FTA / APSA - ADVOCACY

VICTORIAN PORTS MINISTER ADVOCATES FOR A "MANDATORY CODE" TO OVERSEE STEVEDORE TACS

The Hon. Melissa Horne, Minister for Ports and Freight (Victoria) "I can confirm that I have recently written to Minister Catherine King, the Commonwealth Government Minister responsible for the ports sector, to advocate for her to further investigate the need to regulate stevedore landside access charges at Australian ports. Specifically, the Productivity Commission's Inquiry into Australia's Maritime Logistics Industry recommended introduction of a 'mandatory code' for stevedore pricing overseen by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission." .  
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FTA / APSA - IN THE MEDIA

Former ACCC Chair Graeme Samuels quoted… "In the case of the stevedores it's easy to say 'oh it's the bloody unions' that are the problem. Well, it's not," says Samuel. "We need to be looking at the charges the ports are imposing because they flow through in terms of the costs of the goods that are in those containers, which flows through to the consumers."

Patrick and DP World - the two biggest stevedore operators - increased their land-based charges at East Coast ports by about 26 per cent for imports and up to 50 per cent for exports, according to the Freight Trade Alliance (FTA). Fremantle is still owned by the state government and has caps on price rises stevedores can charge. Director of the Freight & Trade Alliance Paul Zalai says that these charges are then passed on to the transport operators. "While not privy to the commercial rents charged by privatised ports, stevedores claim this as a part of their justification for exorbitantly high Terminal Access Charges (TACs) administered against transport operators – a sector of commerce that has no ability to influence service or price and must pay whatever is demanded to pick up and deliver sea freight containers to our international gateways" 
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A full list of our extensive ongoing media coverage is available HERE

FTA / APSA - OUT & ABOUT

Tom Jensen, Head of International Freight & Logistics at Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) was privileged to have been invited to attend the latest Australia Awards networking event hosted by Wayne Striplin from Strategix. The event successfully gathered a diverse and accomplished group of Vietnamese lecturers, trainers, and business leaders in Brisbane, alongside local industry figures. The focus was on fostering collaboration and offering an insightful overview of the operational processes within the Supply Chain sector.

FTA / APSA - TRAINING & EVENTS

ALL licenced customs brokers are reminded to check their FTA Attainment Statement and complete their mandatory CPD training by 31 March 2024 to meet your customs broker licencing requirements for the current period. A total of 30 CPD points must be achieved, with a maximum of 12 CPD Points in Stream B and unlimited in Stream A.

The mandatory Continued Biosecurity Competency (CBC) Activity 23-24/01: List of Treatment Providers (DAFF) - CPD0123 should already have been completed by Class 19.1 NCCC accredited persons which provided you with 3 CPD Points in Stream A which can be counted towards your annual CPD Points.

The Australian Border Force (ABF) mandatory module must also be completed by 31 March 2024 and will provide you with a further 3 CPD Points in Stream B (refer below).

FTA offers a member online training package for $165 with further discounts for bulk registrations. 

If you need assistance or would like to purchase a package for the 2024-2025 customs broker licensing period, please contact Sally or Caroline on training@FTAlliance.com.au.

The Australian Border Force (ABF) have issued ACN 2024/10 to advise industry of the process for updating their Customs Broker Licenses for the period 1 July 2024 thru 30 June 2027. Please ensure your details are up to date and when received you action the renewal paperwork promptly by the deadline. READ MORE.

AUSTRALIAN BORDER FORCE (ABF) MANDATORY CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (CPD) MODULE

ABF advised under the Australian Customs Notice No. 2023/23 that 
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.

FTA SECTION 77G DEPOT & APPROVED ARRANGEMENTS FORUMS

LIMITED CAPACITY - DELEGATES TO BE ALLOCATED ON A "FIRST IN" BASIS

FTA, APSA and CTAA are delighted to host a series of upcoming Depot Forums where the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) and the Australian Border Force (ABF) senior officers will deliver presentations on emerging reforms and current compliance activity to assist in managing your Section 77G Depot and Approved Arrangement facilities. READ MORE

1 MAY 2024 : FTA NSW Section 77G & Approved Arrangement Forum 
10 MAY 2024 : FTA WA Section 77G & Approved Arrangement Forum 
15 MAY 2024 : FTA VIC Section 77G & Approved Arrangement Forum 
11 JUNE 2024 : FTA QLD Section 77G & Approved Arrangement Forum 

EARLY BIRD RATES AVAILABLE - REGISTER NOW TO SECURE THE BEST PRICE!

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.

OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS

LOGISTICS

Southeast Asia's largest air cargo network, Teleport, offers direct data connection for eBookings in CargoWise

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 

This issue provides new and ongoing activities for community to help you get the information you need and help us understand what's most important to you.

• Links to Webinars

• My Say Transport Survey ( closes 31 April)

• Navigate Newsletter
  READ MORE

TT Talk: diverse logistics industry challenges 

Logisticians around the globe may be practiced in adapting to the fast-paced, dynamic factors that are inherent in the freight supply chain. Nevertheless, the elements needing current consideration are truly diverse, including physical infrastructure, climate change, regulatory compliance and net-zero targets. READ MORE

The Port of Melbourne's Public Boat Tours are back on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 March 2024, with all proceeds going to support the thousands of courageous and resilient seafarers who work tirelessly to make sure our goods are delivered - 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. READ MORE

This issue of the Employsure Essential s addresses;

• The Fair Work Amendment (Closing Loopholes no. 2) Bill 2023

• Mental Health issues - redundancy / restructures
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Notices:

SEAFREIGHT

Notices:

AIRFREIGHT

Published 8 March 2024

International Terminal Service Fee invoices covering the period from 24 Sep 2023 commenced distribution in early Jan 2024.  

The latest invoice covering the week of 7 Dec to 13 Jan 2024 is being distributed to the normal recipients for invoices via email from 7 Mar 2024.

All remaining outstanding invoices will be distributed in the coming weeks and we'll keep you updated on when they're available.

Notices:

BIOSECURITY

Cargo Operations Snapshot 

The Department has advised the return of the Cargo Operations Snapshot. Members will see a few changes one of which is the addition of a section on Cargo Compliance. When viewing the report we suggest members note the Data Definitions on page 3.

March 11 Report   LOGIN REQUIRED 

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

In this exciting edition, we're featuring women in biosecurity in recognition of International Women's Day. Learn about the launch of the National Biosecurity Strategy Implementation Plan, the makeover of Spot the robot dog, a game-changing solution to tackle khapra beetle and the ballast water pilot. We're also sharing some promising news about the maritime recycling risk assessment trial and 'keep a TopWatch!' campaign video as well as the importance of staying alert to hitchhiker pests. READ MORE

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) have advised that they have moved to a new home for biosecurity innovation news. You can now find the latest news on the department's News and Media Centre and the Biosecurity Matters newsletter.
 
To ensure you don't miss any of our updates, they suggest members subscribe to the Biosecurity Matters newsletter to receive the next edition direct to your mailbox.

Notices:

BORDER

The Australian Government will abolish around 500 nuisance tariffs in the biggest unilateral tariff reform in two decades to boost productivity, reduce compliance costs for businesses and ease the cost of living for Australian families by over $120 million over the next four years. Treasury is seeking views from interested parties on the nuisance tariffs selected for removal ahead of finalisation of the list of tariffs. Have Your Say

This issue of the WCO news, amongst other stories, looks at "Engaging partners to expand evidence base knowledge" - overview of the work done to shed light on the efficiency and impact of some anti-corruption measures.   READ MORE

Depot penalties  - FTA seeking member feedback for informed compliance program

Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) is receiving advice from members indicating an alarming increase in the number of Australian Border Force (ABF) Infringement Notices being issued against Depot facilities licensed in accordance with Sec 77G of the Customs Act. FTA is seeking further feedback from members with details of the Infringement Notices to ascertain trends in the ABF focus and areas where concerted informed compliance attention is required.

Please send details of the Infringement Notice and associated circumstances to Tom Jensen (Head of International Freight & Logistics - FTA / APSA). All material will be treated on a confidential basis. READ MORE

Notices:

TRADE

Trade Data Update Week Ending 11th March 2024

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