FTA / APSA - ADVOCACY

Illegal Tobacco Trade : The untold story on legitimate trade

Reports indicate that billions of illicit cigarettes and tonnes of illegal tobacco enter the country each year, fueling a black market impacting the federal budget by $9.3 billion according to a recent Sky News commentary.

A 7NEWS Spotlight investigation aired on 14 June 2026 revealed how the market has shifted underground and into the hands of organised crime groups, with links to firebombings, extortion attempts and other targeted acts of violence. The investigation highlighted the urgent need for policy reform and enforcement strategies capable of disrupting this ruthless trade before it escalates further.
 

Since December 2025, FTA members have reported numerous consignments at Port Botany being "late-tagged" by the ABF, with Border Holds applied after vessel arrival. While most targeted containers ultimately prove to contain legitimate goods, these consignments can still be subject to significant delays and additional costs.

FTA has subsequently raised concerns with Transport for NSW, arguing that the application of storage charges in these circumstances may be inconsistent with provisions contained within the Port Botany Landside Improvement Strategy (PBLIS) Mandatory Standards, which require stevedores to provide extended storage relief in specified circumstances.

Providing this information is critical to strengthening our collective case for regulatory clarity and fair treatment under existing frameworks. Members are therefore urged to submit comprehensive details to tjensen@FTAlliance.com.au, including consignment information (vessel, voyage, and container number) along with ICS screenshots that clearly illustrate the timeline of events (including cargo report and import declaration lodgement and finalisation, and vessel arrival). READ MORE

FTA / APSA - OUT & ABOUT

Paul Zalai (FTA/APSA) was privileged to join the JAS Australia's executive team, staff, customers and suppliers at last night's launch of their impressive new Sydney facility. The purpose-built operation features three dedicated cool rooms, a large ante room for staging, a temperature-controlled dock, streamlined intake and uplift processes, and on-site fumigation facilities supporting both import and export activities.

FTA / APSA - TRAINING

Effective this year, the CBC activity includes both the learning and assessment component, which will only be delivered through the department's education and training platform, Learnhub.

All accredited persons must complete the CBC activity by Friday, 24 July 2026.

Further details are available HERE

FTA / APSA - IN THE MEDIA

Federal Budget 2026: Economic Outlook, Trade Risks and What Comes Next: Insights from Economist Saul Eslake Saul Eslake

Join renowned economist Saul Eslake for a timely webinar examining the 2026 Federal Budget, Australia's economic outlook, global trade developments and the implications for business and industry. Includes live Q&A.

FTA/APSA Global Shipping Insights

Join us as we break down the latest FTA/APSA Shipping Report - June 2026

FTA / APSA - UPCOMING EVENTS

2026 AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND SHIPPING & LOGISTICS CONFERENCE

2026 CARE-FACTOR INDUSTRY CHARITY TRADE BALL 

LOGISTICS

Marika Calfas gets King's Birthday gong

"I'm proud to be involved in supporting Australia's maritime trade needs, a critical part of our everyday lives and Australia's economy, together with the thousands of incredible people in the sector who work around the clock to keep our supply chains moving," Ms Calfas told DCN.  READ MORE (story credit DCN)

Port of Melbourne Releases "Trade in Review" Report - Record Volumes Highlight Resilience Amid Global Volatility

Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) are pleased to share that the Port of Melbourne has today released its inaugural Trade in Review report, providing a detailed assessment of trade performance for calendar year 2025 and early 2026 trends. Members are encouraged to take note of the findings, which reinforce the resilience of Australian supply chains despite ongoing global disruption. READ MORE

Hapag-Lloyd supports publishing eBLs via Galileo for faster, cheaper, safer exchange of trade documents based on DCSA standards

partners and platforms along the supply chain. The move is part of Hapag-Lloyd's commitment to reaching 100% eBL usage by 2030.READ MORE

Work commences on Ballarat Intermodal Freight Hub

WORK is under way on the $55-million Ballarat Intermodal Freight Hub, a major project which will move more freight by rail and help reduce emissions while driving jobs and economic growth in the region. The new rail infrastructure will support the movement of around 15,000 containers a year to the Port of Melbourne, with capacity for future growth.

More than 300,000 tonnes of grain annually is also expected to be transported to GWF' new flour mill, which is nearing completion. READ MORE (story credit Grain Central)

Northam transport and logistics hub delayed

A NEW transport and logistics hub at Northam, around 100 kilometres east of Perth, scheduled for a December completion, has been delayed until November 2027.
 

Over time, AvonWest will accommodate a range of businesses, from logistics and manufacturing through to technology-enabled and digital industries.

The estate will offer tenants the opportunity to improve turn-around times for large road freight operators.
READ MORE (story credit DCN)

Notices:

SEA FREIGHT

Giant cranes arrive at Hutchison Sydney

HUTCHISON Ports Sydney has this week welcomed the arrival of two giant new Quay Cranes to its ;Port Botany container terminal. According to Hutchison, these cranes are built to service "container ships of the future" with a capacity of more than 15,000 TEU.

These "behemoths" can service vessels with a beam of 23 shipping containers wide and can stack more than nine high containers on deck. Whereas existing Hutchison's existing quay cranes have a reach of 55 metres, these have an outreach of 79 metres.
READ MORE (story credit DCN)

Notices:

AIR FREIGHT

Freight to fly out of Nancy-Bird Walton airport from July 2026

It's taken 15 years of planning, seven years of construction and a year of testing, and now it's time to fly for real.

The Western Sydney International Airport (WSI), otherwise known as Nancy-Bird Walton Airport, will send out its first official Qantas Freight flight on Sunday, July 26.

While WSI will begin freight operations then, it won't be until 1 November 2026 that it will be open for night aircraft movements, in line with the Sydney Airport Curfew Act 1995. 
READ MORE (story credit ATN Magazine)

Menzies integrates freight forwarding subsidiary AMI

Ground handler Menzies Aviation is integrating its freight forwarding subsidiary Air Menzies International (AMI) to offer a broader service to customers. Under the integration, AMI, which provides wholesale airfreight services, will continue to operate under its own brand but will become part of the Menzies Aviation Cargo division led by Beau Paine, executive vice president of cargo, and the company's regional divisions.

The company said it would now be able to offer ground handling, cargo management, freight forwarding and e-commerce capabilities through Menzies Cargo.
READ MORE (story credit Air Cargo News)

Melbourne Avalon looks to Saudi trade opportunities

MELBOURNE Avalon Airport is looking to establish a direct air freight corridor between Australia and Saudi Arabia, signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Australia Saudi Logistics Alliance (ASL Alliance).

The agreement is said to build upon "growing momentum" for direct cargo connectivity between the two nations after the recent announcement of Saudia Cargo's planned entry into the Australian market. READ MORE (story credit DCN)

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

Notices:

BIOSECURITY

Please click  HERE   the DAFF Biosecurity Report -  sponsored by AUSTRADE

In this edition of Biosecurity Matters we look at;

•  The 2026 Australian Biosecurity Awards 

• Detector dog teams protect Australia's border

• National Biosecurity Strategy Annual Report released

• Building First Nations pathways into Biosecurity
  READ MORE

Notices:

TRADE

FTA have added the Xe exchange rate widget to the right sidebar on our FTAlliance.com.au home page, so members can easily convert using live rates provided by our affiliate partner in Xe.

It also has a link to the Xe/FTA landing page for members to create a free account with Xe.

Trade Data Updates Week Ending 16th June 2026

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

LOGIN REQUIRED

Notices:

Anti-Dumping Notices Data Updates Week Ending 16th June 2026

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

BORDER

Austal launches first patrol boat for Australian Border Force

AUSTAL Ships has launched the first of six Evolved Cape–class Patrol Boats (ECCPB) for the Australian Border Force (ABF).
 

Austal is enthusiastically contributing to the expansion of the ABF fleet once again and looks forward to delivering a vessel that will satisfy its important mission requirements.

"We remain grateful to the ABF and the Commonwealth of Australia for their confidence in Austal and collaboration with us."

The 58.1 metre ECCPBs are designed to support a wide range of missions, including border protection, and feature enhanced quality-of-life systems and sustainment technologies.
READ MORE (story credit DCN)

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