FTA / APSA - ADVOCACY

ACCC Green Light the DP World Australia Acquisition of Silk Logistics Holdings 

Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) provided detailed submissions and compelling evidence to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), urging intervention to block DP World Australia's proposed acquisition of Silk Logistics. This stood in contrast to other industry bodies, some of whom publicly dismissed the likelihood of a successful challenge from the outset. The resulting mixed messages may have influenced the ACCC's decision to approve the acquisition — a move that sets a concerning precedent for further vertical integration by dominant market players expanding services across transport, freight forwarding, and customs brokerage sectors.
 
As reported in Daily Cargo News, the ACCC acknowledged the risk that DP World may discriminate against competitors, yet declined to act, stating the acquisition would not "substantially" lessen competition.
 
FTA/APSA Director Paul Zalai commented:
"This decision sends a dangerous signal — that market dominance is negotiable and regulatory intervention optional."
 
FTA and APSA will continue to advocate for stronger safeguards, including the introduction of a mandatory code of conduct and the enforcement of genuine competitive neutrality.

FTA / APSA - OUT & ABOUT

John Park and Amanda Bradfield were fortunate to spend some time yesterday at the Intermodal North Quay Rail Terminal (NQRT) where the two Chris' Chris McGrath (Safety & Compliance Advisor (left in pic above) and Chris Hunter (Operations Manager) took us around and showed us the impressive operations. The rail services 3 Inland Terminals ( Kwinana, Kenwick and Forrestfield) and is now sitting at about 28% of Fremantle Port volume. A huge thanks to the team for the warm welcome and fascinating tour. Infrastructure like this is critical to a smarter, cleaner supply chain.

FTA / APSA - IN THE MEDIA

DCN - FTA and CTAA express concern over ACCC approval of DP World's Silk Logistics acquisition

Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) have expressed concern over the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's (ACCC) decision to approve DP World Australia's acquisition of Silk Logistics with no opposition, calling it a "dangerous precedent".

Mr Zalai warned that while DP World may argue the integration will deliver efficiencies, in reality it risks "driving out smaller and mid-sized operators, reducing choice and innovation, and ultimately inflating costs for shippers and Australian consumers." READ MORE

FTA / APSA - UPCOMING EVENTS

Only 3 weeks to go....

Act now so you don't miss out on this great evening.

Time to organise your frock, dancing shoes and book a table.
 

Join us for the 2025 Care-Factor Industry Charity Trade Ball on Friday 25 July 2025 at the Fullerton Hotel, Martin Place, Sydney.

FTA / APSA - TRAINING

FTA offers Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and Continued Biosecurity Competency (CBC) training online for the customs broker licencing period 1 April to 31 March each year. The cost of an online training package is $150 (excl. gst) for member organisations with bulk discounts available on a sliding scale. New content is now ready for your completion.

Licensed customs brokers not employed by a corporate FTA member, can purchase an Individual Membership which includes online CPD & CBC training for the cost of only $300 (excl. gst) per customs broker licensing period.

Employees of members who do not require CPD points or a formal certificate/attainment statement can access webinar/seminar recordings on our main website HERE (corporate member password protected).

Please email Caroline at czalai@FTAlliance.com.au if you wish to purchase a package.

LOGISTICS

Port of Newcastle gaining green traction

The Port of Newcastle will play a major role in everything we do going forward. Federal member for Newcastle, Sharon Claydon said "This is the most significant clean energy precinct of any port in Australia - hands down"  READ MORE ( story and picture credit DCN)

Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) wish to inform members of important upcoming changes announced by the Department of Home Affairs regarding the renewal of its Gatekeeper certificate.

The Department's existing Gatekeeper certificate will expire on 24 August 2025, and a new certificate will be introduced, valid until 2027.

On the back of some queries from members FTA would like to advise that this change has nothing to do with your own DigiCert-issued certificates. The change only relates to the public key of the Department of Home Affairs Gatekeeper certificate, which is used to encrypt messages sent to the Department and to verify messages received from them. Your organisation's own certificates issued by DigiCert remain valid and do not need to be replaced.

We have also seen communication from Cargowise as follows " This process has been fully automated in the CargoWise system, so the new Department of Home Affairs' Gatekeeper certificate will be automatically loaded into your CargoWise system for you" 

If you have further questions, you might also want to check directly with your EDI software provider for additional reassurance, however the ABF has advised that an ACN is to be issued later in July to formally outline the changes.
 

Environment and resilience, key themes of NSW Ports Sustainability Strategy

NSW Ports chief executive Marika Calfas said the successful completion of the initiatives in the previous strategy provided "a strong platform" for achieving long-term sustainability objectives. READ MORE (story and picture credit DCN)

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

Traffic changes and night works are required on the following roads to remove concrete medians to prepare for construction of a temporary roundabout.
Stirling Street and Ord Street Intersection | Tuesday 8 July to Tuesday 22 July 2025*
Out of hours works - 7pm to 6am
Fremantle, North Fremantle and East Fremantle | 
From Sunday 15 June to Sunday 27 July 2025* 7pm to 6am
READ MORE

TT Talk: July 2025

In this issue read about

• What autonomous ships mean for ports

• Improving loading dock safety

• CINS Guidelines for Shipping Lithium-ion Cells in Containers

• Hidden dangers of fire initiating cargoes explained
  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

Notices:

SEAFREIGHT

Brett Charlton, a prominent logistics figure and Freight and Trade Alliance Tasmanian representative, said while this temporary measure provided confidence, Tasmanians were "eagerly awaiting the comprehensive review with hopes that there are measures in place to ensure that the scheme is indexed to rising costs" READ MORE (story and pic credit DCN)

Notices:

AIRFREIGHT

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

Notices:

BIOSECURITY

Please click HERE to review the DAFF Biosecurity Report

BORDER

The outage will be from 23:00 AEST on Saturday 19 July 2025 until 04:00 AEST on Sunday 20 July 2025 and is necessary for system maintenance. Industry clients should make arrangements to have cargo cleared outside of these hours. 

Australian Border Force apologises for any inconvenience caused.

Notices:

TRADE

Trade Data Updates Week Ending 8th July 2025

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

Notices:

Anti-Dumping Notices Data Updates Week Ending 8th July 2025

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

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 

1.1.2025:  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.

Sponsorship prospectus is available HERE