MUA Work Stoppage 28/11

Dear All, 

Please be advised that MUA is holding a stoppage on 28/11/17.  This will affect all three Sydney terminals.  There will be no time slots released for 09:00am to 15:00am inclusive.

As a result of this may delay containers scheduled for pick this week. Please feel free to contact SILA if you have any concerns. 

Kind Regards
SILA Customer Service

The Department of Agriculture (DAWR) will be changing the format of packing declarations again.

Dear Clients,

We have received notice that the Department of Agriculture (DAWR) will be changing the format of packing declarations again.

DAWR have released Import Industry Advice Notice 101-2017 – Implementation of revised Minimum Documentary and Import Declaration Requirements and Non Commodity Information Requirements Policies, we would like to remind you the department has now updated the packing declaration templates.

Packing declarations

The department has aligned the Non Commodity Information Requirements policy and the Non Commodity BICON Case with the import conditions for bamboo packaging. Bamboo packaging is now acceptable provided it is treated by an approved method prior to export or on arrival and does not need to be declared as unacceptable packaging.

The department will continue to accept packing declarations that are in the current format for consignments shipped on or before 30 June 2018. All consignments shipped on or after 1 July 2018, must be accompanied by a packaging declaration that meets the revised requirements.

Updated templates are now available on the Acceptable documentation templates webpage to enable you to download and send  to suppliers.

 

Kind Regards

SILA team


On the 24th November 2017 our offices will be closed due to system upgrades & maintenance

Dear Clients,

Please be noted that from 11:30am on the 24th November 2017 our offices will be closed due to system upgrades & maintenance.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Kind Regards SILA Customer Service


MUA stop work meeting planned for Sydney on Thursday 16 November 2017

Dear Valued Clients,

The following has been issued by DP World Australia;

"Please note that an approved stop work meeting has been confirmed for our Sydney Terminal on Thursday, 16 November from 10am to 2pm.

All terminal operations will cease during this period.

Kind Regards
SILA Customer Service


Update from Port Authority of New South Wales – Sydney

Dear Clients,

Please see below received from the DP WORLD Australia team.

Notice of Industrial Action: Friday 27 October 2017

The following was issued by the Port Authority of New South Wales today:

Port Authority of New South Wales has been negotiating with the Australian Maritime Officers Union (AMOU) and Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) over a replacement Enterprise Agreement for its Sydney workforce since February 2017.

Unfortunately these negotiations continue to remain difficult to finalise as the unions are maintaining a position which seeks employment guarantees that Port Authority is unable to provide.

Port Authority of New South Wales wishes to advise that it has now received notification of protected industrial action to be undertaken by MUA members working on board pilot cutters operated by the Port Authority from Port Jackson and Port Botany as follows:

  • 24 hour stoppage commencing at 0600 Friday 27th October 2017.

The action proposed will suspend the use of the pilot vessels to embark and disembark Pilots in Port Jackson and Port Botany. The MUA have agreed to exempt the following functions from any industrial action:

  • Watch keeping at sea;
  • Fire Rounds;
  • Port security watches;
  • Safety drills;
  • Product tanker and crude oil tanker vessels;
  • Passenger cruise vessels;
  • All dealings with emergency equipment in any manner; and
  • Any and all safety and emergency related issues.

Please be advised that this industrial action does not exempt perishables and therefore the movement of container vessels scheduled during this period will be affected.

Emergency response, Vessel Traffic Services and other Port Officer functions (other than pilot cutter movements) will be required to continue as normal during this period of industrial action.

Port Authority of New South Wales remains committed to reaching agreement with its employees whilst minimising, wherever possible, the impacts on you and your business, and we will provide regular updates to inform you of further developments at the earliest possible opportunity.

If you have any questions regarding the action and its impacts please contact me on 0419 222 639.

Yours sincerely,

Philip Holliday

Chief Operating Officer & Harbour Master – Sydney

Please contact CCT Schedule if you require any further information.

Email: CCT.Schedule@dpworld.com.au

or Phone: +612 9394 0131

The DP World Australia team

 

Kind Regards

SILA Customer Service


CONTAINER DETENTION DURING HOLIDAY PERIOD DEC 2017

Dear Valued Clients,

The holiday season is upon us we thank you for your support over past year and hope that you and your family have a great Christmas and festive season. We take this opportunity to advise you of the terms that will apply to container collection and dehire over the upcoming Christmas / New Year period.

Please note these terms will apply from 15th December 2017 to 15th January 2018.

SILA will not be held accountable for detention during this period 15th December 2017 to 15th January 2018 customers will need to have a minimum of 10 free days from date of vessel availability to assist in minimising any detention however customers who purchase under C&F , CFR terms will need to request shippers longer detention free periods as needed.

Customers where SILA manages shipping we will provide 10 free days container detention, however should detention be longer than 10 free days then this will be to customer account.

There are various issues that result in container detention at this time:

• Availability days include weekends and public holidays

• Empty parks require time slot bookings and many only operate business days and limited hours

• Receivers operate limited non-public holidays, limited business hours and in some cases are closed for all public holidays and some non-public holidays during this period

• Receivers operate on Skelton staff and cannot receive as much cargo.

SILA thank you for your support and look forward to a prosperous new year !

Kind Regards

SILA Customer Service


SILA is delighted to announce that we have been approved as an Australian Trusted Trader

Dear Reader,

SILA is delighted to announce that we have been approved as an Australian Trusted Trader.

Australian Trusted Trader  is a voluntary trade facilitation initiative. It recognises businesses with a secure supply chain and compliant trade practices, rewarding accredited businesses with a range of trade facilitation benefits. Australian Trusted Trader is an Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme. AEOs work to secure the international supply chain, while facilitating the movement of legitimate trade”.

In order for SILA to be granted ATT status we must have been able to prove and validate security of our supply chain security including the storage, handling of your commercially sensitive data and physical cargo, effective operating processes and standards as well as our ability to demonstrate compliance with Border Force Legislation.

The program has certain benefits to accredited importers and their agents such as the following, which are due to be released during 2017 – 2018;

  • Duty Deferral Arrangements which will assist with the periodic payment of import Duty and GST
  • Streamlining the clearance of consolidated cargo was identified as a valuable benefit that would simplify business processes and reduce the cost of clearance at the border.

Current benefits of the program include

  • Dedicated Account Manager - the single point of contact between our business and the Australian Border Force
  • Priority Trade Services when requesting duty drawbacks, refunds, and advanced rulings on tariff, valuation and origin though Border Force National Trade Advice Centre
  • A ‘seat at the table’ to work in partnership with the Department and ABF giving us an avenue to voice concerns and raise issues that may be prudent to our clients business

SILA would highly recommend our clients review the Australian Trusted Trader Arrangements and consider the benefits that can be had to your business. Is addition to above Importers will be able to take advantage of additional benefits such as 

  • A lighter touch at the border when importing goods
  • Use of the ATT logo, which is also recognised by international customs administrations
  • A monthly report on all goods imported and exported under the business’ ABN
  • Streamlined processes to become an Accredited Sponsor under the Temporary Work (Skilled) Visa (subclass 457) Programme
  • Access to Mutual Recognition Arrangements (MRAs)

Trusted Traders have access to differentiated examinations in countries where Australia has signed a Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA).

Border Force have established MRAs between the Australian Government and some of our key trading partners including:

  • New Zealand Customs Service
  • Republic of Korea Customs Service
  • Canada Border Services Agency
  • Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department.

MRAs provide Australian Trusted Trader exporters with faster access to international markets through reciprocal arrangements with our MRA partner countries. Recognition of the ATT logo in these countries builds confidence in Australian businesses and the security of their international supply chain.

MRAs are currently being pursued with a number of other key trading partners including Singapore, Thailand and China.

Please don’t hesitate to contact Simon Pepper National Customs & Logistics Manager for further information on how SILA can improve supply chain efficiencies via our ATT accreditation.

 

Kind Regards
SILA Customer Service


Melbourne update: authorised stop work meeting 27 October 2017

Dear Clients:

Please see below received from DP WORLD.

 

Please be advised that there will be an approved stop work in Melbourne, which will affect terminal operations:

  • 27 October 2017, 1pm–3pm

Please contact CCT Schedule if you require any further information.

Email: CCT.Schedule@dpworld.com.au or Phone: +612 9394 0131

The DP World Australia team

 

 

Kind Regards
SILA Customer Service

 


Notice of Industrial Action from Port Authority of New South Wales

Dear Clients,

 

Please see below received from the Port Authority of New South Wales in regards to an Industrial Action commencing on 24th October 2017:

 

Port Authority of New South Wales has been negotiating with the Australian Maritime Officers Union (AMOU) and Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) over a replacement Enterprise Agreement for its Sydney workforce since February 2017.

Unfortunately these negotiations continue to remain difficult to finalise as the unions are maintaining a position which seeks employment guarantees that Port Authority is unable to provide.

Port Authority of New South Wales wishes to advise that it has now received notification of protected industrial action to be undertaken by MUA members working on board pilot cutters operated by the Port Authority from Port Jackson and Port Botany as follows:

 

  • 24 hour stoppage commencing at 0600 Tuesday 24th October 2017.

 

The action proposed will suspend the use of the pilot vessels to embark and disembark Pilots in Port Jackson and Port Botany.

 

The MUA have agreed to exempt the following functions from any industrial action:

  • Watch keeping at sea;
  • Fire Rounds;
  • Port security watches;
  • Safety drills;
  • Product tanker and crude oil tanker vessels;
  • Passenger cruise vessels;
  • All dealings with emergency equipment in any manner; and
  • Any and all safety and emergency related issues.

 

Please be advised that this industrial action does not exempt perishables and therefore the movement of container vessels scheduled during this period will be affected.

 

Emergency response, Vessel Traffic Services and other Port Officer functions (other than pilot cutter movements) will be required to continue as normal during this period of industrial action.

Port Authority of New South Wales remains committed to reaching agreement with its employees whilst minimising, wherever possible, the impacts on you and your business, and we will provide regular updates to inform you of further developments at the earliest possible opportunity.

 

Kind Regards

SILA Customer Service


Trojan Port Botany (Sydney) Infrastructure Levy- Effective 13th November 2017

Please be advised that from the 13th November 2017, Trojan Port Botany will be introducing Infrastructure Levies similarly to ANJ Containers and Price & Speed who are introducting their fees from 6th November 2017.

The additional levies for each of these locations will be as follows:

ANJ Container Services (Effective 6th November 2017)

  • FCL Container Infrastructure Levy: AUD 22.50 per container
  • FAK Cargo Infrastructure Levy: AUD 9.50 per cbm

Price & Speed (Effective 6th November 2017)

  • FCL Container Infrastructure Levy: AUD 24.00 per container
  • Airfreight Infrastructure Levy: AUD 15.00 per consignment/AWB

Trojan Port Botany (Effective 13th November 2017)

  • FCL Container Infrastructure Levy: AUD 25.00 per container
  • FAK Cargo Infrastructure Levy: AUD 7.00 per cbm
  • Airfreight Infrastructure Levy: AUD 15.00 per consignment/AWB

For further information, please click on the depot names listed above. All prices exclude GST.

Kind Regards
SILA Customer Service