 | This CTAA e-News is sponsored by CTAA Alliance Partner: Matchbox Exchange Matchbox Exchange has launched its "COVID-19 Support Package" offering current users the opportunity to "Help a Mate" become an approved registered user of the service, and in so doing both parties will be rewarded with a $100 credit for empty container Re-Use and Exchange bookings on the Matchbox Exchange platform. Read More |
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COVID-19 Container Logistics Contingency Planning
As outlined in previous CTAA eNews (see: Here), CTAA is assisting governments, port operating companies and the landside container logistics sector to consider contingency planning scenarios given the uncertain trade outlook due to the COVID-19 pandemic response in Australia.
See associated international media coverage: Here |
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 | Port of Melbourne Contingency Planning UpdateCTAA is collaborating closely with the Port of Melbourne to anticipate and work to overcome supply chain constraints which may occur in the worst case scenario.
This has included the identification of potential sites within the Port precinct, and beyond, which could be used for additional full and empty container storage, as well as spare warehousing capacity.
PoM has produced its latest Port Supply Chain Update, including a very useful graph on the "waves" of container supply chain activity witnessed and forecast.
The sector will likely enter a wave of suppressed demand within the next few weeks once the current backlog of import containers, particularly from China, are processed through the chain.
Containerised exports will likely suffer as a result in the next wave, as suitable container equipment becomes more unavailable, and vessel "blank sailings" increase.Download Port of Melbourne Update Here |
 | CTAA COVID-19 Emergency Space Register
A possble scenario in the coming weeks may be a need for forwarders / importers and their logistics providers to require "emergency" space to perhaps store full (or empty) containers, or to locate additional warehousing space.
This scenario might be likely if the "customer" end of container logistics supply chains slows or even stops due to prevailing economic conditions, or possible additional shutdown restrictions.
While container transport logistics providers will seek to satisfy their direct customers' needs, CTAA has determined that information available to all on possible additional storage space may assist.
Container Logistics and Warehouse Providers across Australia are encouraged to register their available space (free) on the CTAA COVID-19 Emergency Space Register. The Register will be made available widely by CTAA throughout the container logistics supply chain in all States, in conjunction with other representative bodies such as Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA).
Advertise Storage Space on the CTAA COVID-19 Emergency Space Register |
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Victorian Economic Outlook
The Victorian Deprtment of Treasury & Finance has issued a sobering economic outlook for Victoria caused by the coronavirus. |
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Under the modelling, the Victorian economy is anticipated to contract in the June quarter of 2020, with real GSP estimated to be about 14 per cent lower in both the June and September quarters than forecast in the 2019-20 Budget Update.
The unemployment rate could rise to 11% and house prices could dip by 9%. The road to recovery could be long, with Victoria likely to record negative economic growth in 2019-20 and 2020-21.
Read More |
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| Freight Logistics COVID-19 State & National Updates |
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| National COVID-19 Coordination Commission - IR Working Group |
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In March, the Prime Minister established the National COVID-19 Coordination Commission to coordinate advice to the Australian Government on actions to anticipate and mitigate the economic and social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Key amoung the Commissioners in relation to the freight logistics sector are Paul Little AO, focussing in part on transport & logistics and supply chain, and Hon. Greg Combet AM, on employment, labour force and industrial relations.
The NCCC has established an IR Working Group, chaired by Greg Combet, to address industrial relations pinch-points as we deal with current workplace restrictions, and as the economy normalises.
Read More |
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Governments Turn Up Heat on Stevedore Infrastructure Charges
Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) representing freight forwarders / customs brokers, importers and exporters (through the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA), has continued to lead the advocacy effort to governments about the stevedores' landside infrastructure (terminal access) charges. |
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The Victorian Minister for Ports & Freight, Hon. Melissa Horne, has said she was "disappointed to learn that DP World is to increase its access charges again for importers at the Port of Melbourne for the second time in four months at short notice …".
The Minister has also indicated that DP World's decision runs counter to the Victorian Government's commitment to pricing transparency, and points clearly to the need for new standards that the Government is developing.
The NSW Minister for Transport, Hon. Andrew Constance, has also written to the stevedores with concerns about infrastructure charges and the impact on cash-flow during the current pandemic response. The Minister has instructed Transport for NSW to engage with container transport operators and the steveores in NSW to find a solution to the negative cash-flow impacts, including reviewing payment terms.
Following feedback from CTAA alliance companies in NSW, CTAA has raised suggested reasonable temporary payment term solutions that could be implemented during the current hard economic times.
Correspondence has also been exchanged with the QLD Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Mark Bailey.
Read More |
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Safe Container Loading & Heavy Vehicle Safety
There have been further container truck roll-overs recently in which load shift inside the container may have been a contributing factor - for instance, see: Here
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CTAA continues to work with the NHVR and the Commonwealth Government, along with FTA/APSA and WiseTech Global, in the development of our Safety Container Loading Practices and Heavy Vehicle Safety Awareness Campaign.
The Campaign will be rolled out this year to raise awareness of the need for safe loading and cargo securing practices in international shipping containers (import & export).
Meanwhile, CTAA Alliance company, South East Queensland Hauliers (SEQH), has brought attention to a case study on poor container loading practices that could have had serious safety consequences landside, as well as on the vessel at sea.
See the relevant LinkedIn post from SEQH BD Manager, Nathan Craner: Here |
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 Container Transport Alliance Australia (CTAA) is strong Alliance of leading businesses engaged in the container transport logistics industry.
CTAA Alliance companies account for the majority of containerised freight handled in capital city ports in Australia.
Visit our website: Here or consider joining? - ask us Here |
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