2026 CARE-FACTOR INDUSTRY CHARITY TRADE BALL 

2026 AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND SHIPPING & LOGISTICS CONFERENCE

FTA / APSA - ADVOCACY

FTA / APSA Lodges Submissions on NSW Port Reforms

FTA/APSA has lodged two detailed submissions to the NSW Government on the proposed changes to the Ports and Maritime Administration Regulation 2025 and the updated PBLIS Mandatory Standards and Performance Benchmarks. Our message throughout is consistent: industry supports genuine modernisation, but not reforms that weaken oversight or dilute accountability.

The submissions call for the State to retain its pricing powers in full, noting the continued escalation of Terminal Access Charges and ECP notification fees. They emphasise the importance of maintaining strong, enforceable standards across truck turnaround, slot release, queue management, VBS uptime and yard operations, and highlight the need to bring Empty Container Parks, rail interfaces and stack runs into future regulatory frameworks.

FTA/APSA also supports reforms that improve dangerous goods processes, environmental transparency and electronic data reliability, while stressing that freight forwarders, customs brokers, importers, exporters and logistics providers remain exposed to significant cost pressures without meaningful leverage over these charges or service levels.

FTA/APSA will continue working closely with Transport for NSW to ensure the final reforms strengthen — rather than erode — the protections and performance expectations that industry depends on. 

For further information and access each submission, click HERE.

Austrade Seeks FTA Members Feedback on Simplified Trade System Pain Points - REMINDER

Austrade, in partnership with Australian Government border and regulatory agencies, is seeking your feedback on common challenges businesses face when trading across borders. Your input will help shape improvements to Australia's trade system.

This survey takes around 10 minutes and responses can be anonymous. Please submit before 12 December 2025. Click here to complete the survey

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience and help improve Australia's trade processes.

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

What a fantastic night at Brewdog Murrarie for the Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) Queensland Christmas Networking Function. A brilliant turnout and an even better atmosphere as we wrapped up 2025 with plenty of laughs, stories, and industry banter over some well-earned beverages
Nights like these remind us that beyond the container counts and compliance codes, this is a community — connected by shared challenges, collaboration, and good cheer.
(above pictured left are Tom Jensen and Sam Smeaton  - Logihire)

Wow, what an incredible turnout last week for the Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) WA Christmas Networking Function at 8 Knots in East Fremantle.The industry really came together and celebrated the end of 2025 in true WA style, partying hard on a work night! There was a lot of conversations .. from the bridge closure and the ongoing road vs rail debates, software issues and plenty of BMSB and fume chatter A big thank you to Amanda Bradfield and Bianca Flint for all their support on the night 

THANK YOU

With all FTA Christmas Networking functions now complete we would like to express our thanks to all our members for their support during the year, If you attended one of our Christmas events we trust you enjoyed the night and camaraderie. A huge shout out also to all our sponsors - Logihire | Capital Trade Credit Solutions | Wisetech Global | UBEECO Packaging Solutions | Clear ai | #Meshed Up (Victoria) | Luckens Fumigations (Western Australia)

FTA / APSA - UPCOMING EVENTS

Notices:

LOGISTICS

Swan River Crossings – Fremantle Traffic Bridge Project: Announcement of Bridge Closure Date: 1 February 2026

The WA Government has confirmed that the Fremantle Traffic Bridge will close to all traffic on the 1^st of February 2026 for up to 12 months (Media Statement), with the construction schedule being reviewed on an ongoing basis and programme expedited where possible. More information and handy guides can be found HERE

There was much talk about both the challenges and opportunities back in 2005, with the observation that they knew automation would work, albeit the question was whether it would work in an acceptable timeframe.  READ MORE (story credit DCN)

TT Talk: December 2025

In the latest edition of TT Talk we look at

• IMDG Code amendment 42-24

• Bulk cargo storage fire risks

• Update: Book it right and pack it tight

• TT Brief - Lithium-ion batteries
  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:

SEA FREIGHT

Notices:

AIR FREIGHT

Christmas boost for global air cargoes

A RISE in global air cargo volumes of 5% in November (year-on-year) has led to suggestions of Christmas having come early for the aviation sector. But this rise in volumes was tempered with reports e-commerce growth from the past two years had slowed, according to market analysis from Xeneta. 

While demand outlook looked flat heading into the last four months of 2025, September and October's demand levels were described as "surprisingly robust". The continuation of this upward trend in November kept the market on track to deliver growth more than 4% for 2025, ahead of predictions for a challenging 2026. READ MORE ( story credit DCN)

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

Notices:

BIOSECURITY

Please click HERE to review the DAFF Biosecurity Report -  sponsored by Price & Speed

Notices:

TRADE

Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator the Hon Don Farrell, and guests across Australia celebrated the 14 category winners at an awards ceremony at Parliament House.

Western Australia's Premier Metal Recyclers was crowned the 2025 Australian Exporter of the Year, after winning the Sustainability and Green Economy category award. The clean-tech company refines end-of-life metal and exports the reclaimed materials worldwide. READ MORE

In this edition of the EMDG newsletter we provide an update on the most recent grant round (Round 4), share information on the EMDG Independent Review, and highlight useful export-related information and resources. READ MORE

Notices:

Trade Data Updates Week Ending 9th December 2025

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

LOGIN REQUIRED

Anti-Dumping Notices Data Updates Week Ending 9th 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

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 

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