FTA / APSA Weekly Report 2026/34 - sponsored by MOSAIC | Yojee

Wednesday, August 26, 2026

FTA / APSA WEEKLY REPORT 2026/34
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2026 AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND SHIPPING & LOGISTICS CONFERENCE

It's Time and Your Team is ready and waiting to welcome you

Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA), the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) and the New Zealand Cargo Owners Council (NZCOC) are delighted to advise that the inaugural 2026 Australia & New Zealand Shipping & Logistics Conference. is open for business.

(L to R) Brett Charlton, Jade Pearce, John Park, Sal Milici, Paul Zalai, Lucy Robinson, Tom Jensen and Caroline Zalai are looking forward to welcoming all our delegates, sponsors, exhibitors, speakers and guests to the inaugural Australia & New Zealand Shipping & Logistics Conference at tonight's Welcome Function ahead of 2 days of presentations and panels that include high calibre 

Australian and International speakers who will provide informed insights and perspectives on the future of global trade and the logistics industry that supports it. 


Special thanks to our Platinum sponsor the Port of Newcastle 

FTA / APSA - UPCOMING EVENTS

Upcoming Europe Agritech & Foodtech Export Opportunities Workshops

Australian agritech and foodtech companies exploring opportunities in Europe are invited to join Austrade's upcoming Europe Agritech & Foodtech Export Opportunities Workshops.

Hear from Austrade's in-market specialists on current market trends, demand insights, export opportunities and what the recent Australia-EU FTA means for the sector.

Melbourne (or virtual) | Friday 4 September, 10:30am AEST click here

Whether you are already exporting to Europe or considering market entry, this session provides the practical insights you need to inform your export strategy.

27-28 August 2026 : 2026 Australia & New Zealand Shipping & Logistics Conference
4 September 2026 : Austrade - Europe Agritech & Foodtech Export Opportunities Workshop (Melbourne) 
24 September 2026 : Annual Retired Customs Brokers Luncheon - SYDNEY "UPDATED INFO & REGISTRATION LINK"
30 April 2027 : Victoria (24 CPD points) - Border Compliance Program 
1 May 2027 : Victoria (24 CPD points) - Border Compliance Program 
15 May 2027 : Western Australia (24 CPD points) - Border Compliance Program 
26 May 2027 : Queensland (24 CPD points) - Border Compliance Program 
18 June 2027 : New South Wales (24 CPD points) - Border Compliance Program 
19 June 2027 : New South Wales (24 CPD points) - Border Compliance Program 

MARK YOUR DIARY
FOR OUR 2027 BORDER COMPLIANCE PROGRAM

Licensed customs brokers who attend the full program will earn 24 CPD points, providing a valuable opportunity to meet professional development requirements while gaining the latest insights into border and biosecurity compliance and industry best practice.

  • Victoria – Friday 30 April & Saturday 1 May 2027 | Hyatt Place, Essendon Fields

  • Western Australia – Saturday 15 May 2027 | Novotel Murray Street, Perth

  • Queensland – Wednesday 26 May 2027 | Brisbane Airport Conference Centre

  • New South Wales – Friday 18 June & Saturday 19 June 2027 | The Brighton Hotel

FTA / APSA - ADVOCACY

Freight Transport Advisory Council Communique - 29 July 2026

Paul Zalai represents FTA and APSA on the NSW Freight Transport Advisory Council (FTAC), ensuring that the interests and priorities of the freight and logistics industry are actively advocated and considered in government policy and decision-making. A copy of the Communique from the FTAC meeting held on 29 July 2026 has now been published on the FTAC webpage. The webpage has also been updated to reflect the new FTAC membership, providing stakeholders with the latest information on council representation and engagement.

FTA / APSA - OUT & ABOUT

SYDNEY: Paul Zalai connected with member Navia during Supply Chain Week, highlighting the company's active engagement with the supply chain community, and its much-appreciated coffee. Paul also joined Alice Brimicombe (ASCLA), Aaron de Rozario (NTC), and supply chain specialist Mark Brady for a well-attended panel discussion examining container freight landside costs, contributing to an important industry conversation on the challenges, opportunities, and policy considerations shaping freight efficiency and supply chain performance.

MELBOURNE: A fascinating visit to Ports Victoria and an opportunity to see first hand some of the work that largely happens out of sight but is critical to keeping Victoria's ports and shipping movements operating safely. A great opportunity to join Nicholas Ellul, COO, Jacinta Mackey, CFO, and Brett Charlton, FTA's Tasmanian representative, for a tour of the Ports Victoria Port Operations Control Centre and a fascinating look at its Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) operations.

FTA / APSA - IN THE MEDIA

DCN - Redesigning cargo reporting for modern supply chains

INTERNATIONAL supply chains have transformed over the past two decades. Australia's cargo reporting framework has not kept pace. The current review provides an opportunity to redesign the regulatory model for the next generation of global supply chains. READ MORE

SMH - Billionaire family fights to keep logistics empire as buyers circle

"Whether you're an ACFS customer or not, keeping their empty container parks open is essential. If they shut, other facilities could quickly reach capacity, creating gridlock at major ports," said Paul Zalai, co-founder of the Freight and Trade Alliance, an industry body.

"The pandemic demonstrated the severe consequences when empty container parks reach capacity — containers are handled multiple times, truck queues escalate, port operations become congested and disruptions ripple across the entire supply chain," he said. 
READ MORE

A full list of our extensive ongoing media coverage is available HERE

FTA / APSA - TRAINING

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry (DAFF)
2026 Continued Biosecurity Competency (CBC)
 
Accredited persons who have not completed their Department of Agriculture Fisheries & Forestry (DAFF) Mandatory Continued Biosecurity Competency (CBC) Activity 2026-27/01 (0302) by the due date (24 July 2026) should complete immediately via Learnhub.

On completion you are required to send the Certificate of Completion to Class19@aff.gov.au to reactivate your accreditation.
MYFTACPD Training Platform

Continuing Professional Development Period 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027


When completing topics online via our MYFTACPD training platform, you must only complete topics in your "ACTIVE" library to receive the CPD Points for the period. You can review old courses for reference or as a refresher in your "COMPLETED" library, however any assessments completed will NOT count towards CPD Attainment. This approach is to ensure you remain up to date with current topics when completing your professional development.
Are you organised for your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) training?

FTA offers online training for the customs broker licencing period 1 April to 31 March each year. The cost of an online training package is $150 (excl. gst) for member organisations bulk discounts are available on a sliding scale. 

Licensed customs brokers not employed by a corporate FTA member, can purchase an Individual Membership which includes online CPD training for the cost of only $300 (excl. gst) per customs broker licensing period.

Please email Caroline at czalai@FTAlliance.com.au if you wish to organise a package.

LOGISTICS

2027 MSC Traineeship Program

MSC are excited to share details of our 2027 MSC Traineeship Program. This program provides aspiring professionals with valuable experience in a dynamic office environment and a comprehensive introduction to the shipping and logistics industry. Participants will undertake 12 to 14 months of full-time, paid, office-based training across a range of MSC and MEDLOG departments, gaining practical skills, industry knowledge, and exposure to multiple areas of the business.
Applications are now open for traineeship positions in our Brisbane, Melbourne, and Fremantle offices. MSC are seeking motivated candidates who completed, or will complete, Year 11 or Year 12 between 2024 and 2026. READ MORE

NSW Ports achieves record on-dock port rail movement of containerised goods

A RECORD 504,000 TEUs was moved by rail directly through Port Botany's container stevedore terminals, achieving a 19% rail mode share in financial year 2026, and becoming the first port in Australia to reach the half million mark.

 

Port Botany is the only port in Australia to have on-dock port rail at each of its container terminals.

These terminals are directly connected to a network of metropolitan and interstate intermodal terminals, including by dedicated freight only rail. READ MORE (story credit DCN)

TasPorts looks 30 years ahead

IN CONSULTATION with customers, industry and community, TasPorts has begun work on a 30-year master plan to lay out a long-term vision for Bell Bay, Burnie, Devonport and Hobart.

 

 

Port Master Plan 2027 will provide a long-term framework to support future decision-making and investment in Tasmania's multi-port network, whilst ensuring each port remains resilient, sustainable and fit-for-purpose, TasPorts says.

 

CEO Captain Allan Gray said the development of the plan represented an important opportunity to understand the future needs of its customers and the role Tasmania's ports play in a single connected supply chain. READ MORE (story credit DCN)

Annual Retired Customs Brokers Luncheon - SYDNEY

Thursday, 24th September 2026 @ the Harbour View Hotel, 18 Lower Fort St,
Dawes Point -The Rocks 


Details now updated and include menu selection form and payment details -

please see  HERE

Notices:

25.8.2026 : Patrick (Fisherman Islands Terminal) - Terminal Shutdown - Tuesday 1st September 2026 - read more
25.8.2026 : ACFS Port Logistics - Executive message - UPDATE 11 - read more
25.8.2026 : Joint Standing Committee on Treaties Invitation for Participation - read more
25.8.2026 : Freight Transport Advisory Council Communique - 29 July 2026 - read more
24.8.2026 : Preventing Piggybacking: Expectations of Licensed Customs Brokers - read more
24.8.2026 : Productivity Commission Trade and Assistance Review 2024–25 - read more
24.8.2026 : Import / Export Traineeship - affiliated traineeship partners- read more
24.8.2026 : Direct Couriers Acquires Phoenix Transport, expanding National Delivery network - read more
23.8.2026 : Great Western Highway funding announcement - .read more
22.8.2026 : 2027 CPD BORDER COMPLIANCE PROGRAM - MARK YOUR DIARY - .read more
21.8.2026 : Western Sydney International ICS Cargo Reporting Arrangements - read more
21.8.2026 : Industry Skills Australia - Digital Skills Project - read more
20.8.2026 : ACFS Port Logistics - Executive message - UPDATE 10 - read more
20.8.2026 : Warehouse Capacity Available – 1,000 Pallet Spaces Now Open - ADVERTISEMENT - read more
19.8.2026 : FTA / APSA Weekly Report 2026/33 - sponsored by MOSAIC | Yojee - read more

SEA FREIGHT

Tasmanian seaborne trade steady in 2025-26

TASPORTS says Tasmania's trade performance demonstrated resilience in 2025-26, with total freight volume broadly stable at 14.28 million tonnes while container numbers increased by 3.7%.

The state's ports operated "against a challenging operating environment, characterised by subdued economic growth, persistent domestic cost and financing pressures, geopolitical fragmentation and heightened uncertainty across global trade and supply chains," the GBE said.  READ MORE (story credit DCN)

Notices:

25.8.2026 : International Shipping Line Financial Data Update - read more

AIR FREIGHT

Sydney Airport freight capacity set for major expansion

Sydney Airport will prepare to handle 1.4 million tonnes of freight annually by 2045 under its newly approved 20-year Master Plan.

 

That compares with about 600,000 tonnes in 2024, representing a 133 per cent increase in the airport's annual freight task.

The plan includes expanded freight-handling facilities and changes intended to improve cargo movement between aircraft and the wider logistics network. READ MORE (story credit ATN magazine)

Reuters: A350 freighter test flights set for September


The first flight of Airbus' next-generation A350 freighter is set to take place towards the end of September, according to Reuters. Quoting industry sources, the newswire said the airframer is hopeful the first flight will take place on around 24 September, although there is always the chance that technical issues or inclement weather could push that date back into October.

In response to questions from Air Cargo News, Airbus said: "The maiden flight is expected later in 2026, followed by the first delivery in the second half of 2027." Airbus is hoping to start to deliver the aircraft to customers by the end of next year, which would give it a maximum of 14 months to gain certification for the model. READ MORE (story credit Air Cargo News)


Qantas Freight Operations

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

Notices:

21.8.2026 : Western Sydney International ICS Cargo Reporting Arrangements - read more
18.8.2026 : Qantas Freight - Sydney Freight Terminal delays - Update 4 - read more

BIOSECURITY

Please click  HERE for the DAFF Biosecurity Report -  sponsored by Intermodal Terminal Company

National Biosecurity Week

It's National Biosecurity Week – 24 to 30 August 2026.

For those of us working across international trade, freight and logistics, biosecurity is part of what we do every day.

Australia's biosecurity system is a shared responsibility – government has a critical role, but so too do importers, exporters, customs brokers, freight forwarders, ports, logistics providers and everyone handling goods throughout the international supply chain.

Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) are proud participants in the Biosecurity Business Pledge Australia, supporting a proactive approach to identifying and managing biosecurity risks across business operations and supply chains.

The Pledge brings businesses together to strengthen biosecurity practices, build resilience and work collaboratively with government and industry to help protect Australia's economy, environment and way of life. National Biosecurity Week is a timely reminder that strong biosecurity outcomes rely on all parts of the supply chain understanding the risks and playing their part.

If your organisation would like to get involved click HERE

TRADE

Agribusiness & Food News

In the latest edition from Austrade we look at:

  • Navigating US tariffs: briefing on 12.5% US tariff announcement

  • Understanding your shipping route before you export

  • Australia strengthens ties with grain buyers

  • Market access challenges continue to take centre stage for red meat products
    READ MORE 

Trade Data Updates Week Ending 25th August 2026

 

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

LOGIN REQUIRED

Finance Report
LIVE exchange rate conversion
 

FTA have added the Xe exchange rate widget to the right sidebar on our FTAlliance.com.au home page, so members can easily convert using live rates provided by our affiliate partner in Xe.

It also has a link to the Xe/FTA landing page for members to create a free account with Xe.

Notices:

24.8.2026 : Xe Morning Update - Your daily market wrap - read more

                  Anti-Dumping Notices Data Updates Week Ending 25th August 2026

                   

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


                  LOGIN REQUIRED

                  BORDER

                  Over 60 arrests, $92 million worth of tobacco, as international smuggling ring dismantled

                  The Australian Border Force (ABF) and the Anti-Smuggling Bureau of General Administration of China Customs (ASB) have dismantled the operations of an international criminal syndicate responsible for large-scale illicit tobacco smuggling operations targeting Australia.

                   

                  The arrest of more than 60 individuals in China suspected to be involved in the sophisticated criminal network and sustained information sharing and close

                  collaboration between both countries led to the referral of 112 shipping containers to ABF officers in Beijing en-route to Australia.  

                  Named Project SEAHORSE and Operation TRAILBLAZER, the consignments linked to the smuggling ring were suspected to contain illicit tobacco and were due to arrive in ports across Australia between January and May 2026. READ MORE (story credit ABF Newsroom)

                  Notices

                  24.8.2026 : Preventing Piggybacking: Expectations of Licensed Customs Brokers - read more
                  22.8.2026 : 2027 CPD BORDER COMPLIANCE PROGRAM - MARK YOUR DIARY - read more
                  21.8.2026 : ABF - Over 60 arrests, $92 million worth of tobacco, as international smuggling ring dismantled - read more
                  21.8.2026 : ABF - ABF puts brakes on counterfeit vehicle import permits - .read more
                  19.8.2026 : ABF TC Gazette 26/31 - read more
                  19.8.2026:  ABF - Operation SHORTHAND results advance investigations into illicit tobacco criminal networks - .read more
                   

                  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


                  25.8.2026 : Webinars & CPD Recordings - read more

                  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


                   
                  Member Communications
                   

                  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

                   
                   


                   












                   









                   
                  		 






                    
















                   

                   

                   
                  		 


                   
                   


















                   

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