Funeral/Memorial: Kym Frearson
Dear All,
A memorial tribute to Kym Frearson, followed by his wake, will be helf as follows:
1pm Thursday 8th September
Northern Suburbs Hockey Club
Dorrington Park, Mirrabooka Rd,
Ashgrove QLD 4060
Please come as you are, “just like he’d want”.
Kind Regards
Darren Dumbleton
SILA Logistics Pty Ltd
Hanjin Line Receivership
Dear Clients,
The following article has been written by Sohee Kim & Kyunghee Park for Bloomberg and is forwarded for your attention.
“As reported in Bloomberg today Hanjin Shipping Co. will apply for court receivership after lenders decided to halt all support to South Korea’s biggest container shipping line.
The Hanjin board decided unanimously on the move at a meeting in Seoul Wednesday and will file for receivership this afternoon, a spokesman said. The restructuring proposals submitted by Hanjin Shipping weren’t enough to address a cash shortage, main lender Korea Development Bank said Tuesday, dealing a blow to the revival efforts by a firm that’s been trying to reschedule debt under a voluntary creditor-led program since May.
Hanjin is among shipping lines grappling with a slump in global trade since the 2008 financial crisis and the slowest pace of economic growth in China in a quarter century. The industry worldwide has been forced to sell assets, cut jobs and idle some operations to bolster finances as the slowdown coupled with overcapacity eroded freight rates.”
Read the full article HERE.
In other places such as Canada, service providers in rail and road, for example CN Rail, has put a 24 hour “pause period” on all Hanjin containers and is waiting for further information from Hanjin.
In addition, in terminals, Hanjin containers are not being released during the “pause period”. It is not improbable that such actions could occur within Australia, and SILA recommends reviewing sea carriage arrangements with Suppliers.
Shipments which are being arranged by SILA and possibly booked with Hanjin will be redirected to other carriers wherever possible.
Kind Regards
SILA Customer Sevice
Changes to Quarantine Packing Declarations
Dear All,
We would like to again bring to your attention a key change that will affect clearance of goods through the Department of Agriculture and Water Recourses (Australia Quarantine formerly DAFF / AQIS). It is related to “Prohibited packaging material statement” on packing declarations.
‘Prohibited packaging material statement’ as required by Department of Agriculture and Water Recourses (DAWR) policy has been replaced by the ‘unacceptable packaging statement’.
DAWR has received legal advice that the ‘unacceptable packaging statement’ must only be used under the new Biosecurity Act 2015.
The DAWR will continue to accept the prohibited packaging statement until 16 June 2017.
A new packing declaration template is now published on the DAWR website to reflect this change. To download the new packing (Packer/Supplier – Combined FCL/LCL packing declaration or annual packing declaration) templates click HERE.
It is important that suppliers/packers are informed of this change to ensure they comply after 16 June 2017.
Kind Regards
SILA Customer Service
National Seaport and Airport Strikes on the way – Expect Delays to Freight
Dear Customers,
AN ACROSS-the-board strike by Border Force officers who are also members of the Community & Public Sector Union will likely delay air- and sea-freight.
Notice has been given by the Union to the Department of Immigration & Border Protection that a 24 hour strike across the country will take place in mid-August. CPSU members in the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, including quarantine and biosecurity at airports, will also strike for a one hour stop-work meeting on that day.
CPSU National Secretary Nadine Flood said: “This strike by workers in Immigration, Border Force and Agriculture reflects the frustration that continues to grow across the Commonwealth public sector. These people have been fighting for more than two years now as the Turnbull Government’s sought to strip their rights, conditions and take-home pay.”
“As with past strikes, the impact of this action is likely to vary from place to place, but may cause delays for international air passengers. Despite Border Force’s cynical tactics in the Fair Work Commission prior to the election, our members are 100% committed to national security and their action will not compromise the safety of passengers in any way.”
“Across the public service, around 75% of staff still don’t have new enterprise agreements; that’s more than 100,000 workers and their families who have now gone three years without a pay rise while struggling to hold on to basic workplace rights and conditions, particularly the ones that allow them to balance work with family commitments.”
Details of the strike(s) are as follows:
MARINE / INTERMODAL TERMINALS
All CPSU members at DIBP workplaces in 10 Cooks River Rd, NSW
A stoppage of work starting at 21:45 hours local time and ending at 24:00 hours local time on Thursday 11 August 2016
All CPSU members in all States and Territories
A stoppage of work starting at 00:00 hours local time and ending at 24:00 hours local time on Friday 12 August 2016
All CPSU members in “Maritime Operations, Regional Command” at 1010 LaTrobe Street, Melbourne, VIC
A stoppage of work starting at 00:00 hours local time and ending at 02:21 hours local time on Saturday 13 August 2016
AIRPORTS
All CPSU members in “Team 1” at the International Terminal of Perth Airport
A stoppage of work starting at 21:15 hours local time and ending at 24:00 hours local time on Thursday 11 August 2016
All CPSU members in Melbourne International Airport in the “C Shift”
A stoppage of work starting at 00:00 hours local time and ending at 01:00 hours local time on Saturday 13 August 2016
All CPSU members in Brisbane International Airport
A stoppage of work starting at 00:00 hours local time and ending at 04:30 hours local time on Saturday 13 August 2016.
All CPSU members in Cairns International Airport
A stoppage of work starting at 00:00 hours local time and ending at 00:30 hours local time on Saturday 13 August 2016.
Forecasting the impact of the strike is difficult as industrial action is available to every member of the CPSU in every area where border force staff normally work. Any response by the Department would have to be taken into account which, we understand from the CPSU, has “resources” that it can deploy.
However, it seems likely that air- and sea-freight and cargo operations will be affected.
Some roles are exempt from the strike on safety and national security grounds e.g. employees on vessels at sea, employees with intelligence responsibilities, counter-terrorism units and so on.
Comment has been sought from the Australian Border Force which responded:
“The Department has received notice that some employees of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection, including the Australian Border Force, who are members of the CPSU may take part in protected industrial action at international airports, sea ports, container examination facilities, client services, visa processing sections and international mail facilities.
“We will be working closely with stakeholders to minimise the impact on business, the travelling public and on cargo and mail operations. We also have appropriate contingencies in place for visa and citizenship services.
“The Department is working hard to deliver a revised enterprise agreement offer that addresses many of the key issues raised by employees.”
Kind Regards
SILA Customer Service
National Roadworthiness Baseline Survey Underway
Dear Customers,
HEAVY vehicles on Australian roads may see delays over the next two months, as the National Roadworthiness Baseline Survey – a “national health check” – gets underway.
National Heavy Vehicle Register (NHVR) CEO Sal Petroccitto said heavy vehicle operators need to advise their drivers and clients to allow appropriate time and have contingencies in place for potential vehicle inspections.
“If a vehicle is selected it will have a comprehensive visual inspection which, depending on the condition of the vehicle, may take on average 30 minutes and in certain case around 45 minutes,” he said.
“Operators must be prepared for a potential delay. We understand the importance of time in the supply chain and with drivers’ cooperation we will ensure minimal disruption occurs.
“Several pilots across the nation were conducted during July to ensure that inspections were completed as quickly as possible.
“We met with 130 inspection staff in 12 workshops across Australia in preparation for the survey. The health check will deliver a clear picture of roadworthiness. We’re doing it right, not rushed.”
An industry webinar on July 26 also answered questions from more than 440 participants regarding how and why the health check is being conducted.
The National Roadworthiness Baseline Survey is the first time the same inspection would be undertaken at the same time to the same standard nationally, according to Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester.
“For the first time we’ll have a single approach and set of rules for inspecting and assessing the safety condition of heavy vehicles,” Mr Chester said.
“The National Heavy Vehicle Inspection Manual now provides a nationally-consistent approach to assessing compliance to the vehicle standards.
“From today heavy vehicle health check inspections will be conducted by authorised officers at roadside check points and in depots throughout Australia to the same standard.
“This snapshot of the fleet’s condition will identify factors that increase the risk of incidents, assist to develop a national risk-based inspection approach and identify high-risk components, systems, vehicles or operators.”
Kind Regards
SILA Customer Service
Patrick Terminal Ancillary Charges
Dear Customers,
We wish to inform you that we have received notification that Patrick Terminals will increase their terminal ancillary charges from July 1 2016. We are monitoring the effects this may have on our supply chain and will contact customers directly if any of the changes impact your business.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
Kind Regards
SILA Customer Service
Weight of Containers Needs to be Verified - Effective 1st July 2016
What are the changes effective July 1st 2016?
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted amendments to the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention (Chapter VI, part A, regulation 2), that requires packed containers’ gross mass to be verified prior to stowage aboard ship. These changes have become applicable under Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) Law as a member of the IMO.
As from July 1st 2016 this regulation, prohibits loading of a packed container which does not have proof of verified gross mass (VGM) and applies to all packed containers which are to be loaded onto a vessel.
What do you need to do effective July 1st 2016?
The responsibility for obtaining and providing the verified gross mass lies with the shipper/packer of the container. The VGM details need to be provided to the shipping line sufficiently in advance of vessel loading and must be provided at the time of lodging the Pre Receival Advice (PRA) which is processed before the container can arrive at the terminal.
In order for us to declare the VGM on your behalf when lodging the PRA, we will require a declaration from the shipper confirming the following;
- VGM of each container
- VGM is the weight of all packages and cargo items, including the weight of pallets, dunnage and other securing material to be packed in the container PLUS the tare weight of the container
- How the VGM was calculated
- Further details follow on the available methods of calculation
- Who is declaring the VGM
- The VGM must be declared by a duly authorised person
How to determine the VGM?
The SOLAS regulations prescribes two methods by which the shipper may obtain the verified gross mass of a packed container.
- The shipper may weigh the packed and sealed container using calibrated and certified equipment
- SILA Can arrange to weigh the packed container via a service which utilises mobile weighing equipment at your premise prior to collection
- Alternatively, the container can be weighed at a public weigh station on route to terminal
Please advise SILA if you wish to utilise either of the above methods and we can provide the costs to you
- The shipper may add the weight of each package stuffed in the container, add the packing and securing material and add the tare weight of the utilized container. Weight obtained using this method must be from the use of calibrated and certified weighing equipment.
An estimation of weight is absolutely NOT permitted.
How can you submit the VGM?
You may advise the VGM on the Forwarding instruction, commercial invoice, Packing List or a VGM Document (SILA can provide one you can use).
Whichever way you provide the VGM it must be containing the following critical information;
- Verified Gross Weight for all non-empty container
- Method of Weight calculation
- Date of verification
- Name of Declarant
- Company name of the Declarant
- Phone or email of the Declarant.
What happens if your VGM is not submitted?
A packed container, for which the verified gross mass has not been obtained will not be loaded on the vessel. Loading of a packed container without VGM to a vessel is an offence against an existing SOLAS regulation. This will result in the container being held.
Where to get further information? Information on the legislation can be found on the following websites: http://www.worldshipping.org/industry-issues/safety/cargo-weight
https://shippingaustralia.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/VGM_Factsheet_WEB.pdf
https://www.1-stop.biz/news/the-vgm-and-what-it-means-for-you/
SinoTrans Ranked Third World's Largest Ocean Freight Forwarder
Dear Valued Clients,
We are pleased to announce that SinoTrans Ltd has been ranked as the third largest ocean freight forwarder in the world handling the equivalent of 2,790,400 TEU last year according to Transport Topics 2015.
Please do not hesitate to contact us for all your freight forwarding needs and enquiries on sales@sila.net.au.
Kind Regards
SILA Customer Service
Further MUA Action
Dear Clients,
We wish to advise you that late yesterday evening the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) issued notice of intent to take Protected Industrial Action lasting 48 hours at the Patrick East Swanson Terminal in Melbourne beginning next Thursday April 21 at 07.00am and ending 07.00am Saturday April 23. This latest notice is in addition to the protected action occurring this week at the Sydney Autostrad Terminal and next week at Brisbane Autostrad Terminal.
Please do not hesitate to contact us should you require any further information.
Kind Regards
SILA Customer Service
Patrick Update: Container Terminals' Protected Industrial Action - Brisbane
Dear All,
The Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) have issued notice of intent to take Protected Industrial Action lasting 48 hours at Patricks Brisbane Autostrad Terminal, beginning next Tuesday April 19 at 07.00 am and ending 07.00am Thursday April 21. This latest notice is in addition to the protected action occurring this week at the Sydney Autostrad Terminal.
Below are details of those notified stoppages:
Sydney Autostrad Terminal
• 48-hour strike, beginning 06.00 hrs Wednesday April 13 to 06.00 hrs Friday April 15.
Brisbane Autostrad Terminal
• 48-hour strike, beginning 07.00 hrs Tuesday April 19 to 07.00 hrs Thursday April 21.
Please monitor your vessel cut off and availabilities closely during this period to avoid any delays and additional costs incurred.
If you have any questions or enquiries, please do not hesistate to contact the SILA Customer Service Team.
Kind Regards
SILA Customer Service