We look forward to joining industry leaders, partners and members at the 2025 DCN Awards to celebrate the remarkable contributions of our sector  NOMINATE NOW

FTA / APSA - OUT & ABOUT

Last Monday Tom Jensen, General Manager Freight Policy & Operations - FTA | APSA had a full day of visits across Sydney's air and sea freight network, seeing firsthand the impressive work underway by some of our key partners.

(above left) Tom also caught up with two of the very first people he worked with, his first boss/leader chris zanoni (Director at Asean Cargo Pty Limited) and one of his original colleagues Lamia Napoli (now also a Director). It was a great reminder that this industry is built on people and relationships. You never forget your first leaders, colleagues 

FTA / APSA - IN THE MEDIA

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FTA / APSA - UPCOMING EVENTS

Join Nick Hilliard and Wendy Maslin from SecondBite | FareShare for a practical, industry-focused webinar showing how easy it is for freight forwarders, importers, and exporters to donate surplus or unsellable food, with no red tape. Learn how your business can reduce disposal costs and make a real difference feeding Australians in need.

FTA / APSA - TRAINING

MANDATORY ABF CPD MODULE
 
FTA has received confirmation from the Australian Border Force that the Mandatory ABF Module for the customs broker licensing period ending 31 March 2026 will be scheduled in January 2026 and will need to be completed by 31 March 2026. The Department will publish an ACN closer to the date with further details.

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LOGISTICS

Patrick Terminals – Launch of Voluntary Rail Landside Efficiency
Initiatives for Sydney AutoRail

Patrick Terminals is pleased to announce the commencement of new voluntary landside efficiency initiatives related to Sydney AutoRail.

Patrick Terminals will commence the publication of additional details about the rail window schedule for Sydney AutoRail, as well as further rail landside performance metrics such as cancellation and arrival metrics.

Patrick Terminals will also begin to hold Rail Landside Efficiency Group meetings in Sydney commencing later in 2025. READ MORE

TT Talk: September 2025

This latest edition of TT Talk focuses first on freight crime - a serious and rising threat to the entire supply chain.

• Britain starts to clamp down on road freight crime

• Industry reports shed new light on container losses at sea
  READ MORE

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

Kwinana Bulk Jetty Berth Maintenance - 22 September to 5 October 2025

Westport Community Update

Westport is the State Government's planning program to resolve future container trade constraints in Western Australia by relocating container trade from Fremantle to Kwinana. This includes planning new port facilities, a connected road and rail freight system, and logistics operations. READ MORE

NHVR operation inspects more than 2,500 trucks for port safety breaches

Operation Quay saw more than 2,500 NHVR truck inspections around Australia's busiest ports, uncovering major safety concerns

More than 2,500 trucks were inspected across Australia's busiest ports during a national safety operation led by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR), with mechanical and mass non-compliance flagged as the top concerns.

Operation Quay ran from July 21 to August 17 at key port precincts including Port Botany, the Port of Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and Bell Bay. READ MORE (credit ATN magazine)

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

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SEAFREIGHT

World Shipping Council deploys AI in fight against misdeclared cargoes

The World Shipping Council (WSC), liner shipping's lobby group, has announced the launch of its Cargo Safety Program, an industry-led initiative to detect misdeclared and undeclared dangerous goods using artificial intelligence in order to prevent ship fires, protect crews, vessels, customers' cargo, and the marine environment.

The program combines AI-powered cargo screening and common inspection standards to identify misdeclared and undeclared high-risk shipments before they are loaded.READ MORE (story credit Splash)

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AIRFREIGHT

What Are the New Regulations and Standards in Air Cargo and Ground Handling Operations?

To prepare for the 2026 changes, airlines, ground service providers, freight forwarders, shippers, airports, and manufacturers need to stay informed on current and upcoming air cargo regulations. The key source for these updates is the IATA manuals.READ MORE

Also see some of the listed significant changes in The 67th edition of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations HERE

FAA imposes penalties after lithium-ion batteries catch fire during air transport

Recent fires involving lithium-ion batteries shipped via cargo aircraft highlight risks posed by such shipments and prompted the Federal Aviation Administration to dish out fines to three companies.

The agency disclosed the fines on 5 September, saying the companies violated hazardous material regulations. Two of the firms shipped packages that were carried by US express shipment airlines and that caught fire. READ MORE ( story credit AirCargo news)

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

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BIOSECURITY

Please click HERE to review the DAFF Biosecurity Report - sponsored by WiseTech Academy

BORDER

Mixed bag of illicit goods seized following operation across state borders

A separate ABF investigation began after ABF officers seized more than four million illicit cigarettes concealed behind a wall of bricks in a sea container which arrived into Fremantle, Western Australia, on 8 August 2025. It was later identified the shipment was an alleged 'piggyback' operation by a crime syndicate, with the illicit cigarettes added to a legitimate import unbeknown to the importer. READ MORE (story and picture credit ABF)

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TRADE

Trade Data Updates Week Ending 16th September 2025

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

LOGIN REQUIRED

In the latest update from Austrade they look at 

• Navigating US tariffs: changes to de minimis exemption

• On-demand Go Global Export Academy webinars

• Australian apples bound for Canada

• Aussie beef wowing visitors at World Expo Osaka
  READ MORE

Anti-Dumping Notices Data Updates Week Ending 16th September 2025

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

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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

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