Congestion at Asian container terminals continues to disrupt global shipping schedules, with quarantines and the ongoing effects of the Covid pandemic blamed for further instability in the supply chain. The world’s largest operator of container vessels, Maersk, has updated its customers on the situation at the Chinese port of Yantian, away from where it had […]
Since April 2020 there has been a notable increase in the import of commodities containing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including face masks, nitrile gloves, gowns and safety eye wear. The Australian Border Force (ABF) and the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) work together in controlling the importation of these goods. The ABF has now issued Australian […]
The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) risk season came to an end a few weeks ago, and the Australian Department of Agriculture has announced amendments to the compliance requirements for treatment providers for the next season – expected to commence on 01 September 2021. The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE), has this […]
On 15 June 2021, Australian Prime Minister Morrison and UK Prime Minister Johnson made an announcement on core elements of the Australia – United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement negotiations. The UK was Australia’s fifth largest trading partner in 2019-20, with two-way trade in goods and services worth $36.7 billion. What changes can we expect as […]
We have received notification from container terminal operators about additional “Protected Industrial Action (PIA)” by the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) and the current delays being experienced. The MUA has placed additional protected industrial action on Patrick Terminals Melbourne specifically. Due to the current circumstances in Melbourne with Covid-19, it is expected that this industrial […]
Clients who engage in trade between China and Australia need to be aware of the growing crisis at ports in Southern China, where shipping traffic is presently caught in a snarl. The situation follows severe bottlenecks that have bound up major ports in the U.S. and Europe through the pandemic and could last until the […]
Australian freight data has taken a leap forward with the launch of the National Freight Data Hub prototype website. The Australian Government announced $16.5 million of funding in the 2021-22 Budget over four years to develop the Hub further. In an announcement this week, Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said the Hub will be a trusted source of freight data for […]
Director-general of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, Edward Tao, with Brisbane Lord Mayor, Adrian Schrinner  Taiwan is pushing for a free-trade agreement (FTA) with Australia as it moves to reduce its exposure to China amid heightened military tensions in the region. Australia walked away from plans for an FTA with Taiwan in 2018 […]
High Visibility Joint Operation at Port Botany The Australian Border Force (ABF), in conjunction with NSW Police, Transport for NSW and the Department of Home Affairs, has carried out a high-visibility operation at Port Botany to ensure compliance in and around the port precinct. On Tuesday ABF officers from NSW Maritime Operations met a vessel […]
By now most Australians have had time to digest the main points of last week’s Federal Budget. A few points were relevant to those in the sphere of international shipping. DAWE Welcomes Funding Increase in Budget to Improve Processes The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE) has welcomed the provision of $370.9 million […]
