Further to previous newsletters from Tomax, we want to advise again the new strict measures in place for the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug.

Australian Quarantine have finalised their directions for the upcoming season. Cargo departing from affected countries from 1st September 2018 through to 30th April 2019 inclusive, will be subjected to additional biosecurity measures.

• United States of America
• Italy
• Germany
• France
• Russia
• Greece
• Hungary
• Romania
• Georgia
• Japan (heightened vessel surveillance will be the only measure applied)

Any goods originating from these countries will be subject to the new strict guidelines below.

Target high risk goods

Goods in this category require mandatory treatment for BMSB risk.

All tariffs under the following chapters are categorised as target high risk goods.

Please contact your suppliers in these countries to advise them of these new measures. Whether CIF, CFR, EXW, or FOB cargo, these measures will affect you.

If you are unsure if your cargo falls into the above categories, please contact Shawn Solomons shawn@tomax.com.au or Stephen Edwards stephen@tomax.com.au urgently for clarification. Please note these measures take place from 1st September 2018.

Last month the YM Portland was sailing from North Asia to Australia when it encountered engine troubles near Milne Bay, at the far eastern tip of the Pacific nation. Engine parts were delivered by barge and engine technicians have commenced repairs on the vessel, which is anchored off Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea.

Yang Ming Australia managing director Steven Ka advised that repairs should be completed by 20 August and investigations continue to determine the reason for the breakdown.

The YM Portland is expected to call on Brisbane towards the end of August, however it is subject to repairs being completed on schedule and berth window availabilities.

Investigations began earlier last month after an air freight shipment of noodles and Asian spices were imported into Sydney from California, USA. The consignment was subject to examination by ABF officers, whom identified a white crystallised substance which tested positive for methamphetamine.

The methamphetamine will undergo further forensic testing to determine the exact weight, purity and potential street value, but it is estimated the total weight could be up to 300 kilograms, making the street value approximately $30million.

On 9 August 2018, members of the AFP and NSWPF undertook a controlled delivery of the consignment to identify the intended recipients of the methamphetamine. The consignment was delivered to an address in the Sydney suburb of Canley Vale resulting in the arrest of the 42 year old and 53 year old man. Both men were charged with importing and attempting to possess a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug.

ABF Investigations Commander Graeme Grosse said seizures like this show the ABF’s absolute commitment to keeping illicit substances from infiltrating Australian borders. “Through the ABF’s sophisticated detection capabilities and by working with our Home Affairs and state police colleagues we have stopped these drugs reaching the community and doing harm to vulnerable Australians,” Commander Grosse said.

Australia and overseas partner agencies continue futher investigations into the syndicate responsible for this importation.

Operation Amorgos is an Australian Federal Police (AFP) led investigation commencing in April 2017, targeting an organised crime syndicate believed to be responsible for the importation of 1.28 tonnes of cocaine into Sydney, concealed within pre-fabricated steel. Australian Border Force (ABF) officers intercepted and examined the container, revealing 2576 individual blocks of cocaine with an estimated street value up to $500 million. A 49-year-old man has been the second man extradited from Serbia to Sydney to face charges this month in relation to the multi million dollar drug importation investigation.

Earlier this year, the man from NSW was detained in Serbia by local authorities to face domestic charges relating to the unlawful possession of a firearm. He was released from criminal detention in July and extradited from Serbia to Australia under Australian Federal Police (AFP) escort.

The AFP alleges the man was involved in the importation of the cocaine through his Australian business, which was used to facilitate the import. He was charged with a range of offences, including the importation, attempted importation, attempted posession and conspiracy to import and possess a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug.

ABF Regional Commander for NSW, Danielle Yannopoulos, said this result is a testament to the cooperation and intelligence sharing between Australian law enforcement agencies and also the significant work we do with our international counterparts.

On Tuesday last week, heavy swells in the Indian Ocean caused the MSC Chloe to lose 13 containers overboard, just east-southeast of Durban.

According to the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA), the vessel was en route to Durban from Coega on 7 August at 2330 when it was hit by heavy swells causing it to roll severely.

“Reportedly the vessel was drifting and awaiting berthing instructions when a huge swell struck and caused the vessel to roll about +/- 30 degrees on either side, thereby leading to the containers falling off their stacked position,” the statement read.“A navigational warning is being broadcasted by the Maritime Rescue Coordinating Centre Cape Town and transiting vessels in and around the area are requested to keep a sharp lookout and to report to MRCC Cape Town and Durban Port Control of any sighting.”

The statement advised that of the 13 containers lost overboard 11 were 40-foot HC containers, 1 was a 40-foot open-top container and 1 was an ordinary 40-foot container.

SAMSA has opened an investigation into the incident.

On 16 August the MSC Chloe berthed at Durban, where it remains until further notice.

A child asked his father, "How were people born?" So his father said, "Adam and Eve made babies, then their babies became adults and made babies, and so on." The child then went to his mother, asked her the same question and she told him, "We were monkeys then we evolved to become like we are now." The child ran back to his father and said, "you lied to me!" His father replied, "No, your mum was talking about her side of the family."