FTA / APSA - TRAINING

2025-2026 FTA ONLINE CPD & CBC TRAINING PACKAGES

The courses cover AI foundations, applying generative AI in business contexts, and implementing responsible AI practices.

The broader package also includes the Cyber Wardens program (practical cyber security for small businesses), the Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) program (language, literacy, numeracy and digital skills), the ATO's Essentials to Strengthen Your Small Business (tax, cash flow and growth planning), and the Fair Work Ombudsman's online learning centre (workplace rights and compliance).

A solid, no-cost upskilling opportunity for FTA's small businesses looking to sharpen digital, legal and operational capability in 2026.
Read more here.

FTA / APSA - ADVOCACY

SENATE COMMITTEE - FREIGHT SUPPLY CHAINS

BORDER HOLDS - UPDATE 8 Detention and Storage charges:

Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) continue to receive reports of prolonged delays caused by Australian Border Force (ABF) Border Holds, particularly in Sydney.

These holds are preventing containers from being collected, unpacked and subsequently returned for extended and often unpredictable periods.

Despite this, members continue to report that both terminals and shipping lines are applying storage and detention charges — exposing importers, exporters and their logistics providers to significant and unavoidable costs for delays that are wholly outside their control. READ MORE

FTA / APSA - OUT & ABOUT

Conference details and updates available HERE 

Huge thanks to Lawrence Christoffelsz and Varun V. from Australian Trade & Logistics Corporation for capturing the content on the day — really looking forward to seeing the stories and short clips they bring to life from the footage

FTA / APSA - IN THE MEDIA

DCN - Container detention in Australia - time for fair play, not revenue games

CONTAINER detention in Australia has drifted a long way from its original purpose. What was once a practical tool to incentivise the timely return of equipment has increasingly become a blunt revenue instrument — imposed even when cargo owners and their service providers have no ability to avoid delay.


For years, Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) have raised concerns — through formal submissions and direct engagement with shipping lines — about detention and demurrage being applied regardless of whether delays are within their control READ MORE

2026 AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND SHIPPING & LOGISTICS CONFERENCE

2026 CARE-FACTOR INDUSTRY CHARITY TRADE BALL 

FTA / APSA - UPCOMING EVENTS

RegoIQ: The Digital Assistant for Freight Forwarders

Hear from Brent Wallace how TaluxIQ's RegoIQ platform is transforming import job management through intelligent automation — reading emails, registering jobs, tracking shipments, and following up on missing documents, all while integrating seamlessly with CargoWise and Expedient to deliver unmatched speed and accuracy.

FTA/APSA Global Shipping Insights

Join Tom Jensen and Amanda Bradfield for our fifth session as we break down the FTA Monthly Shipping Report – January 2026.

Notices:

LOGISTICS

Below are links to the industry guide and updates from a recent forum. We urge members to review and discuss with their importer / exporter clients, as well as their transport suppliers, to find ways through practical changes that can be made to delivery time frames / work practices etc, to minimise the impact of the bridge closure and subsequent congestion.

• Industry Guide Fremantle Traffic Bridge Closure

• Fremantle Traffic Bridge Update - Government Position and Forum Recap

Fremantle Ports has successfully completed a planned remediation program at H Berth, delivered over a 9-day shutdown period from 5 to 14 January 2026.
 
The remediation program forms part of Fremantle Ports' ongoing strategy to prioritise critical maintenance, enhance asset resilience, and reduce the risk of unplanned outages across operational berths. 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

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SEA FREIGHT

More Chinese New Year adjustments announced

THE SHAPE of container shipping's Lunar New Year response is changing, with a peak season surcharge abandoned and more voyage blankings added in the China-Australia trade.

 The A3 consortium — ANL, COSCO SL, OOCL — has advised that the A3C and A3S strings, focused on central China and southern China respectively, will double the previously-announced voyage cancellations. READ MORE (story credit DCN)

PART X Competition & Consumer Act

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.

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AIR FREIGHT

Qantas Freight - Safety Notice - ACM cargo nets

Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) have received a safety notice to industry from Qantas Freight:
 
Qantas Freight is issuing a safety notice following an Airworthiness Directive from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) covering certain unsafe cargo nets manufactured by Aircraft Cabin Modification (ACM). READ MORE

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

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BIOSECURITY

Please click HERE to review the DAFF Biosecurity Report -  sponsored by EcoFum Container Fumigation Services

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TRADE

Trade Data Updates Week Ending 27th January 2026

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

LOGIN REQUIRED

Notices:

Anti-Dumping Notices Data Updates Week Ending 27th January 2026

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

BORDER

The National Committee on Trade Facilitation (NCTF) convened for its second and final meeting of the year at Australian Border Force (ABF) Headquarters in Brindabella Park, ACT. The Co-Chairs welcomed members to the meeting by thanking them for their continued engagement.

Amongst other updates from regulatory agencies. The ABF outlined progression on three trade modernisation initiatives:
• Early Detection of Illegitimate Trade:
• Modernising the Integrated Cargo System (ICS):
• Improving Speed and Security at Ports and Airports: 
READ MORE

Two NSW men charged for allegedly smuggling $32 million worth of heroin into Australia

Two Sydney men are expected to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court today (Tuesday, 27 January, 2026) after allegedly attempting to import $32 million worth of heroin into Australia, concealed in their luggage. READ MORE ( story credit AFP)

In the January issue of newsletter we cover

• Interactive decision tools

• Inventory notices
  READ MORE

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 

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

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