Navigating Rate Agreements: Evaluating the Security and Enforceability of Contracts with Shipping Lines -  Join us to hear from Frazer Hunt (Partner | Insurance, Transport & Trade, Mills Oakley) and Maurice Lynch (Partner | Insurance, Transport & Trade, Mills Oakley), who will be providing their expert insights and legal guidance on these critical matters. Wednesday 24 July 1200 AEST.    REGISTER HERE

FTA / APSA - IN THE MEDIA

The discussion centred on whether importers should pay a higher biosecurity fee as the 'risk creators' and the need to offset both import and export costs with a Mandatory Code to regulate soaring stevedore-imposed fees. 

Freight Policy Reform Program Consultation Paper: submissions published

Transport for NSW recently sought feedback on the Freight Policy Reform Program Consultation Paper, the draft NSW Heavy Vehicle Access Policy (HVAP) and the effects of the implementation of the Port Botany Landside Improvement Strategy (PBLIS) recommendations as part of the Ports and Maritime Administration Act (the Act) and the Port Botany Landside Improvement Strategy (PBLIS) Independent Review. Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association  (APSA) along with strong support from members provided a submission to the review. Transport for NSW thanked all those who made a submission, these are now available on the Freight Policy Reform Program website.

The Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) have for many years now lead the way with represensentation of member / industry concerns to not only the  ACCC but also a range of government ministers, departments and inquiry's.
 

We kindly encourage all members to take a moment to complete the survey, which will be open until 31 July 2024.  READ MORE

FTA / APSA are preparing a response to the Transport and Infrastructure Net Zero Consultation Roadmap. Members can make a direct submission by 17:00 AEST on Friday 26 July 2024 by reading the consultation roadmap and responding to the questions through the Department portal here. READ MORE

Timely and effective support - contact details

To assist us in maintaining our high level of operational support, it is important for members to use the email address support@FTAlliance.com.au. This allows us to direct your enquiry to the most qualified and available team member. Once a case is allocated, we then encourage direct email contact with the FTA team member until the matter is resolved.

FTA / APSA - OUT & ABOUT

340 industry members and guests attended the 5th WA International Trade Ball on Saturday 20 July at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Perth. The charity beneficiary this year was Little Things for Tiny Tots and we were able to raise some $19,000.00 to support their efforts. Thank you to our guests on the FTA table (LtoR) Daniel Trinne, Vanessa Trinne and Greg Rohrs from Aurizon, Petra Roberts, Ann Park,  Jo Robinson-Smith (Wesfarmers), John Park, Ben and Katrina Tiller from CBH. 

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 a member 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.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES & FORESTRY (DAFF)

The Department has advised that the mandatory Continuing Biosecurity Competency for the current period will be held in February 2025. The recorded resource will be accessed via the department's Learnhub. The assessment must be completed via the FTA training platform "MYFTACPD". The assessment will be uploaded for accredited persons that attended any FTA 2024 face-to-face session or who has purchased a member online training package.
 

FTA ONLINE TRAINING PLATFORM - "MYFTACPD"

The upgraded platform provides:

• the removal of the need for promotional codes. The library in your profile will automatically be populated with current course content throughout the customs broker licensing period and advised by email when a new topic has been uploaded to completion.
• high quality training content and resources;
• secure and easy to use 'self-service' login functionality;
• migration of previous history from the legacy system allowing licensed customs brokers to access their online Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Attainment Statements for the current and previous periods;

Interested in purchasing a member online training package for the current customs broker licensing period. Please contact Caroline on czalai@FTAlliance.com.au.

OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS

24 JULY 2024 : WEBINAR - Navigating Rate Agreements: Evaluating the Security and Enforceability of Contracts with Shipping Lines 
25 JULY 2024 : Explore Automation Solutions for Your Growing Business with Arthur and Francis 

25 JULY 2024 : Enhancing Efficiency in Australia"s Container Transport through Collaboration 

26 JULY 2024 : 2024 Care-Factor Industry Charity Trade Ball 

30 JULY 2024 : WA Transition to Telematics Monitoring Application (TMA) 

31 JULY 2024 : The Australian Grains Industry Conference 2024 (AGIC 2024) 

7 AUGUST 2024 : WEBINAR - Port of Melbourne Financial Year 2024 Update: Insights, Impacts, and Innovations 

14 AUGUST 2024 : WEBINAR - Revolutionising Document Management with Meshed Up: Unleashing the Power of Machine Learning 
15 AUGUST 2024 : APSA 34th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
15 AUGUST 2024 : WEBINAR - Yojee - Gain Greater Control of Your Transport Requirements and Deliver Higher Customer Service 
26 SEPTEMBER 2024 : 2024 Senior & Retired Customs Brokers Luncheon (NSW) 

National Coordination Mechanism

Members will be well aware of the Global I.T. outage that took place late last week. As soon as the scope of the outage was becoming known Paul Zalai, Director Freight & Trade Alliance | Secretariat, Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) along with other representatives of the National Coordination Mechanism (NCM) were called to meetings to asses the impacts and discuss any measures that needed to be taken.

From discussions by FTA | APSA with a wide range of government bodies and service providers it would seem that the border clearance and biosecurity functions, as well as stevedores and air cargo terminals were only mildly impacted. We also reached out to Richard White (CEO, WiseTech Global) a provider of I.T. services to a vast majority in our industry, his commentary can be seen in Update 2 below.
I.T. Outage UPDATE
I.T. Outage UPDATE 2

LOGISTICS

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

Battlelines set for major Westport freight link 

That link is Anketell Road, which will be widened for six kilometres from Kwinana Freeway to the new port. However as the handing over of the business plan to State Government gets closer, we are now seeing commentary on environmental impacts of the wider Westport development. It is being reported in the West Australian that the State Government has been urged to rethink the Westport outer harbour project as conservationists warn the impact could be "worse than Roe 8*. Also as reported in "The West" on July 12, the development may not be open till 2042.

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.

• 22 JULY 2024: Part X: Notice of the Happening of an Affecting Event – for Capricorn Service inwards and outwards service

A number of FTA | APSA members have advised receipt of communications from MSC stating all bookings for cargo transiting SIN and TPP will stop until further notice. FTA have been in contact with MSC and are advised as follows.

• ONLY cargo bookings to / from Europe transiting SIN and TPP are impacted

• Direct sailings to / from Europe to Australia are NOT impacted

• Clarification on any impact to Asian origin cargoes is still to be advised

Notices:

19.7.024 : MSC - Reports of a Suspension of Transhipment Services into AU/NZ - BREAKING NEWS ... read more
17.7.2024 : Port of Brisbane News July 2024 ... read more
16.7.2024 : An update on decommissioning the Northern Endeavour ... read more
16.7.2024 : WEBINAR - Port of Melbourne Financial Year 2024 Update Insights, Impacts, and Innovations ... read more

AIRFREIGHT

QANTAS Freight Operations

From 22 July 2024, all domestic shipments will be serviced from our facility at 11 Apac Drive, Melbourne Airport, Tullamarine, VIC 3043. JETS will then move to our Melbourne Freight Terminal.From this date, traffic management plans will be in place to ensure a smooth transition. Please practice a heightened level of awareness when visiting our terminal to ensure the safety of all. READ MORE

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

Notices:

BIOSECURITY

Cargo Operations Snapshot 

The Department has advised the return of the Cargo Operations Snapshot. Members will see a few changes one of which is the addition of a section on Cargo Compliance. When viewing the report we suggest members note the Data Definitions on page 3.

July 22 Report   LOGIN REQUIRED 

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry have released a communique on the meeting held on 1 July 2024, Chaired by Andrew Patterson, Acting First Assistant Secretary, Biosecurity Operations Division. READ MORE

Illegal Logging - The Latest Developments

FTA has been extensively advocating for reforms in this area on behalf of our Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) and FTA membership base. We consider the latest meeting to be a positive step forward. READ MORE

Notices:

BORDER

Notices:

TRADE

Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) have been invited by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to make a submission on the above. Your participation is highly valued and will contribute significantly to the DFAT inquiry. We look forward to valuable input from members. 

To share your views, please contact SMilici@FTAlliance.com.au by close of business Friday 26 July 2024.

For further information about the Roadmap, please visit the DFAT website HERE.

Check out the latest happenings in the Agribusiness and Food scene

• Strong growth in trade with UK under the Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement

• Highest sheepmeat and goatmeat exports on record

• Renewed foreign push for Australian food and fibre
  READ MORE

Trade Data Updates Week Ending 22nd July 2024

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

Anti-Dumping Notices Update Week Ending 22nd July 2024

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

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 

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