OUR EXPANDING ALLIANCE

FTA / APSA - ADVOCACY

Establishment of Committee for Depot and Warehouse Licensing Matters - Industry Consultation Paper

Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) met with Australian Border Force (ABF) executive last week to discuss a proposal to establish an advisory committee to oversee customs depots and warehouses, adopting a similar approach to the long-standing National Customs Broker Licensing Advisory Committee (NCBLAC).

ABF recognises the important role that FTA members play in Australia's supply chain and welcomes your input in shaping a strengthened, fair and risk-aligned licensing framework.
 
Feedback can be provided direct to the ABF at CLR@abf.gov.au by 5pm AEDT, 20 March 2026.

Alternatively, to have your views incorporated into the FTA, please contact Tom Jensen at tjensen@FTAlliance.com.au by 13 March 2026.READ MORE

FTA / APSA - TRAINING

FTA ONLINE CPD TRAINING 

• Login via MYFTACPD HERE (your username starts with "FT")
• Click on your name at the top right-hand side of the page
• Click on 'Manage Account' (you can also change your password in this area)
• Click on 'FTA Attainment Statement'
• Select the CPD period
• Click download

MANDATORY ABF CPD MODULE

The Australian Border Force's Mandatory ABF CPD Module for the customs broker licensing period ending 31 March 2026 must be completed by 31 March 2026 via https://australianborderforce.birchlp.com.au
 
For ABF platform assistance please contact broker licensing directly on brokers.licensing@abf.gov.au

Note: You should download your ABF Certificate of Completion and keep as a record. This course will NOT appear on your FTA CPD Attainment Statement. This module will provide you with 3 CPD points in Stream B towards you required total of 30 CPD points for the period. Maximum 9 CPD points in Stream B should be completed on our MYFTACPD training platform.

FTA / APSA - OUT & ABOUT

FTA / APSA - IN THE MEDIA

7:30 ABC TV - Impact of Middle East Conflict on Global Trade

News.com.au - Australian exporters hit with eye-watering 'war risk' surcharges amid Iran conflict

Errors and Omissions - 2026 Risk & Resilience Webinar Series

Join James Cotis, Junnan Lai, and Karim Bizri for the second session of the 2026 Risk & Resilience Webinar Series, as they explore Errors and Omissions risks facing freight forwarders and supply chain operators.

FTA/APSA Global Shipping Insights

Join us for our seventh session as we break down the FTA Monthly Shipping Report – March 2026

FTA / APSA - UPCOMING EVENTS

2026 AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND SHIPPING & LOGISTICS CONFERENCE

WISTA Australia is a non-profit organisation established in 2011 for women within the shipping and trade sectors to promote networking and educational opportunities for female participants in these industries for the betterment of the Australian and international trade. 
 

2026 CARE-FACTOR INDUSTRY CHARITY TRADE BALL 

Notices:

LOGISTICS

Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) is pleased to announce good news for members and logistics professionals. WiseTech Academy has now expanded access to its industry training, with almost all courses now available at no cost and open to the broader logistics community.

Members can now access more than 400 courses at no cost, including:

• Diploma of International Freight Forwarding  | Diploma of Customs Broking | Approved Arrangement Accreditation | Section 77G Certification, aAnd many other industry courses

This industry offer is designed to remove barriers to training and support capability development across the entire logistics sector.READ MORE

Westport Authority to drive delivery of Kwinana's new container port

The Cook Government has introduced new legislation to Parliament to establish a dedicated authority to deliver the State's future container port and supporting infrastructure in Kwinana, securing Western Australia's long-term trade future.

The Westport Authority will be a standalone entity and agent of the Crown, minimising risks and ensuring that Westport is delivered efficiently, cost-effectively, and with full accountability.
READ MORE

ARTC seeks alternate routes for Sydney to Perth freight

WITH the Sydney to Perth rail track likely to be closed for weeks, the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) is working with freight operators on alternate routes.

While the Melbourne to Perth rail route has been reopened following flooding in South Australia, the Sydney to Perth route, which goes through Broken Hill, has sustained more significant damage. READ MORE (story credit DCN)

TT Talk: March 2026

FTA is pleasaed share the latest set of TT Talk articles, each offering practical insight into some of the most pressing topics in today's transport and logistics landscape.

This month's articles explore the importance of ensuring standard terms and conditions are properly incorporated before a contract is entered into, the opportunities arising from the freshly adopted UN Convention on Negotiable Cargo Documents and in our legal eagle, a timely reminder that when forwarders take on additional roles - such as arranging cargo insurance - a single oversight can result in full-value liability. READ MORE

Pilbara's Lumsden Point highway access complete

development will be critical to diversifying trade, supporting growth, and creating new import and export pathways," the release said. READ MORE ( story credit DCN)

Westport seeks business to help shape commercial services

WESTERN Australia's planned new container port Westport is advertising for businesses looking to shape commercial activities at the port.

Westport's Program Management and Commercial Services Panel is now live on Tenders WA, seeking expressions of interest (EOIs) for inclusion on a Program Management and Commercial Services Panel.

A statement from Westport said this would allow businesses the opportunity to be part of shaping the future port infrastructure in Kwinana.
READ MORE  (story credit DCN)

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

WA's oldest port to celebrate 200 years

Southern Ports says the anniversary will have something for everyone, from maritime enthusiasts to curious kids. READ MORE  (story credit DCN)

Notices:

SEA FREIGHT

Industry pain as Minns moves bulk from Glebe Island

BULK operations are to end on Glebe Island no later than 2030, as the government of New South Wales opts to prioritise housing over industry.

The decision means Port Kembla in the Illawarra will now form the basis of bulk operations in the greater Sydney region.

In a joint ministerial statement this week, the government announced a $270m commitment to improve road connections around Port Kembla and to investigate increased rail freight capacity. READ MORE  (story credit DCN)

Notices:

AIR FREIGHT

Air cargo demand continues its strong start to the year in February

The latest numbers from air cargo data provider Xeneta show that air cargo demand increased by 6% year on year in February, following on from a 7% increase in January.

Capacity for the month increased by the lower amount of 4% year on year and as a result of demand growing faster than supply, the dynamic load factor was up two percentage points to 62%.

The average spot freight rate was up 5% year on year to $2.58 per kg – the first monthly increase since May 2025. READ MORE (story credit Air Cargo News)

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

BIOSECURITY

Please click HERE to review the DAFF Biosecurity Report -  sponsored by EcoFum

Notices:

TRADE

Cold storage facility set to boost SA citrus exporters

A COLD storage facility at the Edinburgh Parks industrial estate near Adelaide is set to provide South Australian citrus and table grape producers with easier access to international markets.

Flinders Port Holdings (FPH) has been working with Lineage, an international cold storage organisation, to provide a plant registered with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry for fruit export and cold treatment which can store fresh produce for overseas destinations. READ MORE ( story credit DCN)

In the latest update from Austrade on Exports they cover;

• US Tariff changes - support for Australian Businesses

• Trade Diversification Network

• Agricultural production to exceed $100 billion
  READ MORE

Trade Data Updates Week Ending 10th March 2026

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

LOGIN REQUIRED

Notices:

Anti-Dumping Notices Data Updates Week Ending 10th March 2026

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

BORDER

Thank you to everyone who provided feedback during the consultation. We've finalised planned changes to the AICIS Industrial Chemicals Categorisation Guidelines which will take effect in September 2026.

Key changes:
• List of chemicals with high hazards for categorisation: 293 new entries and updates to 122 existing entries.
• Addition of 5 chemicals to part 6.5.2 of the Guidelines: Information required to demonstrate the absence of developmental toxicity.
• Revised definition of 'chemical identity holder'.
READ MORE

Narco-sub discoveries have AFP on high alert

February to tackle illegal boat incursions, particularly in Far North Queensland.

Commissioner Krissy Barrett said the AFP had several new priorities, including protecting vulnerable communities and defending domestic and regional security.  READ MORE  (story credit DCN)

Notices:

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 

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

Training, Finance & Events Enquiries
For the timeliest response from our team, FTA / APSA members are reminded to send training, finance, events and general administration enquiries to Training@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