• The container is only available for collection once it is physically empty.
• Predicted empty confirmation dates will not be accepted by Transport.
• 48 Hours – 2 business days (weekends and public holidays not included) is required by transport to schedule vehicles for collection and secure slot bookings at dehire depots.
• The 48 hours is calculated from the date and time the empty confirmation email is received.
• Emails confirming empty containers after 4pm; the 48 hour collection window will be calculated from the next business day.
• Containers not empty when transport arrives to collect may be subject to extra charges.

If clients and agents alike are able to educate suppliers to check empty containers prior to loading (and provide evidence/inform agents of issues), it eliminates damage claims from the shipping line to clients when returning the empty on this end.

According to a departmental notice, the change affects importers and customs brokers of imported cargo, transport companies, approved arrangement sites and treatment providers who deal with imported goods.

The name change is actually the result of a dividing up of the various departments. Senator Bridget McKenzie is the Minister for Agriculture in the Morrison government, while David Littleproud has taken on the Water Resources portfolio.

The Agriculture portfolio is a significant player in shipping, given its role with quarantine and Australia’s large grain export task.

From 1 July, tobacco importers must pay all duty and tax liabilities when it arrives at the border.

This is a change from the current system, where importers can import tobacco and store it in licensed warehouses before paying tax. For tobacco products held in licensed warehouses at the start of the measure on 1 July 2019, transitional arrangements are to apply. Eligible affected entities are to be able to pay the liability on the warehoused stock within 12 months.

“Although there is currently no licensed commercial tobacco production in Australia, the taxing point for any future domestic manufacture of tobacco will also be changed to be consistent with the new taxing point for tobacco imports,” the ABF statement read. More information is available from the ATO.

The government says it has adopted this policy in order to ensure public health standards.

“Australian Border Force activities have detected poisons such as formaldehyde, and found rat faeces inside illicit tobacco—posing a health and biosecurity risk to Australia,” the ABF stated.

A few weeks ago marine tankers, the Marshall Islands-flagged Front Altair and the Panamanian-flagged Kokuka Courageous had to be abandoned after apparent attacks on the ships while transiting the Gulf of Oman. The US blamed Iran for the incidents, but Iran has issued a full denial.

ITF Seafarers’ section chair David Heindel said it was fortunate only one crew member was injured and there were no serious casualties.

“We also urge the naval forces to extend their protection to all ships transiting the area and call for a political solution to ensure seafarers and ships’ safe passage,” Mr Heindel said.

“We commend all involved in the prompt intervention and rescue of the 44 seafarers, but we have grave concerns over the safety of the ships transiting in this area.”

Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Group (an entity representing employers and unions) chairman Captain Koichi Akamine said he was relieved there had been no loss of life.

“We are quite concerned about these incidents and we’re following the situation closely, however, it would be unwise to come to any premature conclusions before receiving more information on these incidents from reliable sources,” Mr Akamine said.

“In the meantime, we would advise all vessels transiting the Straits of Hormuz and operating there to follow safe transiting procedures, increase vigilance, implement security measures ISPS Level 2 equivalent, report all incidents and take extra care of the crew and cargo.”