Wednesday, 31 May, 2006

Dear {Firstname},

AFIF MEMBERS SUMMARY BULLETIN

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AFIF Conference 2006 - Summary Report

The largest ever AFIF National Conference was held at the Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast between 17 and 19 May. Over 240 delegates attended the three day event and the feed back from attendees, exhibitors and sponsors all agreed that this was the best AFIF conference yet!

The keynote address was delivered by Senator Chris Ellison, the Minister for Justice and Customs and amongst other things he gave an overview of the Government's reasons for going live with Import CMR on October 12. He also applauded the work of the Industry Action Group (IAG) and the work of AFIF delegates on that committee, which he created to deal with the critical issues that needed to be addressed in relation to the new ICS system. He fielded a number of questions including those relating to speed of progress in fixing some of the problems. On day two, the delegates heard the opposition Shadow Minister, Senator Joe Ludwig who also thanked AFIF for its activity in keeping the opposition informed without fear or favour. He raised a number of issues with the Government as to how the Imports ICS implementation had been handled. A copy of his presentation will be available to members on request (details to follow).

The airfreight forum was conducted with high profile panelists including Ram Menen from Emirates; Steven Cleary of Qantas; Tan Chong Beng from Singapore Airlines and Robert Ryan from IATA, who gave the members a global view of the current status of the airline aircargo market and the immediate future.

Security and technology was high on the agenda with the new DOTARS Transport Security Programs (TSP's) and Customs expanded role in security. A presentation on world first robotic technology in place at Patrick Stevedore terminal in Brisbane was fascinating.

The seafreight forum dealt with contentious issues such as the container weight declaration, container detention charges and liabilities surrounding the "chain of responsibility". In regard to Container detention charges, advice on new IT solutions being trailed could help alleviate some of the associated issues in the near future.

AFIF will be following up on the number of outcomes resulting from the conference, all of which should benefit our members in the near future.

The annual AFIF Conference Golf Challenge attracted 110 participants, including 12 corporate teams and this year the winners of the AFIF trophy for the lowest nett score was the AFIF team of Kym Frearson, Iain Flockhart, Paul Golland and Brian Lovell. They prevented the previous two time winners, AMI, from claiming the trophy for a third successive year! Sorry Peter!

The conference also attracted its largest ever gathering of exhibitors with 22 booths and over 40 corporate sponsors.

The vital networking and social functions that surrounded the conference were highly successful with the highlight being the fabulous entertainment of Rhonda Burchmore, backed by the superb Brisbane All Stars Band. We thank our conference organising committee and Lyndell Wills and her team at 'Willorganise' for their professional coordination of all duties as PCO for AFIF and to all who were involved in any way in producing a first class conference for our industry.

The challenge for the 2007 conference organising committee will be how to exceed the great efforts of the 2006 group.

meanwhile back at the desk....and now to give you a summary of all the other activities that have been running concurrently...

CUSTOMS

AFIF and CBFCA meet again with CEO of Customs

On Tuesday May 23rd, the Chairmen and CEO's of both AFIF CBFCA met with Michael Carmody, CEO of Customs to address a number of vital issues which both bodies felt needed to be brought to a high level attention within Customs.

Firstly, we were concerned that the IAG process appeared to have slowed and that perhaps not enough ACS resources were being deployed to tackle some of the outstanding major issues. Whilst ocean bill of lading de-linking of the Cascade Reporting process was well under way with phase one having been introduced, phase two is of more interest to forwarders and brokers (allowing any report to be provided to Customs regardless of whether the shipping line or airline had already reported the impending arrival).

We were also extremely concerned that despite the platitudes that Customs had publicly announced, regarding leniency following the end of the penalty moratorium, our position was that the ICS sea / air system was not sufficiently capable of permitting full compliance reporting and that figures which Customs might rely on to identify compliance would be distorted. The CEO assured us that the senior officers responsible for identifying serious non-compliance and for issuing penalties had been fully briefed on the requirements of the CEO of Customs, that every endeavor be made to examine and thoroughly investigate the detailed reasons for non-compliance. The offenders would also be given ample opportunity to correct and reassure Customs of their willingness to comply and only as a last resort would a penalty be issued. 

It was generally agreed that, at this point, we could do no more than take the CEO of Customs word and remind our members to keep us informed if they felt that these policies were in line with actual industry evidence. We shall keep a close eye on this one. There were a number of other matters discussed of less immediate importance, however, the CEO was keen to ensure industry that he had come to the Customs department to ensure efficiency, not only within his own operation but also to ensure that business productivity would not be unduly affected by necessary Customs activity. Again, we made the point regarding our concerns and would await the evidence.

IAG Meeting No. 9

The IAG meetings continue and the minutes of the most recent meeting have been posted to the AFIF website. There are many outstanding issues, some of which may not be obvious to everyone but most importantly the group is trying to remove the so called 'workarounds' and contingencies that do not constitute a fully integrated cargo system. We are also concerned that industry is becoming comfortable with the process without fully realising that the system is not operating as it was designed. We will continue to endeavour to ensure that Government and Customs provide you with a system that delivers the promises for which 'Cargo Management Re-engineering' was designed.

Please click here to view IAG meeting minutes No. 9

Customs Compensation:- Consequential Losses

AFIF and CBFCA have engaged a legal advisor to work to design an acceptable form for our members to claim for consequential losses as a result of the implementation of the Import ICS on October 12. The matter, as you would understand, is complex due to the need to verify any claim against actual facts. We shall be announcing this information in the very near future.

Short-Haul Flights and Cargo Reporting

The issue relating to timely reporting of air cargo carried on short-haul international flights has not been resolved to the satisfaction of industry. The air cargo sub-committee of the IAG is working with Customs in order to reach a compromise. We shall report to you in due course.

AIR CARGO

Air Cargo Security

As you would be aware, Government legislation requires all Regulated Air Cargo Agents (RACA's) who have been transitioned across to the new regime will be required to submit their new transport security programs (TSP's) for approval prior to March 2007 when the legislation takes effect. AFIF have assisted DOTARS in developing a document enabling forwarders to identify their operation within a series of wide ranging options and parameters. Completion of this document and the associated risk analysis exercise should assist members in finalising their program fairly quickly. If you have not yet received these documents, or requested them from DOTARS please follow this up. AFIF will be ready to assist in helping you complete these programs.

Additional Funding for Air Cargo Security

In the latest budget, Customs received a significant sum of money to upgrade air cargo security at the border and this will be spent primarily on explosive trace detection equipment (ETD - ION scan machines). In addition, Customs will increase the deployment of dog detector teams in search for explosives and other prohibited items.

FAPAA Annual Executive Council Meeting

The 33rd Federation of Asia-Pacific Aircargo Associations (FAPAA) annual Executive Council Meeting will be held in Genting, Malaysia between June 8 & 11. AFIF currently holds the Chair of this group through Peter McNamara and Brian Lovell is the Secretary General of this Association. Key topics for this meeting will be the status of the new IATA E-Freight project, together with vital discussions on the impact of rising costs within our industry. In addition there will be a forum with IATA to discuss the growing implementation of independent IATA Cargo Agency Agreements within the region (such as we now have in Australia) and CASS developments. Other topics will include the increasing security requirements.

SEAFREIGHT

Container Detention / Demurrage Charges

At the AFIF 2006 conference, Shipping Australia spoke about two electronic initiatives which may alleviate some of the problems surrounding the container detention and demurrage issues. These programs are designed to ensure greater awareness of container movements and alert the responsible party of impending charges. In addition this may resolve some of the late invoicing problems. We will be watching developments closely.

GENERAL ISSUES

FIATA World Congress 2006

The annual FIATA World Congress will this year be held in Shanghai between September 17-21 and AFIF has a supply of brochures and registration documents. Please contact the AFIF Secretariat should you require one.

Agency Cooperation

We are holding details of overseas agents wishing to set-up cooperative arrangements. If you are looking just send an email to afif@afif.asn.au, with details of the country of interest. We may be able to assist !!

ACCOMMODATION AND TRAVEL

General

Please click here to go to the relevant information at our Website: http://www.afif.asn.au/news_travelhotels.asp

Accommodation Special

Mercure Hotel Sydney Airport Special Offer to AFIF Members

Exclusive AFIF rates valid until 30 September 2006 from $135.00 per room per night ... please quote AFIF when making reservations H5603-RE1@accor.com or phone 02 9518 2000.

An International Hotel offering travellers the perfect combination of location, comfort and style. The hotel is ideally located opposite Sydney's International and Domestic Airports and only 15 minutes from Sydney City. Boasting 268 refurbished guest rooms and suites in a resort style atmosphere including gymnasium, pool, tennis and squash courts. Only minutes away are restaurants, an exclusive golf course, shopping complex and Botany Bay.

There are 11 adaptable meeting rooms with refurbished state-of-the-art ballroom accommodating up to 400 delegates.

Click on the link to download their Food and Beverage Discount vouchers http://www.mercuresydneyairport.com.au/MHSA-Vouchers.pdf

When next staying at the Mercure Hotel Sydney Airport why not receive a discount voucher off your total bill - click on link

http://www.mercuresydneyairport.com.au/mercure_subcribe.html

:: EVENTS

AFIF Charity Golf Day 2006

Following the highly successful Tsunami appeal AFIF charity golf day 2005, we are repeating this event on July 24th 2006 at the world class Macquarie Links Golf Course in south west Sydney. More details will follow soon, however the event will be followed by a buffet dinner and a charity auction. The beneficiary will this year be Father Chris Reilly 'Kids Off the Streets' campaign. Notices detailing team bookings and sponsorship opportunities will be released very soon.

Check out the AFIF Website for all the very latest Industry Info!

Just a reminder that our website is updated daily, with new items added to our front page and archived in relevant News Folders. So please check for the latest info regularly!

:: AFIF TRAINING

AFIF Monthly
2006 Training Bulletin

JUNE

Book early to avoid disappointment!

International Air Cargo Security		JUN	JUL	AUG	SEP	OCT	NOV	DEC
	SYDNEY	5 26	17	7	25	9 30	20	4
	MELBOURNE	6 19	11 24	14 29	19	9 25	21
	BRISBANE	3				17
	ADELAIDE			8	14
	HOBART		4
International Air Cargo Security Awareness		JUN	JUL	AUG	SEP	OCT	NOV	DEC
	SYDNEY	19			14
	MELBOURNE	15				26
	BRISBANE		5					20
	ADELAIDE			10
Dangerous Goods Acceptance (Air)		JUN	JUL	AUG	SEP	OCT	NOV	DEC
	SYDNEY	6-8	10-12	22-24	11-13	23-25	14-16	5-7
	MELBOURNE	20-22		15-17		10-12		12-14
	BRISBANE	6-8		22-24	25-27		27-29
	ADELAIDE				11-13		14-16
	CANBERRA
	HOBART
	CAIRNS
Dangerous Goods Re-Certification		JUN	JUL	AUG	SEP	OCT	NOV	DEC
	SYDNEY	19 27	13 24	8 16	4 26	10 31	13	11
	MELBOURNE		10	28	18	23	20	11
	BRISBANE	5		21		16		19
	ADELAIDE			7			13
	HOBART
Dangerous Goods Awareness		JUN	JUL	AUG	SEP	OCT	NOV	DEC
	SYDNEY			17
	MELBOURNE				21
	BRISBANE				28
	ADELAIDE
International Export Airfreight Procedures		JUN	JUL	AUG	SEP	OCT	NOV	DEC
	SYDNEY				18-21
	MELBOURNE			7-10
	BRISBANE	19-22
	ADELAIDE					16-19
Basic Import Airfreight Procedures		JUN	JUL	AUG	SEP	OCT	NOV	DEC
	SYDNEY		25-26
	MELBOURNE
	BRISBANE
	ADELAIDE	14-15
Load Distribution & Restraint		JUN	JUL	AUG	SEP	OCT	NOV	DEC
	SYDNEY		18			11
	MELBOURNE				20
	BRISBANE
	ADELAIDE
Claims Procedures		JUN	JUL	AUG	SEP	OCT	NOV	DEC
	SYDNEY					4
	MELBOURNE
	BRISBANE				20
	ADELAIDE		5
Basic Import Sea Freight Procedures		JUN	JUL	AUG	SEP	OCT	NOV	DEC
	SYDNEY				5-6
	MELBOURNE			21-22
	BRISBANE	26-27
	ADELAIDE					23-24
Basic Export Sea Freight Procedures		JUN	JUL	AUG	SEP	OCT	NOV	DEC
	SYDNEY				7
	MELBOURNE			23
	BRISBANE	28
	ADELAIDE					25
Sea Container Pack/Unpack		JUN	JUL	AUG	SEP	OCT	NOV	DEC
	SYDNEY				27
	MELBOURNE	14			21
	BRISBANE
Dangerous Goods By Sea		JUN	JUL	AUG	SEP	OCT	NOV	DEC
	SYDNEY					5
	MELBOURNE	7				24
	BRISBANE		4				30
	ADELAIDE			9

For immediate confirmation, book all your AFIF training on-line via our website at http://www.afif.asn.au/

For any enquiries please do not hesitate to contact Simone Platt the Training Administrator at training@afif.asn.au

AFIF reserves the right to cancel courses and/or alter course dates in order to suit demand. Those who would be affected by cancellation or course date changes will be entitled to a full refund or a position on the next available course.