Author: GPSM

Ports in NZ are suspending all operations today with the expected arrival of Cyclone Gabrielle. All or most vessels have been sent to Anchor in the harbour for safety with the port only expecting operations to start again on Wednesday morning at the earliest, any vessel enroute to and from Auckland will be delayed by 3/5 days. This will cause delays on dedicated Trans-Tasman route vessels like the Focus Container Line vessel the “BBC Denmark” which was about to start loading export containers in Auckland before being sent to anchor, it will therefore be delayed by about a week on its arrival/departure from Brisbane.

NZ Port Operations over coming days:

• Port of Auckland Officially Closed from Sunday 12/02 until at least Wednesday 15/02 0700hrs.
• No vessel / cargo operations at Port until Wednesday at this stage.
• No ability to collect Import containers until Wednesday at this stage – there will be delays in collection due to congestion later this week.
• No vessels allowed to call Port Auckland – all vessels due are currently @ anchor away from Port Area.

LCL Depot Operations:

• No devanning/loading of containers from today 13/02/23. Expected to re-commence AM 15/02/23.
• No COASTAL Services – no cargo will move this week to Christchurch (Vessels normally leave Monday – Tuesday) All Coastal bookings to CHC will be moved next week.
• No collection/delivery of LCL Freight until at least Wednesday AM 15/02/23 – storage extended for all import/export cargo due to weather.

We hope our Kiwi friends are not seriously affected by the arrival of this cyclone, they have already seen a lot of flooding and damage from recent exceptional rainfall in Auckland.

Our agent in Turkey has advised overnight of mass destruction in the most devastating earthquake to hit Turkey and Syria in a century.

To date, some 1500+ lives have been lost in Turkey and some 1200+ lives lost in Syria.

Many hundreds of buildings have been destroyed in several cities and port operations have also been affected.

Most businesses in the affected cities are not open as the search and rescue efforts continue.

Further updated information will follow as soon as possible.

Rail operations will be suspended into each of the Port Botany container terminals as per below notice received this morning, this will add substantial pressure to VBS slot availability for road operations over this weekend and well into next week.

“ARTC will be carrying out essential track maintenance and improvement works this February at various locations between Port Botany to Flemington NSW. Works will commence from 2:00pm Friday 3 February 2023 and continue through until 2:00pm Wednesday 8 February 2023 with nightworks in some locations.

We will begin mobilizing to site and carrying out minor preparation work in the days and weeks prior to the shutdown work commencing and there will be post work site clean-up. All preparation and clean-up work will be completed during standard working hours”.

DP World Sydney has advised that “there will be heavy demand for Import & Export slots this week and the start of next week” with large import discharges from vessels such as CMA CGM Semarang, ANL Gippsland and Moana, all with import availabilities over the period of the rail closure. Patricks and Hutchinson Terminals are also expected to be heavily impacted with time slots at a premium.

GPSM Transport Team will liaise directly with all customers affected by the rail closure and time-slot availability.

LCL container unpack depots have been increasing their vehicle booking fees over recent weeks, we regret the need to increase costs but we are unable to absorb these out of pocket expenses.

Effective from 19th December, 2023, the new rates will be $ 30.00 per LCL booking, and rates will be updated to the GPSM rates portal accordingly.

The Albanese Government welcomes confirmation today, that the Indian Government has completed its domestic requirements to enable implementation of the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA).

This trade agreement will deliver new market access opportunities for Australian businesses and consumers from 29 December 2022.

Australia finalized its domestic requirements for the trade agreement last week with the unanimous passage the Government’s Bills through Parliament.

ECTA is a ground-breaking agreement that brings Australia and India’s economies closer together.

From 29 December, tariffs on 85 per cent of Australia’s exports to India will be eliminated and high tariffs on a further 5 per cent of goods will be phased down.

Entry into force of the agreement before the New Year delivers a double bonus of two tariff cuts in quick succession: one as the agreement comes into effect and a second on 1 January 2023.

ECTA will save Australian exporters around $2 billion a year in tariffs, while consumers and business will save around $500 million in tariffs on imports of finished goods, and inputs to our manufacturing sector.

The tariff commitments provided by India in the agreement will open up access for Australia’s exporters of products including critical minerals, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, lentils, seafood, sheep meat, horticulture and wine.

Australian service suppliers will benefit from full or partial access across more than 85 Indian services sectors and subsectors. Australian suppliers across 31 sectors and subsectors will be guaranteed the highest standard of treatment that India grants to any future free trade agreement partner.

Australian services sectors to benefit include higher education and adult education, as well as business services such as tax, architecture and urban planning.

ECTA will support tourism and workforce needs in regional Australia by making 1000 Work and Holiday Program places available to young adventurous Indians. It maintains opportunities for Indian students graduating in Australia to undertake post-study work, with a bonus year of stay for high-performing STEM graduates.

Australia and India are now progressing a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement to build on ECTA. The Australian Government is pursuing further opportunities in goods and services, in addition to new commitments in areas such as digital trade, government procurement, and new areas of cooperation.

Trade deals with India and the United Kingdom

Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) have received advice from Minister for Trade and Tourism Senator the Hon Don Farrell confirming the passage of legislation through the Parliament enabling free trade agreements with India and the Untited Kingdom.

“The Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) is a great opportunity for Australian businesses as it will open up new markets to reach around 1.4 billion consumers in the world’s fastest growing major economy.”

“The Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement (A-UKFTA) is the first full trade agreement the UK negotiated from scratch following Brexit. The A-UKFTA will deepen our already strong economic relationship with the UK and offer greater opportunities for our businesses to diversify their trade markets.”

“The ECTA and A-UKFTA will enter into force 30 days (or another mutually agreed time) after the respective parties have confirmed in writing that they have completed their domestic requirements.”

Quotes attributable to the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese:

• “New trade agreements with India and the UK will strengthen our existing trade and economic relationships. These new agreements will create new opportunities for trade diversification and great outcomes for Australian business and Australian families.”
• “Today’s passage of legislation demonstrates Australia’s commitment to free trade and the rules-based trading system. It is an acknowledgement of the centrality of trade to our economic resilience and ongoing prosperity.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator the Hon Don Farrell:

• “These agreements will support our businesses to grow, to offer more employment opportunities, and will give Australian consumers more choice at the checkout.”
• “We are ready to implement these deals and will continue working closely with the UK and Indian Governments to implement the trade agreements as soon as possible.”

Sal Milici – Head of Border & Biosecurity – FTA / APSA

Copyright © 2022 Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) Pty Ltd, All rights reserved.