FTA / APSA - ADVOCACY

Grain Trade Australia (GTA) has joined the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) and Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) in a growing alliance of peak industry bodies focussed on reform to international shipping supply chains. The containerised export of high volume low value commodities comes with its challenges in an environment with incontestable and rapidly increasing charges at our ports and with disruptions to a reliable supply of equipment and vessel availability. READ MORE

FTA / APSA - IN THE MEDIA

FTA / APSA - OUT & ABOUT

Last Thursday we held the FTA/APSA Christmas Networking Function 2023 in Brisbane at BrewDog . It was a great chance for our members and guests to let their hair down after another action packed year in our industry. Many thanks to our event sponsor in Compliant Customs - Australia

Freight & Trade Alliance have been collating data from various sources in relation to operating hours for service providers and government agencies over the coming Christmas / New Year period. The information can be seen at the below link, however we remind all members to stay alert to notices from Containerchain and OneStop as well as monitoring the various web sites for changes to what has already been received. This list will be updated as more info comes to hand and a final updated version will be released in next week's report. READ MORE

MANDATORY CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (CPD) MODULE

The Australian Border Force (ABF) have advised under the updated Australian Customs Notice No. 2023/23 that the mandatory CPD module is now available for completion.

ALL licensed customs brokers must complete this mandatory module by 31 March 2024

Please NOTE it is ONLY available via the ABF Australian Trusted Trader (ATT) training portal - read more.

REGISTER NOW

13 DECEMBER 2023 : WISTA VIC - Paint & Sip Christmas Function 

2024 CPD BORDER COMPLIANCE PROGRAM

3 MAY 2024 : NSW CPD Border Compliance Program 
4 MAY 2024 : NSW CPD Border Compliance Program
11 MAY 2024 : WA CPD Border Compliance Program 
31 MAY 2024 : VIC CPD Border Compliance Program
1 JUNE 2024 : VIC CPD Border Compliance Program
12 JUNE 2024 : QLD CPD Border Compliance Program

By registering for one of the above events you will receive a minimum of 21 customs broker Continuing Professional Developments (CPD) points issued on an attendance basis for the customs broker licensing period 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025 and complimentary online CPD and CBC access to meet your licensing and approved arrangement requirements for the period.

LOGISTICS

OneStop Revolutionises Rail Logistics with the launch of Rail Module

Panama Canal - Navigating through unprecedented drought and shipping disruptions

Tom Jensen, Head of International Freight & Logistics at the Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) has put together an update on the Panama Canal issues that addresses the severe drought-related challenges impacting global shipping. READ MORE

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

TT has recently revised and re-published its StopLoss guidance concerning the use of port and similar facilities for 'special events'. There are particular factors and risks to be considered. This twins with an article evaluating the increasing use of drones to provide security surveillance – together with a warning that such capability is wellunderstood by criminals as well.                READ MORE

Warehouse and Depot Security Identification Card (WADSIC)

Inbound connects thousands of participants in licensed Sec 77G Depot and Sec 79 Warehouses around Australia through its technology platform - FTA has partnered with Inbound to provide industry with an easy way to procure compliant WADSICs. -  READ MORE 

 Notices:

SEAFREIGHT

FTA & APSA are maintaining ongoing dialogue with senior management at DP World Australia to ensure members have the latest information on the ongoing protected industrial action around the DP World terminals nationally. An update on the PIA's and the EBA discussion can be seen at Update 19. The latest PIA information can be seen at Update 20. 

 
Update 19        Update 20 

 Notices:

AIRFREIGHT

Due to tropical Cyclone Jasper, flights to and from Cairns (CNS) and other ports in the region are expected to be significantly disrupted on 13 Dec 2023. Existing freight bookings will need to be reaccommodated if the flight your freight has been booked on is impacted. We recommend you rebook your freight for a later date as freight capacity is expected to be severely limited on 12 Dec, 13 Dec and 14 Dec 2023.

Notices:

BIOSECURITY

Voluntary fumigation of fresh cut flowers and foliage, during the Christmas and New Year period.

Freight & Trade Alliance has received the following notice in relation to Industry stakeholders, including importers, approved arrangements, freight forwarders and brokers that deal with imported cut flowers and foliage. READ MORE

Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) has been engaged with the Australian Border Force (ABF) and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry (the department) over the past few months in obtaining commentary and consensus on the correct delivery address to be declared on Formal Import Declarations following the publication of the Autumn 2023 Goods Compliance Update. READ MORE

Ian Ladner, Assistant DIrector, Cargo Operations Pathway WA has reached out to Freight & Trade Alliance on the below referenced matter.

Can please advise members that aircraft and aircraft parts that are entering Australia as full imports are inspected as cargo by the Cargo Operations Pathway inspectors, not by staff working at the international airport.
 
Scheduling bookings can be done through the Biosecurity Portal and contact to the Cargo Operations Pathway leadership team by emailing Cargo Ops WA - Cargo Managers IGWCargoManagers@aff.gov.au

Cargo Operations Snapshot 

The Department has advised industry that the Cargo Snapshot is currently under review for suitability and context.

While this review is undertaken the distribution of the snapshot will be paused. 

We will be in touch soon with further details.

 Notices:

BORDER

Freight & Trade Alliance would like to extend our appreciation and thanks to both the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry as well as Australian Border Force for their substantial engagement in this collaborative effort to assist members and industry. READ MORE

The Australian Border Force (ABF) is responsible for processing refund claims and drawbacks with payments administered through the Department Home Affairs financial systems.            READ MORE

Notices:

TRADE

Trade Data - 5th to 11th December 2023

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

Anti-Dumping Notices - 5th to 11th December 2023

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.

2023 sponsorship prospectus is available HERE