Japanese owned K-Line has recently announced it's new ro-ro ship, the Niagara Highway which will be making its maiden voyage to Australia.

The vessel has already berthed at Townsville where it received a warm welcome before making its way to Brisbane where it is expected to arrive later this week. From Brisbane it will sail to Port Kembla, Melbourne and Adelaide before making it's journey back to Japan.

On board is a cargo of cars and heavy machinery.

According to K-Line, the Niagara Highway has a beam of 37.2m and an overall length of 200m and is the company's new generation large size pure car carrier vessel to operate on the Japan-Australia trade.

Qantas Freight operated by Atlas Air are replacing their two current Boeing 747-400F's with next generation Boeing 747-8F freighters.

Qantas Freight says the new Boeing 747-8F freighters are regarded as one of the most efficient in their class in service, offering up to 20% more freight capacity with space for seven extra pallets.

CEO of Qantas domestic and freight, Andrew David said the new aircraft would allow Qantas' freight business to better meet customer demand for capacity around the world.

"We are seeing strong growth in demand driven e-commerce, fresh produce, electronics and mining equipment across our international freight network," he said. "The newer more efficient Boeing 747-8F will allow us to provide a better service for our customers with additional freight capacity and even greater reliability for time-sensitive shipments," said Andrew David.

The new freighters are expected to take over from late July, with Qantas Freight's existing network between 10 key cargo hubs in Australia, China and the United States, which has been in operation for the past 15 years.

"Our investment in wet-leasing these aircraft gives us a a more competitive offering in the Australia-China-US freight markets and more operational efficiency," Mr David said.

Qantas Freight operates a fleet of 14 freighter aircrafts as well as managing the freight capacity on Qantas and Jetstar passenger services across domestic and international routes.

Last week MSC Australia celebrated 30 years of operations in Australia in style along the Sydney Harbour.

Company executives and staff were joined by customers and other industry figures to compare MSC's activities dating back to 1989 when the company only had six staff and offered a fortnightly container service to South Africa. These days MSC Australia provides customers with direct connections to all major overseas markets, has expanded to more than 300 employees and vessel calls in seven major ports around Australia, operating seven weekly liner services.

“I congratulate the entire team of more than 300 staff on their achievements, and I know that their loyalty and excellent attention to their tasks has made all the difference,” Captain Michele Bordiga chairman of MSC Australia said. “I am also very mindful of the contribution of our clients, who we thank for their custom and we assure them of our utmost respect and care at all times,” he said.

Captain Bordiga addressed those on board the celebratory cruise and the event also featured a tug boat salute and spectacular firework display in front of the Sydney Opera House.

“While this is a poignant time for the company, offering us the chance to look back at all that has been achieved over the last three decades, it remains vitally important that we continue to focus firmly on the future and maintain MSC’s continuous evolution,” managing director of MSC Australia and New Zealand Kevin Clarke, said.

He said growth will continue across all operations in Australia, particularly with regards to MSC Cargo, MSC Cruises and MEDLOG activities.

Founded in 1970 and headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, since 1978, MSC is a privately-owned organisation driven by the Aponte family.

The large shallow sea surrounded on three sides by northern Australia is the Gulf of Carpentaria, where many mud crabs reside. They will soon be making their way to the lazy susans of dining tables across China.

With Growing Queensland's Food Exports $1.3 million pilot program, it aims to help producers break into lucrative overseas markets and supply chains. Producers are able to build their business capabilities and take advantage of opportunities to grow exports. The program has already assisted macadamia, mango, melon, strawberry, sweet corn and pork producers.

Being able to tap into the Asian market is a game changer for seafood producers because with increased demand comes increased supply. Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Mark Furner said Australian Gulf Seafoods (AGS) was one of the nine diverse food companies to receive second round funding of up to $100,000 the Growing Queensland's Food Exports program.

"Australian Gulf Seafoods supplies some of the world's most ecologically-friendly and sustainable seafood," he said. "Word has clearly spread, because catch from the mangrove-lined waters of the Gulf of Carpentaria will soon be exported to China. We want to support the growth of AGS and this grant will do just that."

Three people have been arrested after Australian Border Force (ABF) investigators uncovered a highly organised criminal syndicate operation, which also included seizures of 2.9 tonnes of loose leaf tobacco, more than 300,000 cigarettes and $97,000 in cash.

On 28 February 2019, a Sydney Container Examination Facility inspected a container from China, containing goods described as polyester fabric but within the container was 1560kg of loose leaf tobacco. On 20 March 2019 another consignment arrived from China, also described as polyester fabric and contained a further 1320kg of loose leaf tobacco.

The total duty evaded on these two consignments is estimated to be $3.3 million.

On 25 and 26 March 2019, investigators excuted warrants at four locations across Sydney - two storage facilities in Kingsgrove and Auburn, a shop in Auburn and a residential home in Westmead. Over 300,000 cigarettes were found and $97,000 in cash. Two Australian men and a Chinese national were arrested and charged with importation and posession of tobacco with intention of defrauding the revenue.

ABF Regional Investigations NSW A/g Superintendent John Fleming said "this has been the culmination of a 10-month long investigation which has resulted in the arrests of eight people and the detection of five million cigarettes and five tonnes of loose leaf tobacco."

The maximum penalty for tobacco smuggling is 10 years' imprisonment and/or a fine of up to give times the amount of duty evaded.

A joint investigation by Australian Border Force (ABF)and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) has led to a seizure of methylamphetamine worth more than $400 million.

On 30 March 2019, ABF officiers examined a container at Sydney Container Examination Facility. It was declared to contain electronic ovens but was found to contain 11 commercial refrigerators, which x-rays revealed inconsistencies within their construction. Subsequently the refrigerators were unpacked and seven were found to contain a total of 561 packages of a white crystalline substance, with testing returning a positive reading for methylamphetamine, also known as ice.

Forensic analysis determined that the packages contained 585kg of ice, which has an estimated street value of $438 million.

The drugs were seized by authorities and last week and two search warrants were executed at a commercial premises at Wetherhill Park and at a residential home in Edensor Park. During the searches, officers seized documents relating to the investigation and electronic storage devices. Joint investgations by relevant authorities are ongoing.

There will be several vessels which are available for wharf collection during and only during the Easter long weekend. As a result, carriers will need to work on the weekend to collect those subject containers and surcharges will apply. Please be aware that there are no alternatives but to collect available containers to avoid storage, and drivers are paid additional to work on public holidays and weekends as per legislation. If you have any queries please contact our team vie email to transport@tomax.com.au

We can't guarantee that these jokes are funny but we hope they'll ease you into the weekend!

I have a dieter inside me.
Inside me lives a skinny woman crying to get out.

If you’re American when you go in the bathroom…… and American when you come out, what are you in the bathroom?
European

I sold my vacuum the other day.
All it was doing was collecting dust.

Did you hear about the guy who invented the knock knock joke?
He won the "no-bell" prize.

Two windmills are standing in a wind farm.
One asks, “What’s your favorite type of music?” The other says, “I’m a big metal fan.”

Why does Snoop Dogg use an umbrella?
For drizzle.