| Melbourne Container Congestion Container congestion in Melbourne has reached critical levels due to the strong import volumes well exceeding the numbers of containers being loaded out, leading to a negative discharge/load ratio. Please refer to the below notice issued by Container Transport Alliance Australia, which provides further information on the situation. 1211-CTAA-Notice-to-Industry-Melbourne-Container-Logistics-Congestion-Critical.pdf (ctaction.com.au) ICAL is monitoring the situation closely and will continue to notify shipping lines of earliest availability to arrange the dehire of containers and seek out empty containers parks in order to avoid additional costs and minimise the impact on our clients. If you would like to discuss the situation in further detail, please get in contact with your ICAL representative. |
| Victoria Global Gateway Program The Victorian Government recently announced a new program to support Victorian exporters; including cash support of up to $50,000. The Global Gateway program will support established Victorian exporters to help them stabilise their business and adapt their export strategies in response to the challenges created by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The Global Gateway program is a key part of the Victorian Government’s $15.7 million Export Recovery Package. Eligible Victorian businesses can access a one-off grant of up to $50,000 to identify and engage professional service providers to deliver project activities to support their export recovery. These activities may include marketing and promotion, market access and marketing intelligence. Businesses must make a minimum co-contribution of 20 per cent of the project. Grant applications are now open and will close at 11.59pm on Sunday 17 January 2021. To be eligible a business must:Be a legally structured business with significant operations in VictoriaHave an Australian Business Number (ABN)Demonstrate an annual export revenue of at least $2 million in either the 2018/19 or 2019/20 financial yearsMeet all industrial relations obligations as an employer in accordance with the National Employment Standards If you like to find out more about the Program, get in touch with the Ai Group, who can help you with your export recovery activities, please send your contact details to big@aigroup.com.au and they will be in contact with you to discuss this further. |