Operators of empty container parks in Sydney and Melbourne have announced they are (again) increasing their charges for receiving and dispatching empty containers to and from their facilities.
The new rate will be $ 235.00 per container effective from 17th March, 2025, at this time there has been no announcements from empty parks in other states, we will monitor and keep you advised of any further updates.
Please note the issue has been rectified.
If members are still experiencing issues with the system, please let us know.
Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) has just received advice from a number of members reporting of the inability to sign in to the Integrated Cargo System (ICS):
FTA/APSA have informed ABF executives and we await further detail from ICS Business Support.
Further updates will be posted at www.FTAlliance.com.au
Illegal logging Laws are changing March 3, 2025, please refer to the attached Fact sheets for the latest information.
Please be advised that Tropical Cyclone Alfred is expected to bring severe weather to Brisbane and its surrounding areas throughout this week.
In response to the high winds and associated risks to pilotage, Brisbane Ports have suspended all services until further notice.
Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) has suspended inbound vessel arrivals to the Port of Brisbane due to heavy swells since late Sunday under direction from Maritime Safety Queensland’s (MSQ) Regional Harbour Master. Final outbound transits were completed on Monday morning for a number of vessels.
This suspension may result in vessel delays and scheduling adjustments.
GPSM are monitoring the situation and will advise clients affected on further updates asap.
More than 45,000 U.S. dockworkers represented by the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) ratified a six-year contract, securing a 62% wage hike and averting potential disruptions until 2030.
The US Journal of Commerce reports the new contract bars implementation of full automation without human oversight. Rail-mounted gantry cranes can be utilized by terminals but will require human operator assistance.
The agreement, finalized with the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), and approved by 99% of union members, follows a brief strike in October and will be signed on March 11, 2025. The terms are retroactive to October 1, 2024, when the prior contract expired.
Wage increases had been deferred after terms were reached in October until the full contract was completed.
The new contract covers approximately 35 ports from Maine to Florida and along the Gulf Coast. It runs till September 30, 2030.
We have received the below updates on shipping from one of our industry partners as follows:
The Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) highlights key developments in global shipping following the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, along with Yemen’s Houthi rebels easing restrictions in the Red Sea:
Overall, while initial moves indicate progress, industry-wide confidence depends on geopolitical stability and reduced insurance risks.
The Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has announced an immediate update regarding Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), removing Germany from the FMD-free list. This change impacts the importation of dairy products and other commodities sourced, manufactured, or exported from Germany. Effective immediately, personal, and commercial consignments, including those with valid import permits, will be held upon arrival in Australia.
The following dairy products will remain unaffected by these new regulations:
For more details on the specific import conditions, refer to the BICON case for Dairy.
The department is working closely with the competent authority in Germany to assess and manage the biosecurity risk associated with FMD. Dairy products in transit that are impacted by the FMD outbreak will be held at the Australian border and assessed by biosecurity officers on a case-by-case basis.
Importers may be asked to provide evidence that the goods were manufactured before November 14, 2024, for release from biosecurity control.
Please note that the presence of FMD virus may persist in some dairy products due to processing methods like pasteurization, and contamination could occur if raw milk or infected dairy ingredients are introduced after processing. As such, products manufactured after November 14, 2024, may not be permitted entry into Australia, and could be directed for re-export or disposal.
Biosecurity officers may request additional documentation to support the assessment of the imported goods, including production dates. Importers should be prepared to supply necessary evidence.
In addition to dairy products, other commodities impacted by the FMD outbreak from Germany include:
The recent German Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) incursion is still a live situation that the department is following closely and adapting import conditions to manage the biosecurity risk posed by FMD while facilitating imports where safe to do so.
Goods that do not require country FMD freedom are not impacted by Germany’s FMD incursion, including:
Goods that are impacted by Germany’s FMD incursion generally require an import permit, for example dairy. These goods will have a condition on the permit stating that the goods must be sourced, processed, manufactured and exported from FMD free countries.
Goods that meet the import permit conditions (i.e. are accompanied by a government issued health certificate attesting to Germany being FMD free) and have been manufactured before the 14 November will be assessed on a case-by-case basis but are likely to be eligible for import.
Goods that have been manufactured after 14 November (during Germany’s FMD exclusion period) will be assessed on a case-by-case basis but are unlikely to be allowed to be imported. Goods that are not eligible for import must be exported or disposed of as biosecurity waste.
Notes
Please refer to NNF 2025/020 for the initial advice.
Please be advised that due overnight storms, heavy rain and many power outages in the Sydney area last night and further heavy rain expected today, there are expected to be delays in container terminals and LCL depots resulting in deliveries and collection of containers to be behind scheduled times.
Our Transport Team are closely monitoring the situation and will provide updates on any additional delays as necessary.
The World Organisation for Animal Health reported on 10 January 2025 that a case of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) has been confirmed in Germany, the first such occurrence in the country since 1988.
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is working to assess the biosecurity risk to Australia and what this might mean for import conditions for the following impacted commodities:
To help mitigate the risk to Australia, Germany has been removed from the list of FMD-free countries effective 14 November 2024.
The department will shortly amend its FMD free list to reflect Germany’s new FMD status. Any commercial dairy consignment or personal quantities of dairy and beef food items from Germany will be held under biosecurity control, effective immediately. Germany is a large dairy producer and exporter, including to Australia.
Over the coming days the department will undertake a detailed assessment of all traded goods from Germany and may introduce additional import restrictions for commodities, including pet food, stock feed, laboratory reagents and reproductive material.
The department will also directly contact with any permit holders or permit applicants impacted by this outbreak to advise of any potential changes to import conditions that may be required to protect Australia’s livestock production industries.
FMD does not infect humans and does not pose a food safety risk but an incursion of the virus would have severe consequences for Australia’s animal health and trade. ABARES estimates direct economic losses of around $80 billion over a ten-year period to the livestock and meat processing sector should an outbreak occur in Australia.
Please click Read More to view IIAN 06-2025 in its entirety.
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