TASMANIAN FREIGHT & LOGISTICS FORUM

Political leaders will set the stage for the forum, focusing on infrastructure, transport policy, and strategic priorities for the state:

• Minister Kerry Vincent MLC (Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Minister for Local Government, and Minister for Housing and Planning)
• Senator Tammy Tyrrell (Past Chair of the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme Committee)
• The Hon Anthony Chisholm (Assistant Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry)

FTA / APSA - TRAINING

FTA / APSA - IN THE MEDIA

Shipping container users brace for price and supply pain

international shipping market behaviour is imposing unreasonable costs on Australian industry.

Read more in The Australian: https://lnkd.in/gzMhMUbJ

Listen to the 2GB interview here: https://lnkd.in/gauQMD97

Personal Injury & Property Damage Claims - 2026 Risk & Resilience Webinar Series

Join James Cotis, Mahsa Curci, and Karim Bizri for the third session of the 2026 Risk & Resilience Webinar Series, focusing on Personal Injury and Property Damage Claims. This session will cover practical strategies for managing these risks within freight forwarding and supply chain operations. 

Fines, Duties & Uncollected Cargo - 2026 Risk & Resilience Webinar Series

Join James Cotis, John Thomson, and Karim Bizri for the fourth session of the 2026 Risk & Resilience Webinar Series, focusing on Fines, Duties, and Uncollected Cargo. This session will provide practical guidance on managing financial and operational risks in freight forwarding and supply chain operations. 

FTA/APSA Global Shipping Insights

Join us for our eighth session as we break down the FTA Monthly Shipping Report – April 2026

FTA / APSA - UPCOMING EVENTS

2026 AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND SHIPPING & LOGISTICS CONFERENCE

2026 CARE-FACTOR INDUSTRY CHARITY TRADE BALL 

Notices:

LOGISTICS

Draft 2026 Workforce Planning Update for the Aviation, Maritime, Rail, Transport and Logistics industry

ISA is seeking your feedback on the Draft 2026 Workforce Planning Update for the Aviation, Maritime, Rail, Transport and Logistics industry. 

Building on the 2025 Workforce Plans, the 2026 updates introduce an enhanced, multi-year approach that focuses on the collective actions now underway to address workforce challenges and progress agreed industry priorities. 

Your input is valued and will help ensure the 2026 update accurately reflects current industry needs, workforce challenges, and planning priorities. 

Feedback closes at 5:00pm (AEDT), Friday 24 April 2026. READ MORE

Port Botany Landside Improvement Strategy consultation update

We recently sought feedback on the proposed changes to the Port Botany Landside Improvement Strategy (PBLIS) Mandatory Standards, including new Performance Benchmarks, and would like to thank those who participated in Round One consultation. 

Due to the global fuel supply disruption and associated impacts on industry, Transport for NSW is deferring Round Two consultation for the foreseeable future. It is expected this postponement could be up to 12 months. The existing PBLIS framework will remain in place during this period. 

READ MORE

Fremantle Ports – Scheduled Maintenance – Berth 12, Inner Harbour – April 2026

Fremantle Ports wishes to advise of scheduled maintenance works at Common User Berth 12, Inner Harbour. To facilitate these works, Berth 12 will be unavailable for shipping operations from Wednesday 15 April 2026 to Friday 24 April 2026 inclusive.

The shutdown will allow for maintenance to multiple berth bollards, including replacements, upgrades and repainting (weather permitting).
 
Customers are requested to factor this shutdown into forward scheduling and liaise with Fremantle Ports Vessel Scheduling Team regarding berth planning requirements during this period
 . SEE MORE

Fuel supply transparency laws expand across Australia

Australian states are accelerating efforts to improve fuel supply transparency, introducing new laws and systems to track fuel distribution and pricing as global volatility continues to disrupt markets.

Victoria, Tasmania and Western Australia have each moved to strengthen their oversight of fuel supply chains, signalling a coordinated shift towards data-driven intervention under the national fuel response framework. READ MORE  (story credit ATN magazine)

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SEA FREIGHT

Bass Strait shipping company sold to global investor

supporting local industries and enabling businesses to access markets beyond the island.
READ MORE (story credit ATN magazine)

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AIR FREIGHT

dnata finalises integration of Italian ground handling business following strategic acquisition

Rome/Milan, Italy, March 31, 2026: dnata, a leading global air and travel services provider, has completed the integration of its Italian ground handling business into its global organisation, with all activities now operating under the dnata brand.

This milestone follows dnata's full acquisition of its Italian ground services subsidiary, previously operating as Airport Handling, after progressively increasing its shareholding in recent years.
READ MORE

Asian airfreight market faces rising pressure

The airfreight market across Asia is facing rising pressure as prices rise, fuel surcharges are rolled out and capacity continues to tighten as a result of the conflict in the Middle East. 

Taiwan-headquartered freight forwarder Dimerco said that air cargo conditions are becoming more constrained in Northeast Asia and Southeast Asia as higher fuel costs, longer routings and service adjustments reduce effective capacity.READ MORE (story credit Air Cargo News)

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 WiseTech Academy

TRADE

On 24 March 2026, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen announced the conclusion of negotiations of an Australia-European Union Free Trade Agreement (A-EU FTA).

The A-EU?FTA is a comprehensive, progressive and commercially meaningful deal that creates new opportunities for Australians to export their goods and services to a high-income market of around 450 million people.

Once fully implemented, 98% of the current value of Australia's goods exports will enter the EU duty-free. Learn what benefits are in store for goods and services exporters.READ MORE

Trade Data Updates Week Ending 7th April 2026

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

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Notices:

Anti-Dumping Notices Data Updates Week Ending 7th April 2026

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

BORDER

Nine people charged as part of investigation into multi-tonne drug import conspiracy in Victoria

Nine men have been charged for their alleged links to a syndicate behind a large-scale conspiracy to import tonnes of illicit drugs into Victoria and traffic drugs around the country.

The ten-month investigation, Operation Bruce Cremorne, was run by the Victorian Joint Organised Crime Taskforce (JOCTF), which includes the AFP, Victoria Police, Australian Border Force (ABF) and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC).

The alleged offenders, aged between 31 and 72, have been charged with a range of offences relating to the alleged conspiracy and the interstate trafficking of illicit drugs, and seven are facing a maximum penalty of life imprisonment if convicted. 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