In the media
Container losses in the rolling seas
Until recently, governments only got involved in container
losses if they created a hazard to navigation (such as by floating)
or if a hazardous cargo were involved. Otherwise, the loss was
treated as an insurance matter between the involved parties.
Lately, though, governments have shown great concern about
containers lost within their territorial seas (generally 12
nautical miles offshore) and potentially further, particularly if
the cargo is deemed hazardous (06 August 2020).
More...
Beirut blast highlights inadequate Australian shipping
regulations for transport of dangerous goods
Australia must urgently overhaul security and licensing
provisions for shipments of dangerous and high consequence goods,
including ammonium nitrate, in light of the catastrophic blast in
Beirut that killed at least 135 people and injured thousands more,
according to the Maritime Union of Australia (06 August 2020).
More...
Logistics protests as Melbourne lockdown puts the brakes
on supply chains
The extraordinary lockdown measures imposed on the
Australian state of Victoria are threatening to disrupt supply
chains. The Freight & Trade Alliance has been lobbying the
Victorian government, to clarify whether importers are permitted to
receive containerised cargo (06 August 2020).
More...
Data requirements for automated and electric vehicle
registration
To support the registration of automated and electric
vehicles (AVs and EVs) changes may be required to
jurisdictional registration systems. Specifically, additional data
may be required that is unique to AVs and Evs (06 August 2020).
More...
Supporting road managers in making safe, effective road
freight access decisions
Austroads has published a report reviewing heavy vehicle
road access guidelines and tools used by state and local government
road managers across Australia and New Zealand ( 05 August 2020).
More...
HVIA: Victorian stage 4 business and industry sector
restrictions
The Victorian Government issued a list outlining which
industry sectors and businesses would be forced to close for six
weeks under Stage 4 restrictions. Largely, the heavy vehicle
industry has been recognised as an essential service and will be
able to continue to operate, with a COVID safe plan in place (05
August 2020).
More...
Australia's export sector continues to boom despite
ongoing challenges
Australia recorded its largest financial year trade
surplus in 2019-20, off the back of booming goods exports,
according to the latest data released from the ABS. Federal Trade
Minister Simon Birmingham said despite the ongoing domestic and
international challenges, Australian exporters across a range of
sectors like resources, agriculture and advanced manufacturing
continue to withstand global economic shocks (05 August 2020).
More...
NHVR reports on national service rollout
National Heavy Vehicle Regulator Southern Regional
Director, Paul Simionato, has commented on the Regulator's
transition to national service (05 August 2020).
More...
Funding boost to drive heavy vehicle safety
Twenty-six projects aimed at saving lives and reducing
road trauma will share in $5.9 million under Round 5 of the
Australian Government's Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative. A full
list of successful projects is available here (06 August 2020)
More...
VIC transport manufacturing supply chain to remain
intact
Leading Victoria-based heavy vehicle manufacturers will be
able to provide vehicle service and repair capabilities as well as
manufacturing operations under the recently announced Covid-19
restrictions CRT has learned (04 August 2020).
More...
Freight border protocols need national focus to keep
economy moving
ARA Chief Executive Officer Caroline Wilkie said the
protocols published by the National Cabinet provided a clear and
coordinated approach to support the freight network. She said
different approaches by individual states and territories, as has
emerged since the protocols were established, could lead to rail
freight delays and unintended safety risks (31 July 2020).
More...
COVID-19 aviation caps must exempt seafarers –
Government review
Shipping Australia has filed a submission to government
officials in which we advocate for maritime crew to be excluded
from the caps on international passengers arriving into Australia
by air (31 July 2020).
More...
NHVR welcomes industry support for technology
blueprint
The NHVR has welcomed widespread industry support for a
blueprint to support manufacturers and operators to incorporate the
latest safety technology into new and existing heavy vehicles. The
Vehicle Safety and Environmental Technology Uptake Plan,
launched was crucial to give Australia's heavy vehicle industry
certainty when installing new safety technology (30 July 2020).
More...
Australia imposes 12-monthban on bulker for crew wages
and welfare
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority
(AMSA) imposed a 12-month ban on a bulk carrier
after discovering a broad range of crew welfare issues including
wage exploitation. This marked the second action by AMSA in a
matter of days and the sixteenth ship to be banned since 2014 (30
July 2020).
More...
Supply chains threatened by problematic new border
crossing criteria
New COVID-19 border crossing requirements have been
described as unworkable by the Victorian Transport Association amid
growing concerns changes imposed at both New South Wales and South
Australia will create major disruptions to supply chains (29 July
2020).
More...
Hunter region notice to slash permit numbers
A new network has been established to support the movement
of oversize over mass mining equipment across the Hunter Valley.
The NSW Class 1 Load Carrying Combination (Hunter Region) Mass and
Dimension Exemption Notice would reduce red tape and provide
certainty for the local mining and freight industry. Click
here for the Operator's Guide (28 July 2020).
More...
AMSA bans bulker due to underpaid crew
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority
(AMSA) banned the Liberian-flagged bulk carrier
Agia Sofia from entering Australian ports for six months due to the
underpayment of its seafarers (28 July 2020).
More...
Published – articles, papers, reports
Framework and tools for road freight access
decisions
AUSTROADS AP-R629-20: 4 August 2020
Austroads has commissioned this research report to review existing
heavy vehicle road access guidelines and tools used by
jurisdictional and local government road managers across Australia
and New Zealand.
More...
Practice and Regulation
NATROAD: Fitness to Drive medical assessment
updated
The Fitness to Drive medical assessment process has been
updated with medical practitioners now being able to submit the
medical assessment online. Transport for NSW has developed 12 new
online specialist forms and improved the online form for GPs. For
more information, visit the
Transport for NSW website (05 August 2020). More...
NATROAD: Updated advice for COVID Safe plans for
Victoria
From midnight on 7 August 2020, all Victorian employers
must have completed their COVID Safe plans. Plans must be for
Victoria – non-Victorian plans will not be accepted.
Interstate drivers will also be required to have a Victorian COVID
Safe plan and a work permit. Seethe COVID Safe Plan template and
guidance:
COVID Safe Plan guidance,
COVID Safe Plan template and
Work permit information (05 August 2020).
More...
NTC Reminder: 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.
More...
NATROAD: National heavy vehicle charging pilot (National
Pilot)
An innovative industry partnership testing potential
direct user charging options for heavy vehicles. Participants will
report road use data and receive mock invoices comparing their
current heavy vehicle registration and fuel charges against
alternative charging scenarios. The research will be concluded by
2021 (24 July 2020).
More...
NHVR: COVID-19
For up to date information on border restrictions specific
to the transport of freight and logistics, visit here.
For the QTA's COVID-19 Safety Guidelines visit here (22 July
2020).
NHVR: Road tips for travelling caravaners
These are the latest video tips and advice that every
caravan or RV driver should watch before hitting the road this
winter.To view the Share the Road videos visit here.
Caravaners and
truckies sharing the road video
Caravaners and
truckies sharing facilities video
To view the latest Whiteline Television fatigue videos visit here (15 July
2020).
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...
Domestic Border control freight movement protocol
The protocol agrees "unanticipated delays at the
border can have implications for safety on the roads and the health
of critical transport workers" and states "greater
consistency in border management of supply chains will assist
industry to comply". The protocol complements existing Work
Health and Safety and fatigue management requirements, public
health advice and COVIDSafe work plan requirements. The protocol is
available here (24 July 2020).
AMSA Marine notice 07-2020 Closure of the Inmarsat Fleet
77 service
04 August 2020 - This marine notice informs vessel owners,
operators and masters of the closure of the Inmarsat Global Limited
(Inmarsat) Fleet 77 on 1 December 2020. Inmarsat
Fleet 77 is not a mandatory carriage requirement under the
International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea 1974 . More...
AMSA campaign targeting container ships
AMSA encourages ship owners and masters to familiarise
themselves with the approved cargo securing manual for their vessel
and
Marine order 42 which gives effect to Chapter VI of SOLAS in
Australia. This focussed inspection campaign is aimed at education,
improving standards, and reducing the number of incidents that
result in cargo being lost at sea. More information can be found on
AMSA's website.
AMSA Marine notice 05/2020
– Focused inspection campaign
– proper stowage and securing of cargo containers
Port State control – This marine notice provides
information to ship owners, operators and masters about the
Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA)
focused inspection campaign on cargo securing arrangements that
will run from 1 August to 31 October 2020. More...
AMSA Extension National Law certificates of
competency
We have extended existing exemptions to provide seafarers
and operators with continuity and certainty.
All National Law exemptions have been extended until 30 June 2025.
More...
AMSA: Domestic Commercial Vessel Safety Alert
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 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.
More...
AWA Industry Advice Notices 2020
28 July 2020-03
COVID-19 - Notifying the department of positive COVID-19 cases at
export registered establishments
AWA Export Industry Advice Notices
2020
06 August 2020-50
Grain and Seeds Exports Program – Update to inspection of hay
and straw instructional material
AWA Import industry advice notices 2020
4 August 125-2020
Strengthening biosecurity risk management associated with onshore
processing of imported plant and animal materials at an approved
arrangement class 3.0
31 July 123-2020
Automatic entry processing for commodities (AEPCOMM) expansion for
2020 is now live
28 July 122-2020
Maritime Arrivals Reporting System (MARS) Pre-Arrival Reporting
Changes for Coronavirus (COVID-19)
28 July 121-2020
Amendment to 105-2020 - COVID-19 impact on Cat and Dog arrivals
into Melbourne International Airport
AWA: AWE – 2020-21 BMSB Season Measures – 3
Countries Added, Season End Timing and Intervention Clarified
AFIF as a member of the DCCC-BMSB has been advised of the
forthcoming 2020-21 BMSB Season changes to be effective from 1
September 2020. For the 2020-21 BMSB risk season, measures will
apply to: Certain goods manufactured in, or shipped from target
risk countries, and/or vessels that berth at, load or tranship from
target risk countries from 1 September 2020 and that arrive in
Australian territory by 31 May 2021 (inclusive): Goods must be
treated if exported between 1 September 2020 & 30 April 2021
inclusive; Goods arriving from 1 June 2021 will not be subject to
BMSB measures.
More...
Senate: Consultations
Importance of a viable, safe, sustainable and efficient road
transport industry
Status: Submissions closed. Reporting Date: 14 October 2020
Legislation
Commonwealth
Act Compilation
Customs
Act 1901
31/07/2020 - Act No. 6 of 1901 as amended
Regulations
Health
Insurance (Section 3C Pathology Services – COVID-19)
Amendment (No. 5) Determination 2020
03/08/2020 - This instrument amends the Health Insurance
(Section 3C Pathology Services – COVID-19) Determination 2020
to expand the SARS-COV-2 testing item introduced on 28 July 2020 to
apply to a person who drives a heavy vehicle interstate.
List
of Specimens Taken to be Suitable for Live Import Amendment
(domestic ferret) Instrument 2020
03/08/2020 - This instrument amends Part 2 of the List of
Specimens Taken to be Suitable for Live Import (29/11/2001),
established under section 303EB of the Environment Protection and
Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, by adding Mustela putorius furo
(domestic ferret) to the Live Import List with the conditions
'Research Only. High Security Facilities only'.
Biosecurity
(Human Biosecurity Emergency) (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic
Potential) (Emergency Requirements—Retail Outlets at
International Airports) Amendment (No. 1) Determination
2020
30/07/2020 – No longer in force
Gazetted
Declaration
under subsection 132B(1) of the Customs Act
1901
03/08/2020 - under subsections 132B(1) and 132B(2) of the
Customs Act 1901:
(a) declare that the period beginning on 3 August 2020 and ending
on 31 August 2020 is a declared period with respect to the tobacco
products classified under subheadings 2401.10.00, 2401.20.00,
2401.30.00, 2402.10.20, 2402.10.80, 2402.20.20, 2402.20.80,
2403.11.00, 2403.19.10, 2403.19.90, 2403.91.00 and 2403.99.80 in
Schedule 3 to the Customs Tariff Act 1995; and (b) specify that the
period beginning on 1 September 2019 and ending on 1 July 2020 is
the base period in relation to the declared period in paragraph
(a
Notice
of Intention to Propose Customs Tariff Alterations - Notice (No. 2)
2020
3107/2020 – Schedule –
Alteration to the Customs Tariff Act 1995 Schedule
4 (after table item 57)
57A Goods, as prescribed by by-law, if (a) the goods are medical
products or hygiene products; and (b) the goods are capable of use
in combating the novel coronavirus that causes the disease known as
COVID-19; and
(c) the time for working out the rate of duty on the goods is in
the period beginning on 1 August 2020 and ending at the end of 31
December 2020.
Port
Notice of Revocation and Appointment (No. 20/25) – Port of
Fremantle
30/07/2020 – APPOINT the Port of Fremantle in the
State of Western Australia as a port; and c) FIX as the limits of
that port the area within the red boundary line as indicated, and
specified in the legend, in Attachment A to this notice. For
detail, see Attachment B. The port appointed in paragraph (b) is to
be a port only for purposes in relation to ships that are not
international passenger cruise ships
Heavy
Vehicle National Law - National Class 2 Road Train Authorisation
Notice 2020 (No.2)
30/07/2020 - The purpose of this Notice is to authorise
access for Class 2 road trains that meet the requirements of this
Notice. This Notice provides access for specified Class 2 road
trains under the heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL). Not all road
trains under the HVNL are granted access under this Notice. For
example, a road train that exceeds regulation mass and dimension
limits (and is therefore Class 3) does not have access under this
notice.
Heavy
Vehicle National Law - National COVID-19 Emergency (Holiday Travel
Condition) Derestriction Notice 2020
(No.5)
30/07/2020 - The purpose of this Notice is to remove
certain travel condition restrictions on heavy vehicle travel times
during the COVID-19 human biosecurity emergency (COVID-19
Emergency). This Notice is made under section 23 of Schedule 1, of
the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) as in force in each
participating jurisdiction. This Notice commences on 1 August 2020.
This Notice expires on 31 August 2020.
Heavy
Vehicle National Law - New South Wales Class 1 Load Carrying
Combination (Hunter Region) Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice
2020 (No.1)
27/07/2020 - The purpose of this Notice is to exempt Class
1 heavy vehicle combinations consisting of a prime mover and
approved trailers, including dollies if required, from certain mass
and dimension requirements under the Heavy Vehicle National Law
(HVNL). In addition, this Notice exempts certain specialist
vehicles such as block trucks that are used to assist the operation
of Class 1 combinations.
Queensland
Heavy Vehicle National Law and Other Legislation Amendment
(Postponement) Regulation 2020 (Qld)
Explanatory Memorandum
This Regulation is made under the Heavy Vehicle National Law
and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2019. This Regulation
postpones the automatic commencement of sections 10 and 11 of the
Heavy Vehicle National Law and Other Legislation Amendment Act
2019. The postponed law is extended to the end of 26 September
2021
Note: This regulation expires on 31 December 2020
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.