News

WTO Tackles Challenges in Geopolitical Landscape

During the Singapore Apex Business Summit on 25 July 2024, a panel was held to discuss the implications of trade tensions for the future of international trade. The panellists looked at key aspects of global economic engagement in areas such as emerging technologies and data and its impact on international trade flows. Deputy Director-General of […]

MSC Reshuffles its Asia-Oceania Network

Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A., branded as MSC, is the world’s largest container shipping company by both fleet size and cargo capacity, controlling about 19.7% of the global container ship fleet. It operates over 790 container vessels with a capacity of 5,505,417 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU). On 25 July 2024 they issued two notices about changes […]

Airfreight Recovering from IT Outage

Air cargo operations are still recovering from the IT disruption that saw computer systems malfunction at airlines and airports worldwide. The Microsoft IT outage was triggered by a software update from cyber security company Crowdstrike. Heathrow Airport, the UK’s busiest air cargo hub, experienced technology problems, though it declined to comment on air cargo operations […]

CSIRO Works with Singapore Port

Australia and Singapore are working on low-emission technology projects: Statements have appeared on the websites of Australia’s national science agency CSIRO, as well as the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), on 17 July 2024, issuing a grant call for proposals for the Australia-Singapore Low-Emissions Technologies (ASLET) initiative. Under the initiative, the partners aim to […]

Australia’s High Reputation in Global Trade

Australia’s reputation as an ideal destination for trade and investment was further strengthened this week with the release of a new report by the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade). The 2024 Why Australia Benchmark Report outlines Australia’s competitive advantages, drawing on key economic, financial, social and demographic data from respected sources. Follow this link […]

Houthis Launch Bomb-Boats and Missiles

Yemen’s armed rebel group on Monday said it carried out three military operations targeting three ships in the Red Sea and Mediterranean Sea, using ballistic missiles, drones, and unmanned boats. The attack was announced by Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea in a statement aired by Houthi-run al-Masirah TV. However, one of the boat bombs failed […]

Troubled Waters Around Cape of Good Hope

The conflict in the Middle East has changed international trade routes at sea. In the aftermath of Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, containerships have been opting to bypass the Suez Canal and navigate around South Africa’s Cape of Good Hope. This shift has disrupted a crucial global shipping route, adding another 15 days to […]

Putting Nuclear Powered Ships into the Mix

Australia’s opposition leader Peter Dutton plans to build Australia’s first nuclear energy power stations should his Liberal and National Party coalition win next year’s federal election. Opinions on the pros and cons of nuclear energy have appeared in the media today (09 July 2024) with reports from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) and the […]

Will the New UK Government Affect Our FTA?

Labour leader Keir Starmer looks set to become the UK’s next prime minister and made a victory speech at midday (Australian time) as he addressed the media after arriving for the count for his seat of Holborn and St Pancras in North London. On Wednesday 03 July 2024 DFAT released a Statement on the A-UKFTA […]

Paper and Cardboard Exports

With effect from 01 October 2024, the export of mixed or unsorted paper and cardboard will be prohibited unless an export licence has been granted by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW). This has been formally announced by the Australian Border Force (ABF) by Australian Customs Notice No. 2024/25: “Commencement […]