Tasmanian Freight & Logistics Forum

Last week Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA), the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) and The Ship Consulting held the annual Tasmanian Freight & Logistics Forum in Hobart at the University of Tasmania. The event brought together industry, government and supply chain participants for what was a very real and at times confronting discussion on where things are at.

Tasmania (and Australia more broadly) continues to operate at the end of the global supply chain — and when disruption hits (Red Sea diversions still being a reality years on), it hits harder and lasts longer.

Whether it was the proposed Navigational and Port Services charge from Ports Victoria, or broader landside and shipping costs, the future of Bass Strait shipping, port development, and whether the Tasmanian trade should move further up river from Webb Dock, all topics lead to lively conversation.

A big thank you to all the sponsors, particularly TasPorts, University of Tasmania and the Australian Maritime College, for supporting the event and also Brett Charlton and Sal Milici for bringing it all together on the day.- READ MORE (extended commentary courtesy of DCN)

FTA / APSA - OUT & ABOUT

FTA / APSA - TRAINING

FTA / APSA - IN THE MEDIA

DCN - OPINION: Surcharges without scrutiny - Australia's weak spot in supply chain resilience

THE RESURGENCE of large-scale shipping line surcharges linked to the ongoing Middle East conflict has once again highlighted the imbalance between shipping lines and cargo owners — and the lack of meaningful protections available to Australian importers and exporters.

In response, Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) have written to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese calling for stronger protections.As vessels are re-routed to avoid the Red Sea, Suez Canal and Strait of Hormuz, shipping lines have rapidly imposed war risk, emergency conflict and fuel recovery surcharges, frequently layered on top of already elevated freight rates. While these disruptions are global, the way costs are passed on is not. READ MORE 

Fines, Duties & Uncollected Cargo - 2026 Risk & Resilience Webinar Series

Join James Cotis, John Thomson, and Karim Bizri for the fourth session of the 2026 Risk & Resilience Webinar Series, focusing on Fines, Duties, and Uncollected Cargo. This session will provide practical guidance on managing financial and operational risks in freight forwarding and supply chain operations. 

FTA/APSA Global Shipping Insights

Join us for our eighth session as we break down the FTA Monthly Shipping Report – April 2026

Understanding the Australia–EU FTA: What Customs Brokers and Forwarders Need to Know

Join us for a webinar presented by Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), providing a practical overview of the goods market access outcomes under AEUFTA — including tariff elimination, tariff rate quotas and what these changes mean in real terms for trade with the European Union.

FTA / APSA - UPCOMING EVENTS

2026 AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND SHIPPING & LOGISTICS CONFERENCE

2026 CARE-FACTOR INDUSTRY CHARITY TRADE BALL 

Notices:

LOGISTICS

Please be advised the terminal will not be operating on 01-MAY- 2026 (Road or Rail) to allow for upgrade of TOS (Terminal operating system) and MUA - STOP WORK MEETING.

Terminal closed May 1st  2026 - from 06:00 to 14:00 (dayshift)

Terminal has added shifts on the 2nd - 3rd to accommodate for closure.

01/05/2026- NIGHT SHIFT - 2200- 0600

02/05/2026- DAY SHIFT     - 0600- 1400   Slot drop will be 29/04/2026 @ 730am

03/05/2026- DAY SHIFT     - 0600- 1400   Slot drop will be 30/04/2026 @ 730am

03/05/2026- EVE SHIFT     - 1400- 2200   

Minister voices fuel concerns at freight forum

SOARING fuel costs and challenges surrounding the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme (TFES) have been highlighted at a public forum in Hobart. Tasmanian infrastructure and transport minister Kerry Vincent told the Tasmanian Freight and Logistics Forum that the global fuel situation was weighing heavily upon trade.

"The good news is Tasmania remains secure and well-connected to the national supply chains, with fuel continuing to move as expected," he said.

Mr Vincent said while fuel prices were influenced by global factors, governments could and should step in where possible to provide relief. READ MORE (story credit DCN)

Fuel pinch, supply conundrum takes a toll on truck operators

FUEL spikes and supply shortages have left container transport operators scrambling, with some making a switch from bulk to retail suppliers in the short term. 
 

A Brisbane container transport specialist, who requested to remain anonymous, said they considered switching to retail, but stopped short due to maintaining loyalty to their long-term bulk supplier. 

Container Transport Alliance Australia director Neil Chambers said the problem went beyond supply issues. 

"What we have now is not a fuel supply crisis, but a price and cash-flow crisis," Mr Chambers said.  READ MORE ( story credit DCN)

Notices:

SEA FREIGHT

PART X Competition & Consumer Act

Notices:

AIR FREIGHT

dnata earmarks A$32 million for cargo facility at Western Sydney International Airport

dnata, a leading global air and travel services provider, will invest approximately A$32 million to establish a dedicated cargo terminal operation at Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI), reinforcing its long-term commitment to the New South Wales market and Australia's aviation industry. 

Simon Hickey, Chief Executive Officer of WSI, said dnata was a terrific addition to the airport's premier 24-hour Cargo Precinct and would provide cargo and ground handling services for both international and domestic airlines, boosting the nation's critical supply chains. READ MORE

Qantas planned system upgrade outage - from 2 May

Qantas Freight will be upgrading its core freight booking and management system, with a planned system outage scheduled from 10pm AEST on Saturday 2 May to 5am AEST on Sunday 3 May. During this period, freight.qantas.com and Dock Direct will be unavailable.

This upgrade is an important step in modernising our digital environment, strengthening the reliability of our platform and preparing our systems for the technology requirements of the new Western Sydney freight terminal. READ MORE

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

Notices:

BIOSECURITY

Please click HERE to review the DAFF Biosecurity Report -  sponsored by Price & Speed

TRADE

Ongoing developments in the Middle East are having a significant impact on international trade. This affects freight availability and costs across a broad range of export markets.

Austrade's Trade Resilience Service provides trusted market intelligence, freight and logistics updates to help keep your exports moving. READ MORE

Trade Data Updates Week Ending 28th April 2026

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

LOGIN REQUIRED

Notices:

Anti-Dumping Notices Data Updates Week Ending 28th April 2026

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

BORDER

Customs treatment of goods, ships and aircraft travelling between mainland Australia and Australia's external territories

The Australian Border Force (ABF) administers customs legislation, on mainland Australia and across Australia's external territories, in accordance with customs rules that apply to each distinct part of the Commonwealth of Australia.The effect of these arrangements is that the ABF is required to treat each of these territories as being foreign to one another and mainland Australia. For example, a good that moves from Norfolk Island to mainland Australia is treated as:- READ MORE

Historic near-kilotonne of detections crush Australia's illicit tobacco supply chains

The Australian Border Force (ABF) has intercepted almost a kilotonne of illicit tobacco, and over 4 million vapes across the border continuum in four months following the commencement of Operation PRINTWALL.

ABF's expanded reach, strengthened controls and flexible partnerships approach has delivered extraordinary detections, choking the illicit tobacco and vape trade. 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