Peak grain advocacy body joins FTA and APSA in growing alliance

I am delighted to advise that Grain Trade Australia (GTA) has become the latest peak industry body to become a member of the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA).  GTA joins a growing alliance of associations supported by APSA and the Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) that already includes the Australian International Movers Association, Australian Council of Wool Exporters & Processors, Australian Meat Industry Council, Australian Dairy Products Federation, Australian Steel Association and Tyre Stewardship Australia.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the 2022-23 grain season set a new record, being 10.6 percent higher than the previous record of 43.22Mt, set just a year earlier.  Importantly, containerised exports of grain is also significantly increasing. As demonstrated in the following table, grain was the largest containerised commodity export through the Port of Melbourne for 2022-23  (94,403 TEU). SOURCE: Linked-In Port of Melbourne

The containerised export of high volume low value commodities comes with its challenges in an environment with incontestable and rapidly increasing charges at our ports and with disruptions to a reliable supply of equipment and vessel availability.  A well-regulated economy will help Australia to prosper. Australia has world class manufacturers and producers who are supported by skilled customs brokers and freight forwarders ready to take advantage of the opportunities created by free trade agreements and trade liberalisation measures. These opportunities will not be fully realised while physical access to market and costs of trade are prohibitive As a part of our growing alliance of key sectors of commerce, we are in a stronger position to address the need for shipping competition reform, the winding back of stevedore and empty container park terminal access charges, regulation of container detention practices, biosecurity process review, minimum service levels and to drive key infrastructure investment. MEDIA RELEASE AVAILABLE HERE Paul Zalai - Director FTA | Secretariat APSA | Director GSF