FTA / APSA - LATEST MEDIA SUPPORTING ADVOCACY - Calls for Urgent Regulatory Reform

As outlined in our member notice from Monday 3 November 2025, Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) continue to address member concerns about incontestable stevedore and empty container park price hikes with direct approaches to the Federal Government and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) – more detail to follow.
 
Importantly, FTA and APSA have led the industry's voice through strong media engagement, using public platforms to reinforce advocacy efforts and raise awareness across both metropolitan and regional Australia. Our messaging has focused on the broader economic consequences of these fee increases — particularly the added inflationary pressures, reduced productivity, and declining competitiveness of Australian exports in global markets.
 
We thank trade media Daily Cargo News and leading international publication the Journal of Commerce for their coverage as well as mainstream media via 2GB, Ace Radio Network and the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC).
 
Daily Cargo News  "Warm, fuzzy" landside guidelines not good enough, shippers say [PAYWALL]
SUMMARY
Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) director and Australian Peak Shippers Association secretariat Paul Zalai has criticised the latest terminal access charge (TAC) hikes by major stevedores, calling Australia's voluntary landside charging guidelines "a warm, fuzzy failure." Stevedores Patrick, DP World, Flinders and VICT announced fee increases of 5–15% (up to 45% at DP World Fremantle) effective 1 January 2026. Zalai urged government intervention to enforce regulatory oversight and in addition, repeal shipping line exemptions from competition law. DP World defended its charges, citing nearly $1 billion in investment for rail and terminal upgrades to expand Australia's trade capacity. Zalai also warned of unsustainable practices at empty container parks, labelling the current environment "the wild west," and pledged continued engagement with the ACCC ahead of its stevedore monitoring report.
 
Journal of Commerce Australian shipper groups call for legal curbs on terminal operator fee hikes [PAYWALL]
SUMMARY
Australian shipper groups are calling for federal legislation to curb steep terminal access charge (TAC) increases announced by major stevedores, with DP World Australia imposing the sharpest rise — 47.2% at its Fremantle terminal effective 1 January 2026. The Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) said the hikes, also introduced by Patrick Terminals and VICT, highlight the failure of voluntary oversight and warrant regulatory intervention. FTA's Tom Jensen confirmed the groups will meet with the ACCC to push for tighter controls on TACs and empty container park fees, noting the regulator has already flagged concerns in its monitoring reports. FTA director Paul Zalai urged laws requiring stevedores to negotiate charges directly with shipping lines rather than imposing uncontested fees on importers and exporters. DP World defended the increases, citing major infrastructure investments through 2028, while FTA warned the costs further erode supply chain competitiveness.
 
ABC Country Hour RECORDING [Start 11min : 37sec End 17min]
SUMMARY
Paul Zalai, representing Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA), spoke with ABC Country Hour's Angus Verley about the upcoming stevedore fee increases set to take effect on 1 January 2026. He highlighted the heavy financial impact these charges will have on Australian exporters and the inflationary pressures they will add across national supply chains. Zalai renewed the call for stronger regulatory oversight to deliver fairer and more transparent port pricing. During the segment, the ABC also read a prepared statement from the office of Minister Cathryn King, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, confirming that the government shares industry concerns regarding the continued escalation of stevedore charges.

Paul Zalai - Director FTA / Secretariat APSA