2026 AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND SHIPPING & LOGISTICS CONFERENCE

FTA / APSA - ADVOCACY

Austrade Seeks FTA Members Feedback on Simplified Trade System Pain Points

Following our recent meeting with Austrade, FTA is sharing an important industry survey now underway as part of the Government's ongoing work on the Simplified Trade System (STS). Austrade, together with border and regulatory agencies, is seeking FTA member feedback on how businesses are experiencing Australia's cross-border trade system — especially in relation to the six key 'pain points' previously identified through the STS Taskforce.

These pain points include:

1. Opaque and inconsistent processes – businesses face variable communication response times and uncertainty when seeking support to navigate the supply chain.
2. Hard to access information – navigating multiple information sources can be confusing, time consuming and costly.
3. Complex regulations – navigating complex regulations is challenging and costly.
4. Inflexible technologies – businesses experience inflexible, difficult to use technology experiences across multiple agencies.
5. Duplicative processes – businesses need to enter information multiple times and complete manual documentation.
6. Border delays – impacting the ability of businesses to plan their operations and predict the arrival of their goods.

The Government is now looking to understand how these issues have evolved over the past five years, with industry insights helping shape future reforms to streamline and modernise the trade environment.
FTA encourages all members to complete the survey and ensure industry views are heard.
The questionnaire takes around 10 minutes, can be completed anonymously, and closes Friday, 5 December 2025.

Complete the survey here:

For further queries, Austrade can be contacted via Ramesh Murthy – ramesh.murthy@austrade.gov.au, with interview requests directed to Ria Nerlikar – ria.nerlikar@nousgroup.com.

FTA will continue to work closely with Austrade and partner agencies to ensure member feedback directly informs improvements across Australia's trade, border and regulatory systems.

FTA / APSA - TRAINING

2025-2026 FTA ONLINE CPD & CBC TRAINING PACKAGES

MANDATORY ABF CPD MODULE
 
FTA has received confirmation from the Australian Border Force that the Mandatory ABF Module for the customs broker licensing period ending 31 March 2026 will be scheduled to go live on 1 January 2026. The Department will publish an ACN shortly with further details.

FTA / APSA - IN THE MEDIA

Freight & Trade Alliance have been collating data from various sources in relation to operating hours for service providers, shipping lines and government agencies over the coming Christmas / New Year period.

The information can be seen at the below link, however we remind all members to stay alert to notices from CargoWise / Containerchain and OneStop as well as monitoring the various web sites for changes to what has already been received. This list will be updated as more information comes to hand.

 READ MORE   
Changes / Additions received after 3 December will be highlighted as **NEW" each week

FTA / APSA - OUT & ABOUT

The festivities continued into the next day where Paul and Caroline Zalai were guests of Price & Speed (picture top) enjoying amazing hospitality and the company of members on spectacular Sydney Harbour Cruise.

While the workshop primarily focused on infrastructure, it also explored the efficiency and capacity of the State's supply chains under various future scenarios. Issues such as the resilience of international, interstate, and intrastate freight supply chains were explored, considering the external factors presented in the scenarios. The outcomes from the workshop will be further analysed and presented to the Minister early in 2026

FTA / APSA - UPCOMING EVENTS

Capital Trade Credit Solutions
Protecting Cash Flow in a Changing Trade Landscape

In this webinar, Jamie Draper and Jordan Penny of Capital Trade Credit Solutions will unpack how trade credit insurance can protect your business from bad debts, sharpen premiums, and give you the insights you need to trade with confidence.

FTA/APSA Global Shipping Insights

Join Tom Jensen and Amanda Bradfield for our forth session as we break down the FTA Monthly Shipping Report – November 2025,

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LOGISTICS

AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett makes statement to Senate Estimates 

"It is important I read this statement tonight because we know certain individuals, groups and organised crime are monitoring the public remarks made by the AFP."

"I will use Senate Estimates tonight not just to inform you of the invaluable work of the AFP, but to send a clear message to organised crime about how we will disrupt their unlawful activities, including the importation of illicit tobacco." READ MORE

FTA have received advice from ACFS that their Port Beach site will be closing, and as part of this transition, they will be migrating all under bond clients to our Hazelmere facility.

This change is part of our ongoing efforts to streamline operations and continue providing you with reliable and efficient service.READ MORE

Leading innovation – Inside the top office of Victoria's largest port terminal

Sean Mortell from ATN recently interviewed Bruno Porchietto, CEO - VICT. "He greets me with a soft smile and a handshake. A gentle yet assured voice. He is relaxed, joining me on a nearby table and unwinding. As we traverse his intriguing career to date, from Coca Cola to Argentinian ports and now to Melbourne's automated cranes at Victoria International Container Terminal (VICT), it feels like the company's CEO is a measured hand – professional, sleek and collected." READ MORE ( story credit ATN)

"In this final Industry Update for 2025, I would like to reflect on some of this year's highlights" - Saul Cannon, CEO Port of Melbourne:\

• $1 billion invested in port infrastructure since the commencement of the lease in 2016.

• Major projects such as the Webb Dock East Extension and the ongoing Swanson Dock West Remediation strengthen the port's supply chain

• Worked closely with the Victorian government on its updated Freight Plan for 2025-30
  READ MORE

Pilbara Port reaches renewable energy milestones

and there were more to follow READ MORE ( story credit DCN)

Sydney freight project to lift rail's share of container moves

to western Sydney, servicing a new intermodal terminal south of St Marys.READ MORE ( story credit DCN)

TT Club are delighted to invite you to join a range of insightful webinar sessions hosted by TT's Loss Prevention team over the coming months.

The team will delve into a range of topics which are significant to the supply chain in Asia, including the tank container supply chain, the risks of abandoned cargo and of temperature controlled cargo, mis-delcared cargo and container ship fires, and the emerging risks of warehouse fires. READ MORE

On 18 November 2025, the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, the Hon Catherine King MP, adopted the new Australian Design Rule 81/03 – Energy Consumption Labelling for Light Vehicles.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

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SEA FREIGHT

PART X Competition & Consumer Act

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AIR FREIGHT

Operating until March 2026, the service adds 34,650 seats to the market this season.

This connection is a vital boost for tourism, trade, business, and education, with China being WA's 4th largest international market—contributing $457 million to the economy last year. (story credit Perth Airport)

dnata Cargo - Terminal Services Fee  

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

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BIOSECURITY

Please click HERE to review the DAFF Biosecurity Report -  sponsored by TaluxIQ

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TRADE

Trade Credit Exposure: FTA Seeks Member Input

Strong member feedback on our push for direct importer EFT payments into the ICS has highlighted a wider issue — growing trade credit exposure as cashflow tightens and insolvencies rise.
FTA is exploring a group trade credit insurance program with Capital Trade Credit Solutions to deliver better coverage and lower premiums for members.
Tell us what you think by completing this short survey:

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Tariffs, Trump and the trade adjustment

CHINESE goods are increasingly being exported to Australia and other economies this year even as they have been deterred from the US market by higher tariffs.That was the verdict of an economic update from one of Australia's 'Big Four' banks Westpac notes.

According to the update, US tariffs have "not significantly altered global imbalances", but Chinese exports to the US had dropped as the Asian giant redirected trade to other economies, such as other Asian countries, the European Union and Australia."Recent US–China negotiations have eased tariff tensions, but the effective US tariff on Chinese goods remains close to 50%, up from around 20% at the start of the year," Westpac stated. READ MORE
(article credit to DCN)

Trade Data Updates Week Ending 2nd December 2025

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

LOGIN REQUIRED

Anti-Dumping Notices Data Updates Week Ending 2nd December 2025

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

BORDER

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

In the December issues of this bulletin we look at;

• Submit your PFAS response by 16 December 2025

• New annual report released

• Revisions to the Categorisation Guidelines in 2026
  
  READ MORE

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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 

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

Training, Finance & Events Enquiries
For the timeliest response from our team, FTA / APSA members are reminded to send training, finance, events and general administration enquiries to Training@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