AMANDA BRADFIELD JOINS THE FTA TEAM - Head of International Freight & Logistics

Growing our representative strength in Western Australia alongside John Park and Bianca Flint, Amanda will interface with Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) members as the national lead on transport logistics' policy and operational support.
 
Amanda commenced with FTA on Monday 28 April and can be contacted at abradfield@FTAlliance.com.au or mobile 0402 012 853.

VALE - Stuart McFarlane

A true gentleman of the industry, Stuart McFarlane was a long-serving executive at Yusen Logistics, during which time he also served as a director of AFIF. He later continued his contribution to the industry as an employee of AFIF and, following the merger, with IFCBAA, retiring in 2023 due to ill health.

Earlier this week, Stuart passed away. He will be fondly remembered for his professionalism, leadership, and the warmth he shared with colleagues across the freight and logistics community. His contribution to the industry leaves a lasting legacy.

Stuart's funeral service will be held this Friday, 2 May 2025, at 1:00pm at Northern Suburbs Memorial Gardens & Crematorium, 199 Delhi Road, North Ryde. A celebration of Stuart's life will follow from 2:30pm at The Royal Oak, 36 College Street, Balmain.

We extend our deepest sympathies to Stuart's family, friends, and colleagues at this difficult time.

Fourteen days until Tassie Forum (14 May 2025)

We are now just two weeks away from the 2025 Tasmanian Freight & Logistics Forum, and after months of planning, anticipation is certainly building. Thanks to the outstanding support from our sponsors, we have been able to extend the early bird rate to the first 200 delegates.

The full program is now finalised, and we are proud to present an impressive line-up of speakers and panel participants.

Don't miss out — register now to secure your place!

FTA / APSA - TRAINING

2025-2026 CPD Border Compliance Program sessions are now underway with record numbers registering to attend the sessions. Content is delivered from an expert panel of presenters from across government and commerce. Please view the program and purchase your tickets via the links below. We recommend that you book now to secure the best rate.

MELBOURNE (Hyatt Place Essendon Fields)
9 May 2025 - Program HERE / Registration HERE 
10 May 2025 - Program HERE / Registration HERE 

PERTH (Double Tree by Hilton Perth Waterfront) (member early bird rate extended to 9 May 2025)
Saturday 24 May 2025 - Program HERE / Registration HERE

BRISBANE (Brisbane Airport Conference Centre)
Wednesday 4 June 2025 - Program HERE / Registration HERE  (member early bird rate closes 4 May)

FTA offers Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and Continued Biosecurity Competency (CBC) training online for the customs broker licencing period 1 April to 31 March each year. The cost of an online training package is $150 (excl. gst) for member organisations with bulk discounts available on a sliding scale. New content is now ready for your completion.

Licensed customs brokers not employed by a corporate FTA member, can purchase an Individual Membership which includes online CPD & CBC training for the cost of only $300 (excl. gst) per customs broker licensing period.

Please email Caroline at czalai@FTAlliance.com.au if you wish to purchase a package.

Note: For licensed customs brokers, attendance at each of these events will provide 4 CPD Points in Stream A (Continuing Professional Development).

FTA / APSA - ADVOCACY

Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA), the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) and the New Zealand Council of Cargo Owners (NZCCO) are collaborating under the banner of the Global Shippers Forum (GSF) Asia-Pacific Working Group.

To assist in our advocacy activity to achieve a fairer and more predictable international trade environment, we encourage members to complete a short survey:By completing this short survey, you'll contribute to the evidence base needed to support industry reform – and ensure your voice is heard as part of global representation through the GSF. READ MORE
 

FTA / APSA - OUT & ABOUT

FTA / APSA - IN THE MEDIA

FTA / APSA - UPCOMING EVENTS

LOGISTICS

Security Upgrade at Fremantle Ports - Planned Manual Gate Operations

Fremantle Ports will be undertaking a security system upgrade that will impact electronic gate access at Inner Harbour (NQ1, NQ4, VQ3 gates). During the changeover period, swipe card access will be temporarily disabled and gates will be operated manually.

Inner Harbour – NQ1, NQ4 and VQ3 Gates
 
Wednesday 30 April 2025

• NQ1 Gate: Manual operation from 0800 to 1100

• NQ4 Gate: Manual operation from 1200 to 1500

 
Thursday 1 May 2025

• VQ3 Gate: Manual operation from 0800 to 1100

Patrick (Brisbane) - Revised Hours due to Labour Day Public Holiday (QLD)

Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) have received notice of revised working arrangements which will apply at the Brisbane Autostrad Terminal for the period covering 3rd – 6th May 2025 as a result of the Labour Day public holiday long weekend in Queensland: READ MORE

Aurizon to launch Inbound Connect system at Port of Gladstone

Freight rail operator Aurizon will introduce the Inbound Connect vehicle booking and visibility system for its container terminal operations at the Port of Gladstone.

According to a communication sent by Aurizon to industry stakeholders in Gladstone recently, the introduction of Inbound Connect is expected to significantly improve terminal efficiency and safety.
READ MORE (credit DCN)

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

Notices:

SEAFREIGHT

Please be advised the MUA - STOP WORK MEETING will be held on the May 1st from 10:00 to 14:00. Please update your schedules.

Hutchison Ports (Sydney & Brisbane) – 60-Day Notice of Intention to change Landside & Ancillary Charges - Effective from 9 June 2025

Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) have received 60-day notice from Hutchison Ports (Sydney & Brisbane Terminals) in terms of Landside and Ancillary Charges effective from 9 June 2025. READ MORE

• Formal Notice HERE for Sydney

• Formal Notice HERE for Brisbane

DP World have advised that there will be an authorised stop work meeting at their Sydney Terminal on Thursday 1st May 2025 from 1000hrs until 1400 hrs. All Terminal Operations will cease during this period.

0600, 0700 & 0800 Slots will be released. Gates will close 0900 Sharp to allow DPW to clear the yard. Re-Open at 1400 hrs.

Notices:

AIRFREIGHT

Qantas Freight - Revised International Terminal Service Fees (TSF) - Effective 11 May 2025

Qantas Freight International Terminal Service Fees have been revised, with new charges effective from 11 May 2025. For full details, visit our website. 

Qantas Freight International Terminal Service Fees - Australia 11 May 2025

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

BIOSECURITY

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

Please click HERE to review the DAFF Biosecurity Report

BORDER

Please be advised that the ICS will be unavailable for a 5 hour period between Saturday 31 May 2025 and Sunday 01 June 2025. The outage will be from 23:00 on Saturday 31 May 2025 until 04:00 on Sunday 01 June 2025 and is necessary for system maintenance. Please note that UI will experience a confirmed outage and there is a potential outage for EDI messaging.

Industry clients should make arrangements to have cargo cleared outside of these hours.

Notices:

TRADE

Trade Data Updates Week Ending 29th April 2025

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

Notices:

Anti-Dumping Notices Data Updates Week Ending 29th April 2025

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

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 

1.1.2025:  Webinars & Recordings ... 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