| Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) continue to engage closely with members regarding the escalating cost and operational impacts arising from ongoing shipping disruptions linked to the conflict in the Middle East.
Member feedback
FTA/APSA have received extensive feedback from exporters and logistics providers highlighting significant and unbudgeted cost pressures associated with emergency conflict, war risk and deviation surcharges imposed by shipping lines.
Members have reported:
- Unilateral surcharges being applied with little or no notice
- Charges imposed after commercial arrangements were finalised and cargo accepted
- Significant cashflow impacts, particularly for agricultural, regional and time-sensitive exports
- Limited ability for shippers to mitigate or verify the legitimacy of these costs
This feedback reflects a broader concern that extraordinary external shocks are continuing to transfer disproportionate cost and risk onto Australian exporters and the wider trade sector.
Formal approach to Government
In response to this member feedback, FTA/APSA have formally written to the Prime Minister, senior Ministers and senior government stakeholders calling for targeted government intervention to support affected cargo owners.
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