FTA / APSA PUT SHIPPING IN THE MEDIA SPOTLIGHT

In parallel to our ongoing engagement with the ABC (Online, radio and TV), Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) are collaborating with the Australian Financial Review (AFR) in what will be week of feature articles increasing public awareness of shipping delays, costs and limitations.

Members will note the week-end's coverage Covid-19 shortages are a risk to recovery and yesterday's Shipping container shortage sparks electrical parts overhaul ... and more to follow in coming days featuring FTA / APSA members.

We received tremendous support from Sean Richards, Executive General Manager - Visy Logistics and immediate-past APSA Chair in publicly backing our call for a Federal Regulator to oversee shipping practices.

Our particular appreciation is also extended to Emma Connors, South East Asia Correspondent for her extensive engagement in leading this campaign and producing yesterday's PAGE 3 article titled Supply squeeze hits wharves as Visy backs calls for reforms.  

As well as highlighting our call for a federal shipping regulator, the article focussed on our commentary relating to international shipping dis-array, delays at transhipment ports, the US inquiry into ocean freight, limited capacity, exorbitant freight rates and surcharges and competing demands against empty container repositioning.

Importantly the article also highlighted the FTA / APSA advocacy for regulation to force shipping lines to be required to give a minimum 30 days' notice of pricing changes. This would match regulation in the US.

"That would give exporters half a chance to stay commercially viable, allowing them to decide whether to ship, and at what price, rather than operating with diminished margins and in some case at substantial losses," Mr Zalai said