ANL, Coscon and OOCL under A3 alliance to launch Asia-Oz loops

OOCL has unveiled the joint services it will operate in conjunction with partners ANL and Coscon under the newly formed Asia Australia Consortium (A3) that will focus on the trade between North East Asia and Australia.

The A3 will launch three dedicated services, namely the Northern Express, Central Express and Southern Express, connecting 10 major North East Asia ports with Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

Subject to regulatory approval, the A3 plans to launch the new services starting from September or October.

The port rotation for the weekly Northern Express is Yokohama, Osaka, Busan, Qingdao, Shanghai, Kaohsiung, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and back to Yokohama.

The Central Express is also a weekly service, with the following port rotation: Shanghai, Ningbo, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and back to Shanghai.

The port rotation for the weekly Southern Express is Kaohsiung, Xiamen, Shenzhen-Shekou, Hong Kong, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and back to Kaohsiung

Illegal Logging Laws: Extension to 'soft-start' compliance period

On 25 February 2016, the Australian Government released the final report of the KPMG led Independent review of the impact of the illegal logging regulations on small business.

The report proposed a package of regulatory and non-regulatory reforms to minimise the costs of complying with the Regulation.

In light of this process and the potential for further changes to the Regulation, the department has decided to extend the initial 'soft-start' compliance period until any amendments from the KPMG review have been finalised. This is expected to extend the soft-start period until late 2016 or early 2017.

​A further Compliance Advice Notice will be released to advise when the 'soft-start' compliance period will end.​

20Cube are available to discuss further and assist clients with ensuring they comply with the Regulations.

Changes to Import Requirements for Used Machinery, Used Equipment & Used Parts

The Department of Agriculture & Water Resources has issued an industry advice notice regarding the importation of used machinery, equipment and parts.

Importers, customs agents and brokers have been advised that from 16 June, 2016, an import permit will no longer be required, a change that coincides with the commencement of the Biosecurity Act 2015.

How does this affect you?

If you're an importer of used machinery, equipment and parts, then you will no longer need to obtain a permit. The aim of the new arrangment is to reduce costs and regulatory burden to importers.

BICON was updated on 16 June to reflect the change.

Your opportunity to contribute to revised import conditions

The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources has commenced a review into the management of biosecurity risks associated with imported used machinery and equipment, which may result in further changes to import conditions​ for these goods. 

A discussion paper is expected to be released in July/August 2016 outlining the proposed changes and affected stakeholders will be invited to provide comment.   

  

Further information

Any enquiries regarding this change, please contact your 20Cube team for more information.