Our thanks to Direct Couriers as a BRONZE sponsor of the
2025 Care-Factor Industry Charity Trade Ball

FTA / APSA - ADVOCACY

Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) has been invited by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to provide formal input into the development of national productivity reform priorities ahead of two major upcoming events:

In preparing our submission, FTA has been asked to contribute practical and nationally beneficial reform ideas, particularly those that reflect the interests of the international trade and logistics sectors. To contribute please email feedback to SMilici@FTAlliance.com.au by COB Friday 25 July 2025

FTA will continue to represent our members' interests and ensure trade and logistics issues remain visible in these national-level conversations.READ MORE

FTA / APSA - OUT & ABOUT

Western Australia's shipping and logistics community came together in full force on Saturday night (19 July) for the sixth annual WA International Trade Ball, held at The Westin Perth.

Spearheaded by three dedicated industry leaders - Sherie Le Brun of Direct Couriers, Emma Cribbin of Navia Freight and John Park of Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) - the event has become a cornerstone of the WA shipping calendar. This year, the event raised over $15,000 for Ruah's Luminos Project - an early intervention residential centre dedicated to supporting young people experiencing thoughts of suicide.

pictured L to R on the FTA table - Wendy Cullen and Graham Bullock (Bullocks Freightmasters) Amanda Bradfield,(FTA) Neil Mclagan, Craig Cowin, Clint Latta ( Compliant Customs) seated - John Park (FTA), Ann Park and Bianca Flint (FTA) (picture by Steve Flint)

FTA / APSA - IN THE MEDIA

ABC interview with Amanda Bradfield - Fremantle Ports Rates Increase

Last week Amanda Bradfield (Head of International Freight & Logistics - FTA / APSA) was interviewed by Geraldine Mellet on ABC Perth Radio in relation to the recent prices increases flagged by Fremantle Ports. While it is true that mooring and ancillary fees have risen significantly, our understanding is that these increases should result in only a marginal per-container cost once passed on by shipping lines to importers and exporters. Other port-related increases are likely to have a far greater impact, particularly through what is commonly known as the Terminal Handling Charge (THC). READ MORE

The recording can be found HERE from 35:25 mins

FTA / APSA - UPCOMING EVENTS

Not able to attend the 2025 Care-Factor Industry Charity Trade Ball in Sydney this Friday 25 July 

You may still like to support our chosen charity

Please make a donation HERE or register HERE to bid on our silent auction items.

Every contribution helps make a difference - help us reach our goal!

FTA / APSA - TRAINING

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.

Employees of members who do not require CPD points or a formal certificate/attainment statement can access webinar/seminar recordings on our main website HERE (corporate member password protected).

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

LOGISTICS

Flinders Port Holdings to undergo multi-million dollar investment

Flinders Port Holdings is set to invest more than $350 million into the Flinders Adelaide Container Terminal, which it owns and operates. The company says this investment is aimed at enhancing its operational capacity and efficiency. 

By developing adjacent land to the Terminal, the Empty Container Depot will double in capacity increasing both full and empty reefer capacity to over one hundred reefer points.READ MORE (story credit ATN)

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

Detailed planning and project development is underway for the upgrade of Anketell Road between Leath Road in Kwinana and Kwinana Freeway as part of the future Anketell Thomas Road Freight Corridor (ATRFC).

An integrated project team has been established to undertake the planning and project development works over the next 12 months. READ MORE

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

Fremantle Ports:
Adverse Weather Monitoring and Operational Guidance

Fremantle Ports would like to remind all port users and operators of the increased risk of adverse weather conditions. Strong winds, gales, and other severe weather events may impact vessel operations, berthing, anchorage management, and potentially cause disruptions across the supply chain.
 
For reference, a flowchart outlining the Harbour Master's decision-making process is attached. Please note that this is provided as a guide only. Under the Port Authorities Act, the Harbour Master retains sole discretion over decisions to evacuate or retain vessels within the port.
READ MORE

Notices:

AIRFREIGHT

Emirates Courier Express expands to Australia

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

Notices:

BIOSECURITY

Please click HERE to review the DAFF Biosecurity Report

BORDER

In recent weeks Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) member support line has received reports from members waiting roughly 3 months for Tariff Advice decisions.

FTA on behalf of members reached out to the Australian Border Force (ABF) and have received the following formal advice:"If you have lodged a request for an advance tariff ruling please be advised that current turnaround time is over 50 days due to higher than normal levels of demand.  Thank you for your patience in the matter and we will endeavour to have your tariff ruling completed as soon as possible"

The Department of Home Affairs' existing Gatekeeper certificate expires 24 August 2025. The Department will be renewing the certificate until 2027.The new certificate will apply to ICS Test messages from 30 July, and apply to ICS Production messages from 6 August 2025, after which all ICS EDI messaging clients must use the new Home Affairs certificate's public key. We encourage clients to take the opportunity to test between 30 July and 6 August
 

Details about the certificate cutover are on this page: www.abf.gov.au/help-and-support/ics/integrated-cargo-system-(ics)/using-the-ics/digital-certificates

A direct link to the new certificate is: https://www.abf.gov.au/help-and-support-subsite/files/ccf-e-mail-gateway-expires-2027.zip

This change does not affect client's own Gatekeeper certificates, and there is no effect on the ICS UI.

Please refer to ACN2025/18 for details.https://www.abf.gov.au/help-and-support-subsite/CustomsNotices/2025-18.pdf

Notices:

TRADE

Trade Data Updates Week Ending 22nd July 2025

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

On 17 March 2025, the Minister for Trade and Tourism announced the appointment of Mr Timothy Yeend to lead the next legislatively required independent review of the EMDG program.

Mr Yeend will review the quality of current program processes and delivery, with a focus on applicants' experience engaging with Round 4 of the program. READ MORE

Notices:

Anti-Dumping Notices Data Updates Week Ending 22nd July 2025

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

Notices:

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