MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT - Update 10 - Peak industry alliance calls for urgent action on shipping charges

Thursday, March 26, 2026

As outlined in our member notice from 19 March 2026, Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) wrote to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese requesting financial relief and longer-term regulatory reform to support Australian exporters. 

Adding weight to this advocacy, the article published in The Australian earlier in the week and extensive overnight coverage has highlighted the growing disruption to Australian trade from the ongoing Middle East conflict.

A special note of appreciation is extended to executives from Australian Horticulture Trade (AHT), the Australian Dairy Products Federation (ADPF) and the Australian Meat Industry Council (AMIC) for their input and voicing real-world impacts.

Paul Zalai (FTA/APSA) speaks with Ross Greenwood 25/3/2026
DCN (25/3/2026) - Peak shipping bodies call for urgent action on shipping charges

As noted by Paul Zalai [FTA/APSA], the impacts are immediate — rising freight costs, extended transit times and increasing pressure on exporters. Industry voices including Lesley Shields (AHT) and Janine Waller (ADPF) reinforced the reality on the ground: volatility is no longer a future risk, it's a current operating environment.
AFR (25/3/2026) - Canberra must take control and avoid another COVID, business urges PM

EXTRACT: 
As the effects of the war spread to trade, Australian exporters called on the Albanese government to implement a financial assistance package similar to what was rolled out during the pandemic.
Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) director Paul Zalai said meat, dairy and vegetable exporters were being subjected to unregulated international shipping surcharges of up to $US4000 ($5734) per container.
"This is exactly the kind of extraordinary shock that warrants temporary government support, just as we saw during COVID," he said.
"This is a perfect storm of global disruption and market imbalance, with Australian exporters bearing the cost."
The alliance is proposing the government introduce a targeted financial assistance package for exporters to offset emergency conflict, war risk and deviation surcharges.
We encourage members to join us at this morning's webinar

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