokerage services and the threat of creating an environment with potential to discriminate against competitors. In doing so, reference was drawn to the ACCC's own literature, specifically the Container Stevedoring Monitoring Report 2023–24 released last Friday, that noted vertical integration into landside logistics could consolidate power, reducing competition and increase supply chain costs.

The FTA / APSA submission provided a series of suggested actions including an overarching recommendation for the ACCC to reject the acquisition.

Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) invites you to participate in this short survey designed to understand the challenges related to the submission of documents addressing Biosecurity matters. 

Specifically, we aim to understand the prevalence of false or fraudulent documents in the industry, how they are identified, and the outcomes of such cases.

Your insights will help shed light on this critical issue, enabling us to identify patterns, improve compliance mechanisms, and advocate for better industry / regulatory practices. READ MORE (includes survey link) Member login required

Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) have been invited by the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) to make submissions into the following treaty actions:

Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between Australia and the United Arab Emirates 
Agreement between the United Arab Emirates and Australia on the Promotion and Protection of Investments

To share your views, please contact SMilici@FTAlliance.com.au by close of business Wednesday 15 January 2025 READ MOIRE

FTA / APSA - OUT & ABOUT

A big thanks to Lee Holmes & Renae Grant for the warm welcome and for sharing insights into the fantastic work Kenter is doing.

? Insights from the FTA/APSA submission on the Port of Melbourne's 2055 Development Strategy, including plans for road and rail to manage a near-tripling in volume.

? Discussing plans for 2025 engagement with our members to ensure ongoing collaboration and industry representation, and even had some time to unpack the recent cabinet reshuffle in the Victorian government.

FTA / APSA - IN THE MEDIA

DCN - Industry reacts to ACCC Stevedore report

Paul Zalai, director of the Freight & Trade Alliance, 'shared' the official Patrick's statement on his LinkedIn page, addressing it directly by stating, "…not sure how many people will swallow this response aimed at watering down the ACCC report and commissioner Anna Brakey reference to exorbitant landside fees as a 'market failure'".
 READ MORE 
 LINKEDIN POST 

Port rail shuttle progress questioned by freight importers, rail expert

Announced in August 2020, the Port Rail Shuttle Network (PRSN) aims to "develop and upgrade" rail connections with Melbourne's intermodal terminals.

The government has claimed the shuttle is a key reason behind its decision to progressively reduce grants under the Mode Shift Incentive Scheme (MSIS), which assists rail operators who transport agricultural freight.

But Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) Trade Alliance (FTA) Trade Policy and Operations General Manager Sal Milici said further work was required to ensure "operational readiness and effective integration (of the PRSN) with broader logistics networks".

Mr Milici said frustrations were growing that so little was known about the PRSN, especially with importers paying a levy for more than four years for an important part of the program, the Port Rail Transformation Project (PRTP). READ MORE 
( thanks to Andrew Milner from Stock & Land)

Freight & Trade Alliance have been collating data from various sources in relation to operating hours for service providers, shipping lines and government agencies over the coming Christmas / New Year period.

The information can be seen at the below link, however we remind all members to stay alert to notices from Containerchain and OneStop as well as monitoring the various web sites for changes to what has already been received. This list will be updated as more information comes to hand.
 READ MORE   Changes and Additions highlighted as **NEW

MAERSK - 2024/2025 Public Holidays and Free Time
Maersk will offer extended import and export demurrage & detention freetime during Public Holidays. This concession only applies where Public Holidays fall within a customer's agreed freetime period and in such cases, the freetime will be extended to include these days.
 

We thank you for your ongoing support in trusting Maersk as your supply chain partner. Should you have any questions please contact our Customer Experience Team via our  Live Chat channel.

FTA / APSA - TRAINING & EVENTS

FTA offers Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and Continued Biosecurity Competency (CBC) training online for the customs broker licencing period 1 April to 31 March each year. The cost of an online training package is $150 (excl. gst) for member organisations with bulk discounts available on a sliding scale.

Licensed customs brokers not employed by a corporate FTA member, can purchase an Individual Membership which includes online CPD & CBC training for the cost of only $300 (excl. gst) per customs broker licensing period.

Australian Border Force (ABF) & Department of Fisheries & Forestry (DAFF) Mandatory CPD & CBC Modules

Customs Broker Licensing Period to 31 March 2025

ABF - The ABF Mandatory CPD module for the 2024/25 CPD is now live - READ MORE

DAFF - The DAFF Mandatory CBC Activity 24-25/01 (CPD0215) will go live on 17 February 2025 on the Department's Learnhub site. The assessment will be automatically made available on the FTA training platform "MYFTACPD"  under the 'Active" filter for FTA members that attended a 2024 CPD Border Compliance Program (complimentary) or for those that have purchased an online training package for the period ending 31 March 2025. You will be sent an email when the assessment has been uploaded for completion. The Assessment must be completed by Monday 17 March 2025.

Important:

DAFF have advised that the Mandatory CBC Activity 24-25/01 (CPD0215) will provide you with 2 CPD Points in Stream A. Please ensure you take this into consideration when completing your 30 CPD points for the customs broker licencing period 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025.

LOGISTICS

The December edition of our Navigate Newsletter is now available. 

In this issue, we discuss:

• The State Government's $273 million investment to progress Westport.

• Where we are now and the next steps for the Westport Program.

• Information for consultants and companies interested in working with Westport.

• Highlights from the Westport Business Case Summary.

• Westport's $730,000 investment towards long-term seagrass restoration activities in and around Cockburn Sound.

  
  READ HERE

Contact John Park to feature your organisation or service in an upcoming edition - prospectus HERE

Warehouse and Depot Security Identification Card (WADSIC)

Veritas offers a comprehensive solution for customs depots and warehouse license holders to meet their WADSIC compliance obligations. By using a dedicated WADSIC portal, authorised representatives can effectively manage their personnel as prescribed in both ACN 2022/46 and ACN 2024/21.READ MORE

In this issue:

• NHVR releases its latest Heavy Vehicle Productivity Plan (HVPP)

• NHVR calls on truckies to prioritise road safety this Christmas

• Christmas/New Years business hours

• Reminder: mobile ANPR cameras will be rolled out in NSW in 2025

• West gate bridge annual works
  READ MORE

SEAFREIGHT

The Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) is the designated peak shipper body granted status by the Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport under Part X of the Consumer & Competition Act to represent the interests of Australian shippers generally in relation to liner cargo shipping services. The following notice has been received and is available to members' reference.
 

Notices:

AIRFREIGHT

Important information regarding Australian Government Security Compliance requirements

Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) has received advice from QANTAS on details from the Department of Home Affairs, Cyber and Infrastructure Security Centre (CISC) regarding non-compliant cargo description fields in Air Waybills (AWB) and Cargo Security Declaration (CSD). 

View this important summary for more information on how to ensure your descriptors comply with the relevant legislation.

Qantas Freight Operations

Please see more details on these at the below Qantas Freight site link

•  Qantas Freight Free storage day

•  Qantas Freight Festive Season Operating Hours

Please refer the Qantas Freight site for updates on operational matters. 

Notices:

BIOSECURITY

Cargo Operations Snapshot 

24 December Report   LOGIN REQUIRED 

Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) has received advice from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) in relation to important information on Illegal Logging legislative reform

Due diligence requirements will change on 3 March 2025. READ MORE

Notices:

BORDER

Notices:

TRADE

Trade Data Updates Week Ending 16th December 2024

National ports, the Australian Bureau of statistics and data from other sources  
LOGIN REQUIRED

New leadership at the Anti-Dumping Commission

Minister for Industry and Science, Ed Husic, has announced David Latina will lead the Anti-Dumping Commission for the next five years, bringing substantial industry experience to the role.
READ MORE

Anti-Dumping Notices Update Week Ending 23rd December 2024

FTA has compiled a list of Anti-Dumping Notices from the Department of Industry, Science and Resources 
LOGIN REQUIRED

Notices:

23.12.2024 : Anti-Dumping Commission Update Week Ending 20th December 2024... login required
18.12.2024 : Australian Government - Business newsletter 17 December 2024 ... read more
18.12.2024 : Free Trade Agreement Changes ... read more

WEBINARS & RECORDINGS

Stay at the cutting edge through participation in live webinars and access to recordings – all are FREE & EXCLUSIVE to Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) members.     LOGIN REQUIRED 

13.9.2023 : Webinars & Recordings ... login required

Operational Support
For the timeliest response from our team, FTA / APSA members are reminded to send requests for operational support to support@FTAlliance.com.au

To select your communication preferences please click on "Update Subscription Preferences" at the bottom of any FTA notice -  READ MORE

SPONSORS

FTA and APSA are proud to connect members with the following sponsors as leading suppliers of services to the freight and trade sectors.

Sponsorship prospectus is available HERE