FTA / APSA Weekly Report 2026/32 - sponsored by SALTA

Wednesday, August 12, 2026
FTA / APSA WEEKLY REPORT 2026/32
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JOIN THE ALLIANCE
SPONSOR OF THE WEEK


FTA / APSA & NZCOC are proud to have SALTA as a SILVER sponsor for the upcoming 2026 Australia  & New Zealand Shipping & Logistics Conference

 

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES & FORESTRY

2026 CONTINUING BIOSECURITY COMPETENCY (CBC)
 
Accredited persons who have not completed their Department of Agriculture Fisheries & Forestry (DAFF) Mandatory Continued Biosecurity Competency (CBC) Activity 2026-27/01 (0302) by the due date (24 July 2026) should complete immediately via Learnhub.

On completion you are required to send the Certificate of Completion to Class19@aff.gov.au to reactivate your accreditation.

FTA / APSA - UPCOMING EVENTS

2026 AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND SHIPPING & LOGISTICS CONFERENCE

Book Your Place NOW ...

Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA), the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) and the New Zealand Cargo Owners Council (NZCOC) are delighted to advise that registrations are now open for the inaugural 2026 Australia & New Zealand Shipping & Logistics Conference.

Are you interested in sponsoring this event?
Please speak with Paul Zalai on 0408 280 123 or pzalai@ftalliance.com.au
12 August 2026 : Webinar - Navigating the AI Opportunity  - Find out more from freightmate.Ai 
12 August 2026 : Webinar - Austrade - Lessons from COVID-19 & Building Supply Chain Resilience 
19 August 2026 : Webinar - Introducing TaluxIQ 2.0: Rethinking the Inbox for Freight Forwarders 
27-28 August 2026 : 2026 Australia & New Zealand Shipping & Logistics Conference
24 September 2026 : Annual Retired Customs Brokers Luncheon - SYDNEY
UPCOMING WEBINARS

Navigating the AI Opportunity  - Find out more from freightmate.Ai

Wednesday 12 August 2026 - 1200 AEST


Join Bryan Lacaillade, CEO and Co-Founder of Freightmate AI, for a practical discussion on how artificial intelligence is transforming freight forwarding, customs brokerage and logistics operations.

Managing supply chain disruption: lessons from COVID-19 and building supply chain resilience

Wednesday 12 August 2026 - 1000 AEST



In this webinar, Marg Staib and Michael Byrne (former heads of the International Freight Assistant Mechanism) and industry expert Mark Coleman join Austrade's Jay Meek to examine:

  • what lessons from COVID-19 we should apply to today's challenges

  • what can be done to build future supply chain resilience.

Introducing TaluxIQ 2.0: Rethinking the Inbox for Freight Forwarders

Wednesday 19 August 2026 - 1000 AEST



Email remains central to freight forwarding operations, but traditional inboxes are not designed for modern workflows. This webinar introduces TaluxIQ 2.0 and explores how freight forwarders can improve efficiency by turning email into structured, actionable operational data.

FTA / APSA - OUT & ABOUT

PERTH: Always a great night at the ATLC Importer & Exporter evenings. An opportunity to spread the word on what FTA / APSA are about and catch up with fellow industry colleagues and members. Great to see Lawrence Christoffelsz in town to run the event and talk to him about the support from Import / Export TV for the upcoming Australia & New  Zealand.Shipping & Logistics Conference in Sydney on 27 & 28 Auguist

pictured L to R - Lawrence Christoffelsz, Amanda Bradfield (End to End Logistics), John Park & Lakwin Vindula (FM Global)

MELBOURNE: Strong industry advocacy starts with meaningful member engagement.

Last week Lucy Robinson had the pleasure of meeting with Shane Miller, Customs Manager at TOLL Global Forwarding, to discuss several key issues facing our sector, including the approaching BMSB season, DAFF procedures, COLS systems, and opportunities for Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) to further support members across the supply chain.

Direct engagement with members remains fundamental to FTA's ability to advocate effectively on behalf of industry and contribute to practical, solutions focused outcomes for the freight, customs, and logistics sectors.

PERTH:
Last week John Park had the pleasure to visit with Marina Brew from Cargoport Pty Ltd to wish her all the best for her future endeavours in retirement.

Marina has been in our industry over 40 years and started Cargoport Pty Ltd in 2004 which she now leaves in the capable hands of Nerelle Rockall Danielle Muratore and the wider team. 

It was great to chat and catch up with her on the journey and to thank her for the support of Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) 

FTA / APSA - IN THE MEDIA

2SM - FTA speaking to Tim Webster on Western Sydney International Airport

Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) director and Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) secretary Paul Zalai spoke to Timothy Webster at 2SM yesterday (7 August 2026) about the exciting freight developments at Western Sydney International Airport

Interview starts 1.12.19 Ends 1.19.09 Tim Webster - Sydney's 2SM 1269 go to Friday 7 August 

DCN - Industry concerns as ships reroute away from ACFS


Freight and Trade Alliance director Paul Zalai said members had reported "some initial concerns that stevedore servicing of ACFS transport operations may have been affected following the administration announcement". 
 

"However, advice received… suggests that operations are currently continuing under normal arrangements," Mr Zalai said. 

He said the focus would now turn to shipping lines and their contracted stevedores to ensure sufficient capacity existed across the network. Mr Zalai said broader industry implications were "only now beginning to emerge". 

"This is no longer simply an ACFS issue. The challenge for the industry is managing the flow-on effects as container movements are redirected through an already constrained network," he said. READ MORE (story credit DCN)

A full list of our extensive ongoing media coverage is available HERE

FTA / APSA - TRAINING

MYFTACPD TRAINING PLATFORM

Continuing Professional Development Period 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027

NEW PERIOD TOPICS NOW AVAILABLE


When completing topics online via our MYFTACPD training platform, you must only complete topics in your "ACTIVE" library to receive the CPD Points for the period. You can review old courses for reference or as a refresher in your "COMPLETED" library, however any assessments completed will NOT count towards CPD Attainment. This approach is to ensure you remain up to date with current topics when completing your professional development.
Are you organised for your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) training?

FTA offers online training 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 bulk discounts are available on a sliding scale. 


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

Please email Caroline at czalai@FTAlliance.com.au if you wish to organise a package.

LOGISTICS

50 year Celebration for CAS



Congratulations to Adelaide-founded freight forwarding, customs and logistics business Customs Agency Services (CAS) on celebrating 50 years in the industry — five decades spent helping Australian importers and exporters move goods that are complex, urgent or business-critical, with clear, practical logistics and customs advice when it matters most. READ MORE

OptiBook to launch at Patrick Terminals

Patrick Terminals has announced the upcoming implementation of OptiBook at their Fremantle Terminal on 5 September at an OptiBook Carrier Engagement Forum in collaboration with the team at Patrick Fremantle at the Royal Fremantle Golf Club. This session provided attendees with a first look at the new OptiBook and Tag Run Booking processes, that have been designed to eliminate the current manual processes.

READ MORE  - ( pictured left to right Theresa Duong, Brad Morgan, Troy Storer, Peter Chesi and Caroline Azolini )

Changes to visiting Fremantle Ports' Security Zones

From 9 September 2026, Fremantle Ports will implement a new Visitor Management System (VMS) to enhance safety and improve the management of visitor access within its Security Zones.
 
The rollout will be implemented in stages, commencing at NQ Gate 4 before being progressively introduced across the remaining Fremantle Ports gates in the Inner and Outer Harbours

Key Changes 

  • No advance bookings are required for escorted visitors.

  • The hosts/ escort person is responsible for arranging visits and providing their card number to their visitor.

  • Visitors will self-register and check out using a self-service kiosk.

  • Security personnel will verify visitor identities and authorise access at security gates.

  • Visitors will be issued with a visitor access card that must be worn on site, used at access points, and returned on departure.

Please ensure you and your people are aware of these changes and remind any visiting contractors seeking unescorted access that they must present government-issued photo ID. Access will not be granted without appropriate identification.
More information is available on Fremantle Ports website.

Giant wind blades begin 400km journey

Recently, 80-metre long wind turbine blades began their journey to the Uungula Wind Farm development near Wellington in the Central West Orana.

 

Multiple OSOM movements will leave the Port of Newcastle each week, although the number may vary. The blade components are scheduled to leave the Port at night time to minimise impacts around the Newcastle precinct. READ MORE (story credit ATN magazine)

Fremantle Traffic Bridge set to open early

The new Fremantle Traffic Bridge is now expected to open before the end of 2026, restoring a key road connection near the port months ahead of schedule.

 

The new Fremantle Traffic Bridge is expected to open to road users before the end of 2026, bringing forward the return of a key connection near Fremantle Port.

The old bridge closed on 1 February, and the replacement had originally been expected to open in the first half of 2027. READ MORE (story credit ATN magazine)

TT Talk: August 2026

I'm pleased to 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.

  • When operational disruption meets metallurgy: why early corrosion detection matters for tank containers

  • When routine becomes risk: vehicle deck safety in port operations

  • Port authority bulletin - July 2026

  • The effects of heat stress and how to effectively manage the risk
    READ MORE

Notices:

11.8.2026 : ACFS Port Logistics - Administration Update - UPDATE 4 - .read more
11.8.2026 : INTEGRATED CARGO SYSTEM (ICS) MESSAGING DELAYS - read more
10.8.2026 : Fremantle Ports - Portfolio Newsletter -read more
10.8.2026 : ACFS Port Logistics - operational impacts- -.read more
10.8.2026 : Menzies CTO site tour - Western Sydney Airport - Seeking expressions of interest - read more
10.8.2026 : Fremantle Ports - Portfolio Newsletter - read more
9.8.2026 : Container Trade Statistics Data June 2026 - read more
8.8.2026 : ACFS Port Logistics - CEO message - UPDATE 2 - .read more
7.8.2026 : ACFS Port Logistics Enters Administration - UPDATE 1 - .read more
7.8.2026 : OneStop - OptiBook to launch at Patrick Terminals – Fremantle First Weekend in September - read more
6.8.2026 : Patrick Fisherman Islands Terminal - Ekka Show Day Public Holiday Hours - Wednesday 12th August 2026 -read more

SEA FREIGHT

AXIMA August Market Update

Peak season is now well underway and the market is becoming much less forgiving of late bookings. Space can still be secured across most trade lanes, but not always in the location, quantity or timing shippers would prefer. Weather disruption, transhipment congestion and geopolitical tensions are all shaping carrier schedules and planning decisions. In this issue we look at news across the following trade lanes

  • North Asia

  • South East Asia

  • Europe / Uk

  • America

  • Australia
    READ MORE (news credit AXIMA)

Notices:

11.8.2026 : International Shipping Line Financial Data Update - read more

AIR FREIGHT

FedEx announces China – Sydney service

GLOBAL freight giant FedEx Express has announced the introduction of a non-stop service between its Asia-Pacific hub in Guangzhou, China, and Sydney, seeking to strengthen market connectivity.

 

Operating five times weekly using Boeing 777 freighter aircrafts, the new route, is expected to deliver up to one-day faster transit times for select shipments.

The service also seeks to consolidate freight flow from Europe, West Asia, the Indian Subcontinent and Asia into the Australian market.

 

The enhancement is said to reflect the company's "ongoing investment" in supporting more resilient global supply chains.  READ MORE( story credit DCN)


Qantas Freight Operations

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

Notices:

10.8.2026 : WSI - Vietjet Air tickets on sale to fly from WSI - read more
10.8.2026 : Menzies CTO site tour - Western Sydney Airport - Seeking expressions of interest - read more

BIOSECURITY

Please click  HERE   the DAFF Biosecurity Report -  sponsored by Intreso Group | eFume

Notices:

11.8.2026 : 2026-27 Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) season industry information session Second session added - .read more

TRADE

Export Update

In the latest export update from Austrade we look at:

  • Navigating US tariffs: briefing on 12.5% US tariff announcement

  • Understanding your shipping route before you export

  • Understanding private label in the US
    READ MORE

Finance Report

Please see the Weekly Market Summary courtesy of  Xe

 

READ MORE - LOGIN REQUIRED

LIVE exchange rate conversion
 

FTA have added the Xe exchange rate widget to the right sidebar on our FTAlliance.com.au home page, so members can easily convert using live rates provided by our affiliate partner in Xe.

It also has a link to the Xe/FTA landing page for members to create a free account with Xe.

Trade Data Updates Week Ending 11th August 2026

 

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

LOGIN REQUIRED

Notices:

10.8.2026 : Xe - Market Snapshot and Bank Forecasts 100826 - read more
10.8.2026 : Xe Morning Update - Your daily market wrap - .read more

Anti-Dumping Notices Data Updates Week Ending 11th August 2026

 

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


LOGIN REQUIRED

BORDER

Two charged over alleged methamphetamine import via sea freight

TWO men have appeared before the NSW Bail Division Court charged over their alleged roles in the importation of 13kg of methamphetamine from Germany.

 

The investigation began after Australian Border Force (ABF) officers examined a vehicle transmission imported inside a 

shipping container when it arrived in Sydney on 27 July. READ MORE (story credit DCN)

Victorian man jailed for multiple illicit tobacco imports

A 42-year-old Victorian man with a previous criminal history has today (7 August 2026) been sentenced to 4 years and 6 months jail in relation to multiple large-scale illicit tobacco importations at the County Court of Victoria.


The consignments were mis-declared on customs declarations as genuine imports containing rugs, curtains, instant noodles and furniture. READ MORE (story credit ABF newsroom)

Notices

11.8.2026: INTEGRATED CARGO SYSTEM (ICS) MESSAGING DELAYS - read more
10.8.2026 : ABF - Two men charged over failed meth import plot in Sydney"s west - read more
9.8.2026 : ABF - Victorian man jailed for multiple illicit tobacco imports - read more.
8.8.2026 : ABF TC Gazette 26/29 - read more
7.8.2026 : NZ Customs Release - 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


28.7.2026 : Webinars & CPD Recordings - read more

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


 
Member Communications
 

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

 
 


 












 









 
 






  
















 

 

 
 


 
 


















 

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