FTA / APSA - CHRISTMAS NETWORKING

Please purchase your tickets before the close off dates below to avoid disappointment.

Thank you to LogiHire and Ubeeco for sponsoring the following Christmas Networking events:

5 December 2024 : FTA QLD Christmas Networking Function (registrations close 20 Nov)

We are delighted to advise that John Park [Head of Business Operations – Freight & Trade Alliance FTA) / Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA)] received the 2024 Industry Australian Biosecurity Award from Adam Fennessy PSM [Secretary - Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry DAFF)] at Parliament House, Canberra on Monday 25 November 2024.- READ MORE

FTA / APSA - OUT & ABOUT

The very successful series of forums on Safe Container Loading & Transport Container Practices wound up with sessions in Adelaide and Fremantle last week. All sessions across the country were very well attended by a wide cross section of industry ( Importers, Exporters, Freight Forwarders, Shipping Lines, Transport Operators, Warehouse Operators, Container Terminals, & Government). 

Tom Jensen, Head of International Freight & Logistics, Freight & Trade Alliance presenting at the Adelaide session

John Park, Head of Business Operations, Freight & Trade Alliance presented at the Fremantle session

Thanks for the warm welcome, Ami—looking forward to staying in touch and supporting Cargoclear International, a valued Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) member, in its continued success!

What an incredible time was had at the Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) Christmas Networking Event at none other than our favourite spot, Mr McCracken. A massive thank you to Fhiona S. and Sam Smeaton from LogiHire generous sponsorship and ongoing support of our Alliance—your partnership truly helped make this event extra special.Sincere thanks as well to Matt Dunstan and the team at UBEECO Packaging Solutions for their valued sponsorship and support. We're grateful to have such amazing partners contributing to the success of our Alliance!

FTA / APSA - ADVOCACY

Following engagement by Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA), along with other members of a range of industry engagement committees. The Australian Border Force (ABF) has updated the above with additional pages and content for each of the various trade and travel committees. 

The ABF have also decided to publish communiques from meetings that they hope will be useful to support external discussions with members, with a view to  continuing open and frank discussions in each forum. Communiques have been prepared for all meetings across the 2024 calendar year, and will be provided moving forward. Please see updated website HERE

FTA / APSA - IN THE MEDIA

Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) was a proud sponsor of last week's prestigious Daily Cargo News (DCN) 2024 Australian Shipping & Maritime Industry Awards hosted at the Plaza Ballroom in Melbourne. After a comprehensive judging process, including representation from FTA's Sal Milici, the winners were announced with a number of FTA members and their employees receiving awards and special recognition: For the full list of winners and highlights from the night see HERE

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 an 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.

Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) has been fielding enquiries from members as to the dates for the above mandatory units to be completed in this CPD/CBC year. The latest advice we have from both agencies is as follows.

ABF - The mandatory ABF, CPD module for the 2024/25 CPD is now live - READ MORE
DAFF - the unit is expected to be available for members to complete on 17 February 2025

FTA will keep members advised as more information is available

LOGISTICS

Contact John Park to feature your organisation or service in an upcoming edition - prospectus HERE

Ports, freight and logistics industry update November 2024

Over the past 10 months, Freight Victoria met with more than 140 organisations across the ports, freight and logistics industry to understand the current supply chain challenges and opportunites to improve the freight system. 

A Conversation Summary has been developed, outlining the common themes that were identified during the engagement, along with an indication of the priority areas where we can act. While the Conversation Summary does not detail the granularity of the feedback received, all input will be considered in the updating of the Victorian Freight Plan. READ MORE

Amazon, IKEA join other ocean cargo shippers to boost demand for new green fuels

Amazon.com and IKEA, in alliance with about three dozen other companies that depend on ocean freight, will invite shipping firms for the first time to bid on a contract in January to move their cargo on vessels powered by near-zero emissions e-fuels like e-methanol.

The group known as the Zero Emissions Maritime Buyers Alliance wants to use the combined clout of its members, who have their own climate goals to meet, to create demand for e-fuels made with renewable electricity and carbon dioxide. Those fuels are in very short supply. -

READ MORE

OneStop and ACFS Port Logistics Expand Partnership to Transform Container Operations in Brisbane

In this issue:

• HVSI project conducts series of Safe Container Loading & Transport Practices seminars

• NHVR Annual Report 2023-2024 now available

• NHVR to roll out Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras in NSW in 2025

• Updates to the National Heavy Vehicle Inspection Manual (NHVIM)

• READ MORE

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

Notices:

SEAFREIGHT

Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) wish to advise members of upcoming impacts to terminal operations due to Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) Annual General Meeting (AGM) stop work meetings  - Thursday 28th November and Friday 6th December. READ MORE

Voluntary Port Performance Framework Quarterly Dashboard 

Freight Victoria, in the Department of Transport and Planning, has released the 2024 quarterly dashboard under the Voluntary Port Performance Model (VPPM). Industry stakeholders can view the dashboard by visiting the Voluntary Performance Monitoring Framework (VPMF) webpage.

The dashboard includes data from the three stevedores and other stakeholders, updated quarterly, with monthly performance data, to enhance the transparency of land-side port operations.

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.

25 November 2024 :  Part X: Notice of the Happening of an Affecting Event – China to Australia Service inwards and outwards service

Notices:

AIRFREIGHT

Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) have received an update from dnata on the announcement of their operating hours through the Christmas & New Year period for 2024/25 : READ MORE

Qantas Freight Operations

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

Notices:

BIOSECURITY

Cargo Operations Snapshot 

25 November Report   LOGIN REQUIRED 

Notices:

BORDER

The Australian Border Force (ABF) reports on cargo clearance times by publishing the Time Release Study (TRS). TRS is a method endorsed by the World Customs Organization (WCO) for assessing border agency performance in trade facilitation. The ABF is currently working to streamline the TRS and enhance how data on cargo clearance times is presented. We welcome your input to make the TRS a tool that provides easy access to border clearance data and meets industry needs. The information collected may be used to amend future TRS reports. The most recent ABF TRS can be accessed here.

The survey can be accessed  HERE - please respond by COB Friday 29 November 2024

Notices:

TRADE

Trade Data Updates Week Ending 26th November 2024

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

Anti-Dumping Notices Update Week Ending 26th November 2024

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

The Anti-Dumping Commission has reviewed its reporting on the outcomes of Duty Assessments to increase the transparency associated with Duty Assessment determinations.  From 14 December 2024 the Monthly Status Report will be altered to include the following information for finalised Duty Assessments.  The report will now disclose if a Positive (full refund) or Negative (part or no refund) Determination has been made, the percentage of the refund provided, and the operative variable factor used in the determination.

Any questions about this matter should be sent to clientsupport@adcommission.gov.au

Notices:
25.11.2024 : Department of Industry Science and Resources Annual report 2023–24 ... read more
25.11.2024 : WTO - Facilitator urges members to be practical, flexible as dispute reform talks intensify ... read more
22.11.2024 : Anti-Dumping Commission Updates Week ending 22nd November 2024 ... login required
22.11.2024 : WTO - New report examines how artificial intelligence may shape future of international trade ... read more
22.11.2024 : Anti-Dumping Commission Update ... read more
20.11.2024 : WTO members consider five regional trade agreements ... read more
20.11.2024 : WTO - Items proposed for consideration at the next meeting of Dispute Settlement Body  ... 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 

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