Welcome to the Official Publication of ICHCA Australia Ltd

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IN THIS ISSUE

• ICHCA International Conference Update
• About our Sponsors
• ICHCA Australia Annual General Meeting Report
• New ICHCA Australia Board Member
• Securing Australia's Maritime Future
• ICHCA's Profile Increases
• Asian Century Drives Record $313 Billion in Exports
• ICHCA International Newsletter
• ICHCA Information Paper 57 - Supply Chain Security
• CEO Sought for First National Heavy Vehicle Regulator
• ICHCA International Secretariat and Panel News
• NSW Long-Term Transport Master Plan
• Proposal to Streamline Rail Fatigue
• Comings and Goings

 
THE SPEAKERS AT THE CONFERENCE - 8th and 9th of May

COCKTAILS AND GALA DINNER - 8th May

Speakers, Sponsors, Delegates and Partners enjoy this event. Matthew Michalewicz entrepreneur extraordinaire will regale all with his 'Secrets on the Psychology of Success'.

THE ISP DAY - 10th May

Keep up-to-date with the latest from the ICHCA International Expert Panels on Safety, Security and Environment.

THE INDUSTRY TOUR - 11th May

Join the Half Day Morning Tour of Melbourne International Airport, Patrick's Intermodal Terminal at Swanson Dock, and the Port of Melbourne - Australia’s Premier Hub Port

Note: The Goods & Services Tax (GST) is an Australian Government charge of 10% applied to goods and services transactions.  This is included in prices shown above.  Please note a 3 day Conference, Conference Dinner and ISP Day ticket is cheaper than a two day Conference and Dinner ticket.  ICHCA reserves the right to alter prices at any time.

For further information contact:
Ian Lovell, Conference Coordinator
ian.lovell@bigpond.com
+61 (0)400 708 182

OUR SPONSORS

 

ABOUT OUR SPONSORS

Genesee & Wyoming Inc. (GWI)

Genesee & Wyoming Inc. (GWI) owns and operates short line and regional freight railroads in the United States, Canada, Australia, the Netherlands and Belgium. It provides rail service at 17 ports in North America and Europe and performs contract coal loading and railcar switching for industrial customers.

In addition, it operates the Tarcoola-to-Darwin rail line which links the Port of Darwin with the Australian interstate rail network in South Australia. Operations currently include 65 railroads organised in 10 regions, with more than 7,600 miles of owned and leased track and approximately 1,400 additional miles under track access arrangements.

Genesee & Wyoming Australia (GWA) Genesee & Wyoming Australia Pty Ltd Telephone: +61-8-8343 5455 http://www.gwrr.com/operations/railroads/australia/genesee_wyoming_australia.

Genesee & Wyoming Australia Pty Ltd is the largest of the nine Genesee & Wyoming operating regions around the world As Genesee & Wyoming's largest and fastest-growing region, Genesee & Wyoming Australia (GWA) owns nearly 5,000 kilometres of track in South Australia and the Northern Territory, including the 2,200-km Tarcoola-to- Darwin railway. An accredited rail-service provider in six states (all but Tasmania), GWA provides intrastate haulage of bulk commodities including grain, steel, gypsum and minerals as well as short-haul shunting and terminal operations. GWA is also a major supplier of contracted services, such as locomotives, wagons and crews, for freight forwarding on the interstate rail network.

A safety leader in the industry, GWA has more than 300 employees, 70 locomotives and 950 active wagons. Through long-term contracts and acquisition of locomotives and equipment to support customer projects, GWA seeks to form long-term partnerships with customers.

Following the 2010 acquisition of the 2,200-km Tarcoola-to-Darwin railway, GWA more than ever offers the operating expertise, safety record, infrastructure and financial strength to serve new customers in central Australia and beyond.


 

Infrastructure Australia is charged with development of a strategic blueprint for Australia's future infrastructure needs and - in partnership with the states, territories, local government and the private sector - facilitates its implementation. It provides advice to Australian governments about infrastructure gaps and bottlenecks that hinder economic growth and prosperity. It also identifies investment priorities and policy and regulatory reforms that are necessary to enable timely and coordinated delivery of national infrastructure investment.

See Infrastructure Australia web site www.infrastructureaustralia.gov.au.

ICHCA AUSTRALIA LTD ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Chairman's Report

Welcome to the 2012 AGM and thank you for taking time out to attend this meeting.

The last year has been very busy despite not having either an Australian or an International Conference during the year. All our time has been spent on preparations for the ICHCA International Biennial Conference to be held in Melbourne in early May this year. All our efforts have gone into ensuring that this event is a showcase of ICHCA Australia's ability to manage a conference without resorting to commercial conference organisers.

Our team, ably led by our National Secretary, Ian Lovell, with support from Neil Murphy, Deb and John Warda and the Australian Directors of ICHCA, have achieved a conference standard in both the number of sponsors and the quality of our speakers that is far beyond expectations. I urge you all to consider joining us in Melbourne from the 8-11 May at the Langham Hotel.

Our annual meeting in Canberra with senior officials from Commonwealth Government Departments continues to provide results with strong support for the Biennial Conference from D.A.F.F.(Biosecurity) in both sponsorship and a speaker and continued relationship building with Infrastructure Australia, ABS, ACS, NTC and other Government Departments. In addition, DAFF has asked us to nominate a person for the DAFF Cargo Consultative Committee (DCCC) which we have done and we are currently assisting the NTC to plan an international ports inspection tour for senior officials and Government Ministers.

For me, a highlight of 2011 was the launch of the ICHCA Australia Website www.ichca-australia.com. This new venture was managed by John Warda, Ian Lovell and Neil Murphy, who has the necessary skills and experience with SAFC in web site building and assisted by Deb Warda who has the computer literacy we all lack! The result is an excellent example of what a website should be but we are always looking to make improvements. So if you have any thoughts on improving ichca-australia.com please let us know. I must also take this opportunity to thank our foundation sponsors, MariTrade, Strang, AsiaWorld, TT Club, Emerald and Wave Systems.

In the UK there have been a number of changes at ICHCA International. Our Technical Expert, Mike Compton, retired in January this year and I am pleased to announce that Captain Richard Brough OBE has taken over in a new role combining technical advice with management and commercial responsibilities. We also have a new international Board Member, Margaret Llewellyn OBE, joining the board in May last year. We will be holding an ICHCA International Board Meeting in Melbourne this year before the conference and will be able to report on other activity at the ICHCA International AGM which will be held at the end of the conference day two. All ICHCA members are entitled to attend the AGM.

Membership continues to grow, albeit not as fast as we would like, but membership of the organisation will always be a "work in progress". Our international friends in both Japan and CARC continue to maintain strong links and give great support to the organisation.

Once the Biennial Conference is wrapped up and Ian Lovell has recovered, we will be putting our efforts into the planning of a conference for Australia in 2013. Any ideas on location etc can be submitted to me or Ian, but not until June 2012 at the earliest!

Thank you again for attending today and for your continuing support.

Tony Grant

Chairman ICHCA Australia Ltd

New ICHCA Australia Board Member



At the Annual General Meeting in Adelaide members re-elected existing Board Directors and also Matthew Michalewicz, Managing Director, SolveIT Software Pty Ltd.

Chairman of ICHCA Australia Limited, Tony Grant, said ICHCA was delighted to have Matthew join the Board of ICHCA Australia. "Not only will he bring a new perspective, but also an entrepreneurial one. He will also assist us with generational change and brings a new youthful perspective to the Board."

The Former Ernst and Young management consultant and serial entrepreneur, Mr Michalewicz has more than 15 years of hands-on experience in technology commercialisation and supply chain management. He is the co-author of several books and publications, including Adaptive Business Intelligence and Puzzle-Based Learning, which have been adapted into educational courses for universities and corporations across the world.

He is the co-founder of SolveIT Software Pty Ltd (www.SolveITSoftware.com), an Australian company specialising in supply and demand optimisation and predictive modelling. Prior to co-founding SolveIT Software with several research organisations and supply chain experts, Mr Michalewicz served as the Chief Executive of a high-tech company in the United States from 1999 - 2003. By raising US$15 million in venture capital and completing four multi-million dollar acquisitions. He grew the company to more than 150 employees in six international offices.

His business and academic achievements have been recognised by Time Magazine, New York Times, Forbes, Wired Magazine, Business Journal, Associated Press, Information Week, NewsWeek, and many others. He was also named to Charlotte's 40 Under 40 list of accomplished business leaders by the Business Journal, Alumnus of the Year by the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and Entrepreneur of the Year finalist by Ernst and Young.

In addition to being a Visiting Fellow at the University of Adelaide, Matthew is also a Business Ambassador for South Australia. Matthew Michalewicz holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Corporate Finance from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and a Company Directors Course Diploma from the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).

Securing Australia's Maritime Future

The Federal Government has taken another step towards securing the future of Australia's shipping industry and its workforce, with the first meeting of the Maritime Workforce Development Forum.

The Forum has been established to work through the Government's reforms to the shipping industry, which are designed to make the Australian shipping industry more internationally competitive.

The Forum comprises representatives from across the maritime sector and will work to address priority issues such as the development of a mandatory training requirement and the development a national approach rather than sector or state-based approaches that currently exist.

One of the main elements of the Government's shipping reforms is an income tax exemption where Australian shipping operators will not pay any income tax on core shipping activities

In return, industry has to build a sustainable workforce for the future. Australia has only 22 ships left, which is less than half the number of a decade ago.

The maritime sector is also facing an ageing workforce with 42% of the seafarer workforce aged 51 years or older.

Highly skilled seafarers are required to fill safety critical roles such as port masters, pilot and inspection roles with our maritime safety regulators. As shipping traffic increases, so will the need to enforce strict safety and environmental requirements.

The Forum comprises:

Chair: Ms Lynelle Briggs.

Members: David Anderson, CEO, Ports Australia; Paddy Crumlin, National Secretary, MUA; Teresa Hatch, Executive Director, Australian Shipowners Association; Joseph Homsey, Managing Director, Farstad Shipping; Daryll Hull, Managing Director, Transport and Logistics Centre; Wayne Moore, President, Australian Maritime Officers Union; Terry Snee, Federal President, Australian Institute of Marine and Power Engineers; Tony Wilks, General Manager, Svitzer Australasia.

ICHCA'S Profile Increases

ICHCA Australia recently participated in the 5th Intermodal Asia Exhibition and Conference in Melbourne. ICHCA Australia Chairman, Tony Grant, and Company Secretary, Ian Lovell, staffed an exhibitor booth at the event.

Mr Grant said, "We have the major ICHCA International Biennial Conference coming up on 8-11 May in Melbourne and this was a good opportunity to promote our conference and highlight the benefits of being a member of ICHCA Australia." It also enabled to us to hold key meetings with sponsors and fine tune our arrangements with the Langham for our conference.


Ian Lovell and Tony Grant at the ICHCA booth talking to interested clients.

Interest in the ICHCA International conference was good and it was gratifying to have a number of delegates congratulate ICHCA on its monthly e-newsletter - Inside ICHCA.

ICHCA Australia wishes to acknowledge the sponsorship it received to attend the event from Strang-Tradex, without which it would not have been possible.

John Strang, Chairman of ICHCA International, thanked ICHCA member Rory Doyle from Transport Events Management for organising the 5th Intermodal Asia Conference and Exhibition and wished him well for the forthcoming 6th Indian Ocean Ports and Logistics Conference and Exhibition he is running in Mauritius at the end of March 2012. See the ICHCA International website for further details www.ichca.com.

To register for the ICHCA International Biennial Conference in May go to the ICHCA Australia website at www.ichca-australia.com.

Asian Century Drives Record $313 Billion in Exports

Australia recorded its 10th consecutive trade surplus in December, capping a year in which dynamic Asian demand helped drive a record $313 billion in exports. The annual export figure was 10% higher than the 2010 total, with growth driven by minerals and rural goods.

Last year was the first calendar year in which exports topped $300 billion. The trade surplus of $19.2 billion was also the largest ever for a calendar year. Demand from fast-growing Asian economies drove the robust performance: total merchandise exports to North Asia rose 18% for the year, with exports to China up 24%. Merchandise exports to ASEAN, meanwhile, climbed 2%.

Trade Minister, Craig Emerson, said the data, from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, attested to the strength of the Australian economy and the importance of its engagement with Asia. "Australia is well-positioned to reap the benefits of strong economic growth in economies as diverse as China, India, Indonesia and Malaysia."

For December, the trade surplus was $1.7 billion, about $500 million ahead of expectations. It was $366 million higher than the November surplus, with exports up 2% and imports up on the month.

ICHCA International Newsletter

ICHCA International is producing its newsletter on a monthly basis and the first of 2012 (CWN 55) is available from the members' secure area of the website - http://www.ichcainternational.co.uk/membership/members_only/membersonly.htm (username = IILmember / password = ICHCA2012).

This issue is packed with articles and updates, including:

- International Strategic Freight Ports Policy and Yokohama Port’s Approach
- Liquefaction of Solid Bulk Cargoes
- Conference Information - Latest Updates and Sponsor Profiles.

ICHCA Information Paper 57 - Supply Chain Security

ICHCA International has finalised Information Paper No. 57 - Supply Chain Security, which is now available for ICHCA members via the organisation's website - www.ichcainternational.org.uk.

The paper deals with the United States national strategy for global supply chain security and includes links to a detailed document on the issue.

CEO Sought for First National Heavy Vehicle Regulator

A global search is underway for the first CEO of the new independent National Heavy Vehicle Regulator based in Queensland. The successful candidate will be accountable for driving forward the national heavy vehicle reform package that paves the way for safer roads for trucks and buses and subsequently for all road users.

The Government has worked closely with all states and territories to forge the historic reform package and is now seeking a CEO to implement the changes.

For the first time in Australia's history, state and territory governments have agreed to unify heavy vehicle legislation under one set of laws. Long haul freight operators will no longer need to meet different laws and rules for log books, driving hours and maximum loads as they cross state borders.

The reforms will give them the freedom to drive across eight Australian states and territories under the one rule book, ending a huge compliance burden for truck drivers.

These reforms will support the growth of the transport sector, with flow-on benefits for the nation of $30 billion over the next 20 years.

The head of the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator will establish national operating systems and procedures for the heavy vehicle sector and ensure compliance with the Heavy Vehicle National Law.

COAG has agreed to a start date of 1 January 2013 for the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator.

For more information on the position please visit www.nhvr.gov.au
 

ICHCA INTERNATIONAL SECRETARIAT AND PANEL NEWS

Mis-declaration of the Loaded Weights of Containers

Last year ICHCA International reported to its members on the subject of the mis-declaration of the loaded weights of containers. The World Shipping Council (WSC), the International Chamber of Shipping and BIMCO combined to submit a document for DSC/16 on the subject (ICHCA International had discussions with WSC during the summer). The WSC document basically called for one additional regulation to be added to SOLAS. The new regulation would require that a verification of the container weight be provided to the terminal and the ship.

At DSC/16 ICHCA International agreed with the meeting generally and WSC, that the verification of the gross weight of container weight was needed and that SOLAS should be expanded to place that duty on the shipper, and suggested that additional guidance should be developed to supplement it. The outcome was an invitation to DSC members to provide proposals for text for both SOLAS changes and guidance for DSC/17 and WSC agreed to head up an informal group to develop such provisions. ICHCA International has joined this group. If you would like more information on this contact richard.brough@ichca.com.

ICHCA 65th Panel Meeting a Success

The 65th ICHCA International Safety Panel meeting incorporating Security and Environment in London in January was a great success. Many interesting and topical subjects were discussed and there were some informative presentations.

ICHCA International would like to thank all those involved with ISP 65 and the experts that both attended and presented. As part of the meeting, security featured prominently. Madam Chairman of the Security Panel Chairman, Carina Dixon, arranged for two high profile speakers to present in the meeting. ICHCA's Cargo World will detail reports on the presentations and an account of the Panel meeting as well as making the presentations freely available to members on the website.

The speakers were the security expert at the IMO, Chris Trelawney, who spoke on New IMO Guidance on the ISPS Code" and Doctor Risto Tallas research fellow at the University of Hull Logistics Institute who addressed Risk Crisis and HSSE Management - a Practical Guide for Port Operators . Both of these presentations were well received, as was the presentation from our esteemed Japanese colleague Tetsuya Shiraishi from MLIT Japan (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism ) on Measures to Prevent Container Crane Runaways.

This meeting had a record level of attendance.

Blog It!

Please take a look at the ICHCA Blog and the Website.

The Blog includes recent relevant cargo handling reports and stories. If you would like a story or a report
'blogged' please don't hesitate to send us an email to blog@ichca.com.

Recent Blog entries include: Vidoetel Calls for Effective Training and Regulation to Avoid Tragedy when
Shipping Dangerous Bulk Cargoes, New IMO Publications, NMSA Safety Innovation Forum, plus much
more.

ICHCA: Spreading the Word

The ICHCA International mantra has always been to spread the word!! In 2011 that is exactly what we did.

Last year ICHCA International attended, presented at and chaired 48 meetings, spanning 12 different countries and many more cities. South Africa was visited for two weeks and meetings were held over that period in Burkina Faso and Cameroon. Meetings have been held across Europe and also in the USA. There have been eight Briefing Pamphlets, four General Series, eight Information Papers and 2 two statements revised and published last year, with more in the pipeline for 2012. That brings our total publications issued to 75, all of which are freely available to members on the member's area of the website. A list and Publication Synopsis is also available on the website for non-members.

In conjunction with our publications we have been liaising with numerous international organisations and companies in our quest to highlight and improve safety, security and environmental issues in the cargo handling industry. Some of those bodies we are working closely with are: IAEA, ILO, IMO, TT Club, PEMA, CARC, ISO, ITCO, COA, EFIBCA, LEEA and The International Group of P&I Clubs, to name a few.

Current Topics that we are updating our members on include:

• Mis-declaration of the weight of loaded containers
• ACEP's- Approved Continuous Examination program
• Timber Deck Cargoes, Solid Bulk Cargoes
• Packing of CTU's (Container Transport Units)
• Reefer Containers, Training of Portworkers, ISO
• Standards, Container Seals Security and Safety
• Cargo Handling and Carbon Emissions
• Liquefaction of Solid Bulk Cargoes.

Government Consults on Tax Reforms for Shipping Industry

The Federal Government is seeking feedback from industry on the major element of its package of reforms to the Australian shipping industry. The tax reforms are designed to stimulate investment in Australian shipping and encourage Australian ownership of ships and ship operations. They include:

• an income tax exemption where Australian shipping operators will not pay any income tax on core shipping activities
• an accelerated rate of depreciation for ships so that they can be written off in ten years rather than the current average 20 years, including roll-over relief from income tax if a replacement ship is purchased
• a refundable tax offset for companies employing Australian seafarers on international voyages.

The Australian shipping industry has been operating at a substantial disadvantage compared to operators which register in many other countries around the world and have access to beneficial tax, regulatory and employment arrangements.

These reforms will address the current decline in the Australian shipping industry.

The tax reforms are part of a broader shipping reform package which aims to:

• foster global competitiveness in a simplified three-tier licensing framework for participation in the coastal trade
• establish an Australian International Shipping Register to put Australian companies on a level footing with their international competitors
• establish a Maritime Workforce Development Forum to progress key maritime skills and training priorities.

Exposure draft bills that will be administered by the Department of Infrastructure and Transport are available at www.infrastructure.gov.au/maritime/shipping_reform and Exposure draft bills containing the tax reforms can be found at www.treasury.gov.au

Submissions on the exposure draft bills and accompanying exposure draft explanatory memorandums are sought by close of business on 5 March 2012 to facilitate the start of reforms on 1 July 2012.

NSW Long-Term Transport Master Plan Discussion Paper Released

The NSW Long Term Transport Master Plan Discussion Paper has been released. A copy can be downloaded at www.transportmasterplan.nsw.gov.au.

The discussion paper draws on contributions from the Advisory Group meetings to date, the plan's launch on 30 November 2011 and online feedback.

The purpose of the discussion paper is to:

• Examine the issues, challenges and opportunities facing the transport system in Sydney and across NSW.
• Put forward options to stimulate debate, in particular asking how innovation and carefully integrated planning and investment might achieve a sustainable transport system that meets the state's needs.
• Seek views from the community and industry on how the NSW Long Term Transport Master Plan should respond to the issues, challenges and opportunities facing the transport system.

Submissions can be made by emailing masterplan@transport.nsw.gov.au or posting to:

NSW Long Term Transport Master Plan Team
Transport for NSW
PO Box K659
Haymarket NSW 1240

Submissions will close on 27 April 2012.

For more information please visit www.transportmasterplan.nsw.gov.au. You can also join the conversation on Twitter @NSWMasterPlan.

Proposal to Streamline Rail Fatigue Regulations and Safety

Australians are being urged to have their say on proposed options for the consistent national regulation of the management of fatigue risk in the rail industry under the new Rail Safety National Law to start in 2013. The National Transport Commission (NTC) has released a draft regulatory impact statement for public comment, which outlines four options for regulating the hours of work and rest for rail safety workers.

NTC Chief Executive, Nick Dimopoulos said variations currently exist in how states and territories regulate fatigue across the country but this is set to change. "Complying with multiple fatigue management regulations can be costly and confusing for the rail industry, particularly interstate operators," Mr Dimopoulos said. "We've been working closely with the project office, governments, industry, unions and fatigue experts to look at ways to harmonise the requirements across the country, while boosting safety and productivity."

Mr Dimopoulos said Australia was set to reap significant benefits if agreement can be reached on the requirements. "Introduction of agreed national fatigue requirements will lead to a safer, more efficient and more competitive rail industry," Mr Dimopoulos said.

The release of the regulatory impact statement follows Standing Council on Transport and Infrastructure (SCOTI) approval of the laws to establish a National Rail Safety Regulator for Australia last November. The laws include requirements for managing the safety of rail operations, such as managing risks like fatigue.

Director of the project office overseeing the establishment of the regulator, Julie Bullas, said the release of the regulatory impact statement is an important step in the journey to a national system of rail safety regulation. "We're well on the way to the establishment of the national regulator and we're looking forward to continuing to work with stakeholders in the lead up to 2013," Ms Bullas said.

The NTC and National Rail Safety Regulator Project Office will conduct a series of consultation forums in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth during March to seek feedback on the draft regulatory impact statement.

Registrations for the consultation forums are now open: http://emgevents.com/event/ntc/.

The Rail Safety National Law Fatigue Risk Management - Hours of Work and Rest Draft Regulatory Impact Statement is available to download on the NTC website at www.ntc.gov.au.

Submissions on the draft regulatory impact statement can be made through the NTC website or by post to the Chief Executive, National Transport Commission, Level 15/628 Bourke Street, Melbourne Vic 3000.

The public consultation period will close on 21 March 2012.

The final regulatory impact statement will be submitted to SCOTI for approval in May 2012.

For more information about the National Rail Safety Regulator visit: www.nrsrproject.sa.gov.au 

Comings and Goings

Local businesswoman, Natalia Scopelliti, has been appointed the Board of the Port of Townsville. She has extensive experience in marketing, media and promotions and will bring skills in community and stakeholder engagement at a time of significant growth for the port.

 

ICHCA International Limited is a supporting organisation for Transport Events Management events which are listed on the ICHCA International website www.ichcainternational.co.uk/events.

IAL's Privacy Policy Details are available by contacting the National Secretary, Ian Lovell, on e-mail ian.lovell@bigpond.com or telephone 0400 708 182.