In the media
Australian supply chains threatened by containership
crew-change crisis
As the crew-change crisis inexplicably drags on, Shipping
Australia has warned that vessels will soon be detained, blocking
the country's ports and disrupting supply chains (10 July
2020).
More...
Shipping Australia Ltd: Extensive emergency restrictions
imposed in Australia
Earlier this week (from 07 July 2020) – an extensive
outbreak of COVID-19 in the Australian state of Victoria has caused
the authorities to impose a wide range of restrictions (09 July
2020).
More...
Allow seafarers access to medical care, IMO urges
Seafarers around the world are being denied access to
medical care because of rules set up to combat COVID-19.
Governments must allow mariners to have access to medical
attention, shipping's top body has said (09 July 2020).
More...
TruckTracker app driving traceability innovation
An app that aims to improve animal welfare and supply
chain communication by tracking livestock trucks from paddock to
destination is being developed with the support of a $930,000
Australian Government grant (09 July 2020).
More...
HVIA welcomes action on component type approvals
The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional
Development, and Communications recently revised its approach to
component type approvals, which has been welcomed by the Heavy
Vehicle Industry Association (HVIA) after about a
year of negotiations (09 July 2020).
More...
VIC commercial transport and freight drivers must wear
face masks in SA
South Australian Police have advised that commercial
transport and freight drivers who usually reside in Victoria are
required to wear a face mask when interacting with the public in
South Australia and maintain records of close contacts (09 July
2020).
More...
New oversize load conditions for Toowoomba Bypas
From 20 July 2020, new conditions will be in place for
oversize loads on the Toowoomba Bypass. These conditions are being
introduced to ensure the movement of oversize loads are managed in
a safe and efficient way, minimising the impact to operators whilst
maintaining network efficiency for all road users (09 July 2020).
More...
More funding available to reduce road fatalities
Thirteen projects aimed at reducing road fatalities will
share in $2 million over the next four years through Round 1 of the
Australian Government's Road Safety Innovation Fund (09 July
2020).
More...
NSW/Victoria border closure update
After reviewing the criteria for critical services permits
yesterday, NSW is creating an additional permit, to better support
critical workers in the Freight and Transport sector and to clarify
terms and conditions (09 July 2020).
More...
NSW has temporarily shut its border with Victoria to
contain the spread of COVID-19
If you're travelling from Victoria to NSW, including
carrying freight, you will need a COVID-19 NSW border declaration
permit. A new permit introduced 9 July 2020 seeks to rectify issues
with the NSW entry permit (including requiring a NSW address).
Details are outlined here (09 July 2020).
More...
Ag supply chain traceability boost to keep us
ahead
Australia's status as one of the world's most
trusted sources of clean, green and safe produce will be enhanced
even further through a $4 million agricultural supply chain
traceability boost. (07 July 2020).
More...
NatRoad voices opposition to HVNL fine hike
The National Road Transport Association
(NatRoad) disagrees with recent increases to Heavy
Vehicle National Law (HNVL) penalties. The
increases came into effect on July 1 in line with inflation (07
July 2020).
More...
CTAA welcomes efficiency and consistency message on
ECPs
Transport for NSW publishes the NSW Empty Container Supply
Chain Study, the findings of which gained quick support from one
interested industry party. TfNSW states key reforms could help save
transport and logistics an estimated $49 million per year at Ports
(03 July 2020).
More...
Port Botany stevedore charges issues
Whilst recognising the Minister's involvement in
continuing to be engaged with this issue, IFCBAA does not agree
with the Minister's recent response that 1-Stop be engaged by
the DPW and Patrick to utilise it's software platform to divert
these charges away from carriers and onto "cargo owners"
(03 July 2020).
More...
Transport and freight businesses urged to register as
COVID safe
The NSW Government has launched a new suite of guidance
materials to help all types of businesses manage the risk of
COVID-19. The transport, freight and rideshare plan can be tailored
to variables such as how many people are needed to assist with
deliveries, numbers of passengers and where points of contact occur
(01 July 2020).
More...
NHVR launches heavy vehicle technology blueprint
The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator
(NHVR) has released a
blueprint to support manufacturers and operators to incorporate
the latest safety technology into new and existing heavy vehicles
(30 June 2020).
More...
NTC issues simplified HVNL RIS document
The National Transport Commission (NTC)
has released a simplified version of its Heavy Vehicle National Law
(HVNL) regulation impact statement
(RIS) (30 June 2020).
More...
Time's up: AMSA sets out maximum seafarer service
periods
Ships may be detained if their seafarers have spent too
long at sea, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority
(AMSA) has indicated. An explanation of how AMSA
will respond to a variety of lengthy seafarer-service periods has
been set out in Marine Notice 04/2020 (29 June 2020).
More...
PA NSW scraps restrictive rules on vessel arrivals
Port Authority of New South Wales has scrapped its
restrictions on vessels arriving from Iran, Italy, China or South
Korea. The easing of restrictions was effective as of Friday 26
June 2020 (29 June 2020).
More...
TWU enlists NRFA over ACCC cartel warning
The Transport Workers' Union's
(TWU's) butting heads with the Australian
Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is
showing few signs of being resolved amicably (10 July 2020).
More...
Published – articles, papers, reports
Australasian Railway Association (ARA):
Briefing note
Rail supply chain research project (02 July 2020).
More...
AIS Newsletter 09 July 2020
Industry intelligence, data analytics and research are
more important than ever. Real-time evidence supports the tools to
help decision-makers, businesses and employees to focus on the
skills needed now, and as businesses and the economy recover from
COVID-19.
More...
On The Road - Issue 90, 9 July 2020
NHVR Newsletter 202 - On the Road is our fortnightly
newsletter providing important information on the heavy vehicle
industry, including the latest NHVR news and events, relevant law
and policy changes, and resources to help industry members comply
with the HVNL.
More...
Austroads Strategic Plan 2020-2024
AP-C29-20: 30 June 2020
Austroads has released its 2020-2024 Strategic Plan which refocuses
the organisation to help solve problems for transport agencies in
Australia and New Zealand. Austroads purpose is to provide
high-quality, practical and impartial advice.
More...
Practice and Regulation
NTC: HVNL 2.0 - A better law scenario
To support the release of the consultation RIS, we've
developed a complementary short-form document to outline one
potential scenario for the future HVN (29 June 2020). More...
NTC: Australian Code for the Transport of Dangerous
Goods by Road and Rail (Edition 7.7)
The Code can be used from 1 October 2020 and is compulsory from 1
October 2021. Until then, either the Code edition 7.6or the Code
edition 7.7can be used. The Code is an important technical resource
to help Australia's transport and logistics industry to operate
safely when carrying dangerous goods. See also
ADGC explanatory document: Key changes between edition 7.6 and
7.7 (29 June 2020).
More...
HVNL review consultation regulation impact
statement
Publication date 25 Jun 2020 Comments due 25 Oct
2020
The consultation regulation impact statement includes over 40
reform options to improve the HVNL.
More...
NHVR: Vehicle Safety and Environmental Technology Update
Plan (SETUP)
The Plan outlines five work packages to give
Australia's heavy vehicle industry certainty when installing
new safety technology. To view the Vehicle SETUP uptake plan go to
Vehicle Safety and
Environmental Technology Uptake Plan (30 June 2020).
IFCBAA Interim Joint Board of Directors Announced
The Boards of the Australian Federation of International
Forwarders and Customs Brokers and Forwarders Council of Australia
have reached agreement to form a single peak body and to change
their current business names to the International Forwarders and
Customs Brokers Association of Australia (IFCBAA)
Ltd, effective 1 July 2020. Should you have any enquires please do
not hesitate to contact CBFCA here.
SAL: Covid-19: Shipping requirements, restrictions,
rules and policies at Australian ports
On this page you will find Federal and State Restrictions
in regards to Covid-19. You will also find a link to policies from
international bodies such as the International Maritime
Organization (03 July 2020).
More...
SAL: ABF releases informative FAQ on borders, quarantine
and crew visas
The Australian Border
Force has issued an extensive set of
Frequently Asked Questions about general border restrictions,
quarantine periods, maritime crew visas, other visas, and personal
protective equipment. Remember to read the appropriate State /
Territory rules after you have read the Federal rules! You can
access the key rules on the website
(03 July 2020).
More...
AMSA Marine Notice 04/2020: Maximum period of shipboard
service for seafarers during COVID-19 pandemic
This marine notice provides information to vessel owners,
operators and seafarers about AMSA's approach to applying the
Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006) requirements for the
maximum continuous period that a seafarer can serve on board a
vessel without taking leave during the period of disruption that
has been caused by COVID-19.
More...
AMSA: 03/2020—Shutdown of AMSA's differential
global positioning system (DGPS) service
This marine notice informs vessel owners, operators and
masters of the shutdown of AMSA's radio beacon differential
global positioning system service from 1 July 2020.
More...
If you are currently operating under an exemption that
expires on the 30 June 2020, it has now been automatically extended
for 5 years, until 30 June 2025
This Domestic Commercial Vessel Safety Alert is to advise
vessel owners, operators, masters, coxswains and crews that the
AMSA has taken steps to extend the duration of all National Law
certificates of competency. AMSA has issued an exemption that
extends all National Law certificates of competency and all
associated endorsements, expiring between 26 March and 1 October
2020, for six months from the expiry date noted on the certificate.
More...
HVNL Review
The Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL)
Review consultation RIS was published. The RIS sets out a suite of
options for the future law and analyses the impacts they might
have. NatRoad with its members, needs to consider the reform
options and advise the NTC what the preferred reforms are. The RIS
is available
here (25 June 2020). More...
NTC Issues Paper - Examining the legal framework for the
land transport of dangerous goods
Have your say Publication date 04 June 2020 Comments due
03 July 2020.
More...
Senate: Consultations
Importance of a viable, safe, sustainable and efficient road
transport industry
Status: Submissions closed. Date Referred: 11 September 2019 Next
Hearing: 16 March 2020 Reporting Date: 14 October 2020
Legislation
Commonwealth
Act Compilation
Export
Control Act 2020
03/07/2020 - Act No. 12 of 2020 as amended
Regulations
Customs
(Prohibited Exports) Amendment (Phorate) Regulations
2020
10/07/2020 - This instrument amends the Customs
(Prohibited Exports) Regulations 1958 to add phorate to the list of
chemicals the exportation of which is prohibited unless permission
is granted under regulation 4A.
Customs
(Prohibited Imports) Amendment (Vaporiser Nicotine) Repeal
Regulations 2020
30/06/2020 - This instrument repeals the Customs
(Prohibited Imports) Amendment (Vaporiser Nicotine) Regulations
2020.
NSW
Regulations and other miscellaneous instruments
Biosecurity
Order (Permitted Activities) Amendment Order 2020 (2020-379)
— published LW 3 July 2020
Queensland
Transport Legislation (COVID-19 Emergency Response) Regulation (No 2) 2020 (Qld) This Regulation is made under the COVID-19 Emergency Response Act 2020, Rail Safety National Law (Queensland) Act 2017, Transport Infrastructure Act 1994, Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Act 1994. The policy objectives of the Regulation are to provide financial relief to commercial operators in state-managed boat harbours and provide a framework that will enable exemptions from requirements about certain marine authorities. The Regulation will also extend the expiry of a transitional regulation that preserves certain Queensland-specific definitions under national rail safety legislation.
This publication does not deal with every important topic or change in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you have found this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances please contact one of the named individuals listed.