| Headline News Items: |
| Rates on the Rise?? |
| Reminder on Packing Declarations |
| Market Analysis |
|
Freight Rate Increases |
Shipping lines are determined to attempt a combined effort to increase on freight prices from Asia to Australia. Previous attempts to implement increases on the 15th April and 1st June were less than successful as one shipping line or another made moves to undercut others and keep rates at a low level in an attempt to shore up cargo support. Reports from lines currently is that volumes of containers being shipped is increasing, and some lines are reporting very little free space on their vessels from certain origins, especially North China.
There are set to be further increases in the coming weeks, the increases are outlined in below news articles. For any queries on rates please contact Chris Chalmers, Pauline Watson or Maurie Jones on 1300 186 629.
|
| BAF (Fuel) Increase from North Asia |
Lines have confirmed a BAF (Bunker Adjustment Factor - Fuel Surcharge) increase to be applied from 12th June from North-east Asia (China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Taiwan). The current BAF level is USD 225 per teu, and is set to increase by USD 50 per teu up to USD 275 per teu from the 12th June. Please keep this in mind and rates will be adjusted around that time.
|
| GRI (General Rate Increase) for Asia |
Cargo from both South and North Asia may be subject to a GRI from the 15th June. Lines will attempt to apply a USD 250 per teu rate increase at this time. Previous attempts to increase have failed due to low demand levels for freight space. Further updates on the GRI will be provided asap via updated rate schedules.
|
| BAF (Fuel) Increase from South Asia |
Lines have confirmed a further BAF increase to be applied from 1st July for cargo from South-east Asia (Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam). A BAF incresae was already applied on 1st June to bring the level up from USD 250 per teu to USD 310 per teu. A further increase is being applied from 1st July to bring the BAF level up to USD 375 per teu. Please let us know if any queries regarding these changes.
|
| REMINDER - Urgent New Changes To Packing Declarations |
As of the 1st of August, new packing declarations are coming into force and current packing declarations will be invalid after this date. Please instruct your suppliers to use the new packing declarations as soon as possible.
Another important note is the change to fumigation certificates. If methyl bromide is used then the following statement must be on fumigation certificates:
PLASTIC WRAP DECLARATION - THIS CONSIGNMENT HAS BEEN FUMIGATED PRIOR TO APPLICATION OF PLASTIC WRAPPING OR PLASTIC WRAPPING IN THE CONSIGNMENT CONFORMS TO AQIS WRAPPING AND PERFORATION STANDARD AS FOUND IN THE AQIS METHYL BROMIDE FUMIGATION STANDARD.
Please find attached the new packing declarations in WORD format so that you can pass on to your suppliers.
If you need to discuss any of the above matters, please feel free to call Bruce Crilly, Les Jennings or Jun Liang.
|
| Pacific Brands Container Targeted by Wharfies |
Workers at Melbourne's DP World terminal have refused to load an export container which held plant equipment being sent by Pacific Brands to their new Chinese operation. Pacific Brands announced recently that they were moving 1850 jobs offshore to China which left the Australian workers jobless during a difficult period. The refusal to load the container has been identified by the MUA as a protest against the action by Pacific Brands.
|
| Port Charges to Increase |
The Port of Melbourne Corporation recently announced a 2.5% increase in wharfage charges to be levied on vessel operators, and there is speculation that the Brisbane Port Authority is also going to increase levies by as much as 25%. Confirmation on changes in Brisbane will be forwarded once an announcement is made.
|
| Australian Market Update |
With an almost too quickly appreciating Australian dollar, and successful recent trade fairs, the general outlook for the Australian imported goods market is improving. Clients have reported a good level of sales at recent trade fairs and an increase toward normal levels for this time of year in overall orders. The Australian dollar is tipped to stabilise around the 0.8200 mark against the USD for some time which should help to bring some confidence back for importers. Cargo volumes from China improved in the last few weeks of May, and the bookings for the first week of June reflect a marked increase in the amount of freight moving.
Further enhanced by the reserve bank yesterday deciding to keep interest rates on hold at current levels, the outlook for the Australian market is looking good for the immediate future.
|
| Sydney Ports Propose Peak Surcharge |
The Sydney Ports Corporation has today proposed a surcharge to be placed on transport companies who seek to enter the wharf area during the peak times of 5AM to 1PM. Some transport companies collect containers on bulk runs after hours or in the afternoon, but most importers prefer to have their containers delivered in the morning, hence the congestion at the wharf to avoid staging containers and additional costs. Port authorities state they believe this is the only way to seek to reduce congestion at the terminals. For any queries please contact Bruce Crilly on 1300 186 629.
|
| The Lighter Side |
What do you reckon the bloke on the left is saying to the bloke on the right? Funniest response will get broadcast with a special mention in next newsletter :)
|
 |
