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IN THIS ISSUE
• ICHCA Australia Joins DAFF Cargo Consultative Committee
• ICHCA Membership Fees for 2013 Not Increased
• ICHCA Questionnaire: Managing Security Seals
• Now This is What You Call a Forklift Driver
• Good Compliance Equals Faster Processing
• New Queensland Rail and Port Appointments
• Free Trade Agreement with Malaysia
• China’s Rise Dominates Trade
• Forkliftaction.com – Leading Materials Handling Resource
ICHCA Australia Joins DAFF Cargo Consultative Committee
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Chairman of ICHCA Australia Limited, Tony Grant, has welcomed the opportunity for ICHCA Australia to provide its industry perspective as a member of the Department of Agriculture,
Fisheries and Forestry Cargo Consultative Committee. Mr Grant said, “We are delighted that John Warda, Director of ICHCA Australia and Group General Manager –Supply Chain and Operations for Emerald Grain, has agreed to represent ICHCA on this important committee.”
Mr Warda said biosecurity and the way in which it impacts on the supply chain is of vital interest to ICHCA members and can make or break Australia’s competitive position. “There is a lot happening in DAFF related to cargo and supply chains and we look forward
to the release of DAFF’s draft stakeholder charter in the first quarter of this year. In addition to providing input through the Cargo Consultative Committee, I look forward to ICHCA members contacting me with their issues at
JWarda@emeraldgrain.com,” he said.
At the December 2012 meeting of the DAFF Cargo Consultative Committee a wide range of matters were discussed including:
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• Increased use of E-Lodgement for entry management (Automatic Entry Processing, DAFF Ruler, eCerts iMports, BICON - scheduled to go live in June 2013)
• Biosecurity Management Systems
• Customs Brokers Training
• Food Import Compliance Agreements
• DAFF Front Counter Review
• Changes to First Points of Entry
• Development of the Cargo Consultative Workplan
• Targeted Campaigns for non-compliance.
It is expected the committee will meet in April, August and December in 2013.
The role of ICHCA on the DAFF Cargo Consultative Committee reflects ICHCA’s role as a credible NGO both in Australia and internationally. (Its NGO status is recognised by the International Atomic Energy Agency, International Labour Office, International Maritime
Organization, International Standards Organisation and other organisations).
ICHCA Membership Fees For 2013 Not Increased
In an environment of increased costs the ICHCA Australia Board has agreed not to increase membership fees in 2013. “ By not increasing member fees we are providing extra value to our members. We are also including free listing of member organisations on our
website with a hot link to their own home page. We will be updating the profiles and encourage organisations to join ICHCA or if they are already a member renew their subscriptions by the 31st of March 2013” said ICHCA Australia Chairman, Tony Grant.
The value proposition of ICHCA Australia membership well outweighs the cost of membership in terms of accessing a valuable national and international network, using ICHCA’s technical advisory services, obtaining publications on key safety, security and cargo
handling at no extra charge and increasing your company profile on the ICHCA website and in Inside ICHCA our monthly e-newsletter that has an estimated circulation of 3,000.
ICHCA is currently in the planning stage and welcomes suggestions from its members on conferences and events that they want covered in 2013-2014.
For further information please contact
Ian Lovell
Company Secretary
ICHCA Australia Limited
9 Durham Street
Henley Beach SA 5022
Mobile 0400708182
www.ichca-australia.com
ICHCA QUESTIONNAIRE - Best Practice for the
Management of Security Seals in the Supply Chain
At the last meeting of the International Safety Panel – now called the ICHCA Expert Panel – there was some discussion relating to Security Considerations in Cargo Handling. The Chairman of the Security Section, Carina Dixon, developed an outline document for
the panel to consider and it agreed that such a document should be taken forward.
On that basis, Carina has developed a simple questionnaire for circulation to the ICHCA membership relating to the best practice for the management of security seals in the supply chain. This questionnaire is attached and it would be greatly appreciated if
you could give a little of your time to answering the questions, if of course these subject questions relate to your involvement/practice.
ICHCA thanks you in advance for your time and input which will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.
Now This Is What You Call a Forklift Operator!
Click on link below:
http://biertijd.com/mediaplayer/?itemid=34305
Good Compliance Equals Faster Processing
Importers who comply with biosecurity requirements can expect to have goods released more quickly - 16 times more quickly for sea cargo and 100 times more quickly for air cargo - than those who do not comply.
A new report by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), 2008–12 Imported Cargo Processing: a DAFF Time Release Study, looks at how quickly and efficiently imported cargo was cleared through Australia’s international border.
First Assistant Secretary of Border Compliance Division, Tim Chapman, said the study showed an importer’s compliance was the key factor in forecasting how quickly cargo directed to DAFF for a biosecurity assessment cleared the border.
“For example, in 2011/12, the median arrival-to-release time for compliant sea cargo was about 0.7 days, while it was about 11 days for non-compliant cargo.
“Similarly, compliant air cargo’s median arrival-to-release time of 1.2 hours was more than 100 times faster than the 122 hours it took on average to process non-compliant cargo in 2011/12,” Mr Chapman said.
DAFF’s key role is to manage the biosecurity risks of imported goods to Australia’s environment and animal, plant and human health. It needs to do this with minimum impact on the movement of people and goods into and out of Australia.
Mr Chapman said there was inherently more risk involved in importing some commodities, like live plants and animals. This study shows that where the risk is appropriately managed by the importer and their agents, businesses can expect to save time and money
no matter what commodity they import,” Mr Chapman said.
Those bringing in televisions can always expect to clear the border faster than those bringing in fresh produce. “But those who import fresh produce and have the appropriate documentation, showing how they manage the risks outlined in import conditions, can
expect a shorter delay than those who bring in the same commodity and can’t show the same risk management measures.”
About 3.8 million consignments and 6.9 million cargo directions were analysed to find that:
• There have been sustained improvements in cargo release times every year since 2008/09.
• The median arrival-to-release time for 2011/12 air cargo was 1.5 hours, down 84% from 9.7 hours in 2008/09. This is largely due to electronic document sharing with express couriers.
• For sea cargo, the median arrival-to-release time was 1.6 days in 2011/12, down 15% from 2008/09s median of 1.9 days.
DAFF’s recently released Imports Compliance Statement 2012–13 outlines how the department is working to improve the compliance of imported goods. The Imported Cargo Processing study confirms that compliance with biosecurity requirements has a significant effect
on all release times.
New Queensland Appointments for
Rail and Port Authorities
Queensland Treasurer and Minister for Trade, Tim Nicholls, has announced new appointments to the boards of Queensland’s ports and rail bodies. He said the new appointees brought an ideal skill set to the Government-owned corporations.
Gordonvale sugarcane grower and former Cairns councillor, Paul Gregory, and Bell Potter Securities client advisor, Greg Nucifora, have been appointed to the board of Ports North (Far North Queensland Ports Corporation Ltd). They join Robert Macalister who has
been reappointed.
Engineer, Alan Grummitt, brings 50 years’ experience in ports and harbour engineering to his appointment as a director of North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation Ltd (NQBP).
UDP Consulting Engineers managing director, Patrick Brady, will join the board of Port of Townsville Ltd (POTL). Jessups Accountants and Business Advisors partner, Ian Jessup, and commercial, corporate and property lawyer, Dominique Tim So, have also been
appointed to the POTL board.
Dawson Petie has been reappointed to the Queensland Rail board. Mr Petie is joined by industrial and employment solicitor, Geoff Harley, chief executive officer of the Collaborative Research Centre for Rail Innovation, David George, and infrastructure director
with QC Resource Investments, Wendy McMillan.
Free Trade Agreement with Malaysia in Force
Australia’s free trade agreement with Malaysia has come into force, opening up opportunities for exporters and investors across most sectors. A total of 97.6% of Australian goods currently exported to Malaysia are eligible for tariff-free treatment, rising
to 99% in 2017.
Service providers - including universities, schools, banks, insurers, telecoms companies and accountancy firms - will also benefit, with increased access to the Malaysian market and an easing of rules on control of Malaysian businesses.
Trade and Competitiveness Minister, Craig Emerson, said the Malaysia-Australia Free Trade Agreement (MAFTA) would further integrate the Australian economy into the fast-growing Asian region.
“It builds on the benefits already flowing from the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand FTA to open up new opportunities for investors and exporters,” Dr Emerson said. “This high-quality agreement reduces trade barriers, increases transparency and provides greater
business certainty, making it easier for Australians to do business in Malaysia.”
Dr Emerson said Australian exporters would benefit from improved market access for a variety of goods and services, including liquid milk and processed foods, automotive vehicles and parts, iron and steel.
Under MAFTA, the remaining Australian tariffs on Malaysian goods have been removed, helping lower the cost of consumer goods for Australians.
MAFTA is Australia’s seventh free trade agreement. Agreements are already in force with Chile, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, the United States and the multiparty ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand FTA.
China's Rise Dominates Yearly Trade Round-up
China's growing importance as an export destination is the leading feature piece in the recently released 2012 Composition of Trade report.
New research by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade shows that while minerals and fuels top the list of Australian exports to China, the agriculture, manufacturing and services industries have also expanded. Major exports in these sectors include education,
wool, cotton and pharmaceutical products.
The Composition of Trade publication shows that China remained Australia's top trading partner in the 2011-12 financial year, with two-way trade of $127.8 billion, equal to 20% of total trade. Japan and the United States followed, with $75.7 billion and $56.7
billion worth of trade, respectively.
China was also Australia's largest merchandise trading partner ($120.2 billion) while the United States was the largest services trading partner ($16.1 billion) in 2011/12.
Composition of Trade shows that overall exports of Australian goods and services grew by 6.2% in 2011/12, to $315.8 billion, giving way to a trade surplus of $4.8 billion. Imports were up 13% to $311 billion.
The report also shows:
• Australia's trade volumes grew by nearly 8% over the previous year.
• Australia's terms of trade increased slightly, up 0.4% .
• Exports of insurance and pension services, as well as financial services grew strongly. They were both up about 30%.
Composition of Trade is part of a series published each year by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on Australia's international trade in goods and services. The analyses and tables from the publication, along with Excel pivot tables, are available
on the DFAT website:
http://www.dfat.gov.au/publications/stats-
Forkliftaction.com the World’s Leading
Resource for Materials Handling
Like all great initiatives Forkliftaction.com grew out of a specific need. At its time of inception, Forkliftaction’s creator and executive director, Michael Leu, a seasoned business owner within the forklift industry, was struck by his frequent need to quickly
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Since its inception the newsletter has seen a number of popular additions, including profiles of industry leaders and regular columns such as ‘Safety First’, written by leading trainers and safety consultants in North America, Europe and Australia.
According to general manager, Ann Hofmans, one of the most popular additions has been the industry feature articles, which take an in-depth look at new products, industry developments and market sector performance. Read the latest feature article in which
reporter, Melissa Barnett, looks back at the materials handling industry in 2012 and at what 2013 may bring: http://www.forkliftaction.com/news/newsdisplay.aspx?nwid=12461
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With over a decade of experience Forkliftaction’s mission remains unchanged: to deliver comprehensive, honest and independent news and business resources for materials handling.
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P: +61 7 3369 9090 F: +61 7 3369 9096 E:
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