SOLAS Regulations on Verified Gross Mass (VGM)
Dear Clients,
In accordance with the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and International Maritime Organization (IMO) Circular MSC. 1/Circ. 1475, From 1 July 2016 all full containers being loaded onto a vessel must have made a declaration of Verified Gross Mass (VGM) in advance. We would like to draw your attention to THIS informative Fact Sheet released by Shipping Australia in regards to Container Weight Verification.
This fact sheet has a focus on how Australian Exporters will deliver our VGM via the Pre Receival Advice (PRA) Portal however declaration of VGM will apply to containers globally and we encourage you to raise this issue with any suppliers or business partners and ensure they are beginning preparations for compliance.
As always, if you would like any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Kind Regards,
SILA Customer Service
DP World Melbourne Stop Work Meeting 19/02
Dear Clients,
SILA has received advice from DP World that an authorised Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) Stop Work meeting will be held in Melbourne this FRIDAY 19/02 from 1230 hrs to 1630 hrs.
There will be NO timeslots from zones 1200 to 1600 inclusive. (last zone on dayshift will be 1100 hrs)
Our SILA team will keep you informed should this effect your shipment.
Kind Regards,
SILA Customer Service
SinoTrans Corporate Introduction Video
Hello Everyone,
Please click here to view our new YouTube introduction to SinoTrans.
Sinotrans Limited (referred to as “Sinotrans”) was incorporated on 20 November 2002 and listed on Hong Kong Stock Exchange on 13 February 2003 with Sinotrans & CSC Group (referred to as “the Group”) as its controlling shareholder. Sinotrans was injected the Group’s core businesses, superior assets and professional staff, and has inherited the Group’s over sixty-years of experience in logistics and transportation, strong customer bases and world-renowned brand. The company has become the flagship of developing integrated logistics in the Group. As of the end of Jun,2015, Sinotrans had 26174 employees, a total asset of RMB36.4 billion, and a net asset of RMB18.9 billion.
Sinotrans is a leading global integrated logistics service provider. We integrate ocean freight, air freight, road and rail transport, international express, shipping agency, warehousing and distribution, terminal services etc. to provide end-to-end supply chain solutions and one-stop services and help our customers optimize their material, information and capital flow. We have extensive operational resources, and have been focused on establishing integrated marketing system and standard operation platform.
Sinotrans’ network covers all parts of China and five continents of the world. We are dedicated to becoming a leading global integrated logistics service provider preferred by our customers home and abroad. We will meet your expectation with excellent service no matter if your logistics requirement is simple or complex. Furthermore, Sinotrans puts great emphasis on innovation whether it involves the extension of our basic services or the adoption of a wholly-new service pattern. We are eager to share every innovation with our customers and pursue excellence in service to help you achieve sustainable growth
Kind Regards
SILA Customer Service
Transport of coiled materials - TT Club Stop Loss Guide
Hello Everyone,
We would like to bring the following information to your attention which has been provided by our insurer, TT Club. The Club has updated its Stop Loss Briefing guide which addresses the carriage of metal coils and focuses on correct container packing techniques to help mitigate product and container damage during transit.
The TT Talk article can be read here and a full copy of the Stop Loss document can be found here
We highly recommend reading and implementing this guide and forwarding a copy to your mills, packers and suppliers in order to reinforce correct techniques or suggest improvements that could be made.
Kind Regards
SILA Customer Service
MUA National Stop work Meeting at Patrick Terminals
Good Morning,
We wish to advise that notice has been received of an MUA National Stop work Meeting at Patrick Terminals on Monday as below;
“Please be advised the Maritime Union of Australia will conduct a National Stop Work affecting all Patrick Terminals Nationally on Monday 18/01/16 from 06:00 to 06:00 Tuesday the 19/01/16 and again 10:00 Tuesday 19/01/16 to 14:00 Tuesday, Overall the Terminal will not be open to carriers from 05:00 Monday to 14:00 Tuesday, Vessels availability will be adjusted.”
Our team at SILA will keep you informed should this have any effect on your shipment.
Kind Regards
SILA Customer Service
Changes to ACBP Import Processing Charges
Dear Clients,
In a previous notice we touched on the news that Customs intended to restructure their import processing fees. We wish to advise you that effective 1st January 2016 Australian Customs and Border Protection will implement their new fee structure for import processing fees. Link to the charges can be found here, overall there is a very small (A$0.60) decrease on 'average' Import Sea FCL entries.
As always, should you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact our team.
Kind Regards,
SILA Customer Service
Notice of DIBP Protected Industrial Action - 11 December 2015
Good Afternoon,
We have received notice from that Department of Immigration and Border Protection that Industrial Action which has already commended will be extended until 18th December and we expect possible disruptions and container examination facilities.
Our team at SILA will inform you should this adversely affect your shipment. Further info about the action can be read here
Kind Regards,
SILA Customer Serviec
China Australia Free Trade Agreement Update
Good Afternoon,
We would like to update you on the latest development in the China Australia Free Trade Agreement. Although there has been no public announcement, a possible commencement date of 20 December 2015 has been advised at a recent ECA Ministerial Roundtable as advised in the following article written by Andrew Hudson - Prepare for ChAFTA start on 20 December 2015
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact your SILA representative.
Kind Regards
SILA Customer Service
Notice of DIBP Protected Industrial Action - 4 December 2015
Good Morning,
We have received notice of Department of Immigration and Border Protection Industrial action to commence next week and expect possible disruptions and container examination facilities.
“Some employees of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection including the Australian Border Force, who are members of the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU), will take part in protected industrial action at various work sites over 7-9 December 2015.The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) have given notice of 24 hour work bans over 7-9 December 2015, which will impact container/ cargo examination facilities and international mail facilities nationally."
Our team at SILA will inform you should this adversely affect your shipment. Further info about the action can be read here
Kind Regards
SILA Customer Service
Container Detention During Holiday Period Dec 2015
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 2015 to 15th January 2016.
SILA will not be held accountable for detention during this period 15th December 2015 to 15th January 2016 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 thankyou for your support and look forward to a prosperous new year !
Kind Regards
SILA Customer Service