Expansion of eligibility to access the International Freight Assistance Mechanism

Tuesday, July 14, 2020

 

 

 

 

Who does this notice affect?

Freight forwarders 

 

BREAKING NEWS - Expansion of eligibility to access the International Freight Assistance Mechanism

 

 

Further to our advice on July 3, 2020 the International Freight Assistance Mechanism (IFAM ) has been extended to the end of the year with the Australian Government committing an additional $241.9 million dollars. 

On Wednesday July 8 2020 Freight and Trade Alliance participated in an Industry Briefing with a detailed update provided by International Freight Coordinator General Michael Byrne.

Some of the information provided at the briefing included ;
 
*IFAM has been extended until the end of the year, but it is still a temporary and emergency measure. Michael and the IFAM team really emphasised that we all need to keep working hard to fill all available flights. Remember, keeping your clients in business keeps us all in business. Please make sure you're talking to your clients regularly and giving them the most up to date information. See the Austrade IFAM Webpage for more information.

*You can still book freight on IFAM supported flights (see outbound and inbound schedules) and you can also apply for grant assistance for individual consignments.

*Capping the IFAM contribution of the spread for all new grant applications to 40% other than WA where the cap is 50%. If you're unsure how to apply for a grant, please contact IFAM@austrade.gov.au (more info to come on this developing mechanism)

*Increased auditing of the grants issued to ensure probity.

*Grants can now be issued for 12 weeks rather than 6 weeks; however 12 week bookings are not guaranteed for all routes. 

*The extension of the 72 hours window from 48 hours will be applied to any new work orders not existing flights, unless otherwise agreed.
 
Of most interest to FTA members is the expansion of what IFAM will support under the extension, that is products supported by IFAM will shift to being determined by a set of 'principles' rather than a 'list of commodities'.  The IFAM measures are no longer solely restricted to perishable exports.

That means, products that are high value, time sensitive, reliant on airfreight (eg, high perishability, short shelf life, required for an immediate need) or deemed in the national interest (for example import of components/equipment for critical infrastructure assets).
If you have clients or customers who usually ship via seafreight, they should continue to do so.

We are seeking to obtain further details on this expansion including hosting a webinar with Michael Byrne as our guest.  More to follow. 

If you have any questions or need more information, please visit the Austrade IFAM Webpage or email IFAM@austrade.gov.au

 

Sal Milici - Head of Border and Biosecurity - FTA / APSA

 

NEW IFAM FLIGHT CAPACITY AND EXTENSION: LOS ANGELES, HONG KONG AND ABU DHABI

Tuesday, July 14, 2020
 

Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) has received the following the Austrade IFAM team 
We are pleased to announce new flight capacity under the International Freight Assistance Mechanism (IFAM) from Sydney and Melbourne to Los Angeles, Adelaide to Hong Kong and Melbourne to Abu Dhabi. 
Flight details 

  • Sydney to Los Angeles with Qantas departing Friday 17 July and Monday 27 July (NEW one off flights)
  • Melbourne to Los Angeles  with Qantas departing Tuesday 21 July (NEW one off flight)
  • Adelaide to Hong Kong with Cathay departing Sundays (EXTENDED for 6 weeks)
  • Melbourne to Abu Dhabi with Etihad departing Thursdays (EXTENDED for 6 weeks)
  • Melbourne to Abu Dhabi with Etihad departing Saturdays (NEW, 6 weeks, commencing 18 July)

Accessing flights 

To access flights to Los Angeles (LAX):
Freight forwarders can contact one of the six IFAM freight forwarders (see full list below) to access capacity on these flights. Alternatively these flights are open for all freight forwarders to access within 72 hours of departure. 
To access flights to Hong Kong (HKG):
These flights are open to all freight forwarders. 
To access flights to Abu Dhabi (AUH):
Freight forwarders can contact one of the six IFAM freight forwarders (see full list below) or Seaway logistics (david.grigg@seaway.com.au) to access capacity on these flights. Alternatively these flights are open for all freight forwarders to access within 48 hours of departure (Thursday flights) and 72 hours of departure (Saturday flights). 
IFAM Freight Forwarder details

Air Menzies International (Aust)

sonya.ashcroft@airmenzies.com or mike.pattinson@airmenzies.com

CT Freight

wade.bollard@ctfreight.com 

DHL Global Forwarding

bernie.cooney@dhl.com 

Kuehne & Nagel

wes.mcdiarmid@kuehne-nagel.com 

Schenker Australia

johan.sandahl@dbschenker.com 

Toll Group

quentin.masson@tollgroup.com 

Pricing 
Qantas, Cathay and Etihad are applying the following rates for the freight. The Airline rate(s) takes into account the Australian Government contribution to these flights. These rates may be subject to change - please check the IFAM website for updates. 
Freight rates for IFAM space – applicable to perishable shipments

Route

AUD / kg

Carrier

Melbourne – Los Angeles

A$ 2.75

Qantas

Sydney – Los Angeles

A$ 3.00

Qantas

Adelaide – Hong Kong

A$ 1.40

Cathay Pacific

Melbourne – Abu Dhabi

A$ 1200.00 per cubic metre

Melbourne – Abu Dhabi


Please note: The above rates are for the air freight component only, they do not include freight forwarder fees or rates. 
Airfreight Space Available
A reminder that there is capacity under the International Freight Assistance Mechanism (IFAM) on the following flights: 

  • Sydney to Dubai with Emirates (departing Sundays)
  • Toowoomba to Singapore with Singapore (departing Fridays) 

For full details, please see the IFAM Flight Schedule Outbound. 
Please visit the IFAM webpage for the latest IFAM information and download the flight schedules (inbound and outbound) for all the latest flight details. 
We will continue to keep you updated you as new flight routes become available and ask that you please share with your networks promptly. 
Any questions, please feel free to contact us at airfreight@austrade.gov.au.

Copyright © 2020 Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) Pty Ltd, All rights reserved.

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