Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) has been in daily contact with a range of government agencies to ensure members / industry are kept up to date with the ever changing "coronavirus" situation.
Below we have provided some updates on where we currently stand however as mentioned above the situation is ever changing and as late as this morning we are receiving commentary from various sources that refers, in the main, to a 14 day quarantine period for vessels / crew destined for Australian ports.
FTA have been in contact with a number of government agencies as well as port authorities to seek clarification on what is actually correct. As soon as this is confirmed we will update members so that clarity prevails.
Trade Media Commentaries
Further in an update provided by the Minerals Council of Australia, the following media references have been provided (media subscriptions are required to access the full articles).- Australian business is bracing for a second wave of hits from the coronavirus as countries close the door to Chinese tourists and the Chinese economy slows to a near standstill, the Australian reports. Matt Comyn, the chief executive of the Commonwealth Bank, described the virus on Monday as a 'headwind'. Elizabeth Gaines, chief executive of iron ore miner Fortescue Metals Group said the situation was evolving and noted it had not affect any physical shipments of iron ore from Australia to China. Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce noted the airline's flights to China only represented 2 per cent of its international business. Margy Osmond, the chief executive of the Tourism and Transport Forum, said the tourism industry would be looking for support from the federal government after being hit with the bushfires and the coronavirus.
- China's isolation amid the coronavirus outbreak, a rare freeze-out for such a vital economic centre, is rippling around the world the WSJ reports. Uncertainty over the virus has disrupted global trade and supply chains, depressed asset prices and forced multinational businesses to make hard decisions with limited information.
Department of Health
FTA have also been provided with some additional fact sheets that members / industry may find of use especially when handling inbound cargoes. Information can also be found at the Department of Health website
Home isolation guide
Information for Border Workers
ncov information sheet
Coronavirus update
Return to work:
From our members feedback impacts, both air & sea, at present have been tempered due to the traditional Chinese New Year (CNY) holiday period. The biggest issue is trying to contact those in offices that may have access to communication channels. Our latest advice is that a return to work for those in Shanghai, Beijing, Chongqing, Anhui, Fujian, Guandong, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang will be Feb 9 with the those in Hubei province having been advised to stay home till Feb 13.
Singapore MB shortage:
As an update on the MB issue in Singapore, we are advised that as of February 1 the treatment provider on the PSA footprint has now resumed full service capability and this has been advised to the Singapore forwarding community.
Shipping:
Earlier advice on this is still current, that being most cargo terminals are relying on direction from the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (the department) based on information provided by vessel operators prior to arrival. Some delays may be experienced with container availability.
As regards shipping lines and any allowances as regards detention / demurrage due to lack of documents to progress clearances we have reached out to Shipping Australia but are yet to receive a response.
Border:
In addition confirming our earlier advice on issues relating to ChAFTA certificates of origin - importers must pay normal rates of duty and claim a refund when certificates of origin can be obtained (there is a 12 month window post importation)
Biosecurity:
We have reached out to the department to seek their direction where situations may arise where paperwork required for clearance may need amendment,or is not available, to see what actions can be taken by the broker to action a clearance with retrospective action taken to obtain the correct paperwork. We will update as soon as a response is received.
FTA will continue to monitor the situation and keep members / industry updated as needed. |