"coronavirus" - Update 9 / Teleconference Outcomes

On behalf of Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) I participated in a teleconference call earlier today that was organised by the Australian Border Force (ABF) and chaired by Bradley Armstrong Group Manager Customs Group to update industry on matters as regards the "coronavirus" and impacts on both passengers and cargo.

The main message from the meeting was that all government agencies are working together to monitor the situation as it develops daily. Whilst FTA, Port Authorities, Shipping Lines and other organisations will keep members / industry updated the initial source of all material and the latest information is the Department of Health and in particular their resources page which has a range of fact / information sheets under the "information materials " link. (some of these that have recently been issued / updated are shown below.)

As mentioned this is a very fluid situation and updates to processes / policies etc are being adjusted as more information comes to hand.

In the course of the meeting FTA sought to clarify the issues surrounding the berthing / pilotage of vessels that may not have had a period of 14 days sailing from their last mainland China port of call.

The current situation is that the ABF and Department of Health have issued statements (see below links) that specify additional requirements for vessels arriving at Australian Ports. The answers provided by vessel operators will be assessed and action taken as appropriate. Advice from the meeting was that the relevant Port authorities may also put in place additional measures as they see fit.

The ABF also advised that the 14 day period will be monitored / reviewed and adjusted as conditions change.

In previous mail campaigns FTA also advised of a process that had been put in place by the Port Authority of NSW in that they would delay pilotage services to a vessel that had not met the 14 day sailing time period (leaving the vessel at anchorage until the period had elapsed). FTA have spoken to the Port Authority of NSW this morning and whilst these processes are still in place they have not as yet needed to implement them as all arriving vessels have met / exceeded the 14 day sailing period.

FTA understands that other ports, and we have confirmed this with Fremantle Ports, are adhering to the procedures as noted in the attachments below and will act both on advice from the various government agencies and responses provided by vessels prior to arrival. 

The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment also advised they were adding 3 additional questions to their pre-arrival requirements which will allow them to more accurately assess the risk of vessels / crew arriving in Australian ports. Until such time as IT systems can be updated these questions will be addressed via email communications.

As to the impact of cargoes that are being transshipped through other ports to / from Australia we were advised as follows
Imports - at this stage transshipment ports have their own procedures in place to assess the coronavirus impacts however at this stage we believe they are not preventing vessels from berthing and discharging cargo. 

Exports - we understand that transshipment cargo destined for China is being held up in Singapore until operations resume in China. It  would appear there is a preference to delay cargo at transshipment rather than have it stuck at the final destination.

Blank Sailings
The coronavirus may also potentially impact some liner services currently provided in accordance with Part X of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (the Act).
 
As a result of the virus and associated containment measures being implemented by authorities globally, it is anticipated there may be some disruption, including possible blank sailings, impacting liner services agreements registered under Part X of the Act.
 
Given the unpredictability of this event and fluid nature of both its development and the associated response, the Registrar for Shipping has contacted the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) noting that the provision for 30 days' notice to shippers informing them of associated blank sailings, as required by section 10.41(2) of the Act, may not be able to be met by parties to the agreements.
 
FTA / APSA will communicate any formal notifications of Blank Sailings as received via the Registrar for Shipping.

The latest issue of new and updated information sheets discussed at the meeting are attached below for your reference and circulation as required.

Information for cruise industry
Information for marine industry
Information for marine pilots
Advice to commercial vessels

To stay abreast of all developments and general information concerning the Novel Coronavirus we suggest members maintain a watching brief on the Department of Health website 

FTA will continue to monitor issues surrounding the coronavirus and keep members updated as necessary.