SPECIAL REPORT

Nothing out of the box from China trade in 09

CONTAINER lines in the China trade remain extremely cautious about the rest of 2009, especially given persistent rumours that an almost complete newcomer may appear within the next few months.

Wei hails Cosco alliance with aluminium giant Chalco

CHINA’s largest shipping company, China Ocean Shipping (Group), has formed a strategic alliance with the Aluminium Corp of China (Chalco), the country’s largest aluminium producer, to handle freight for the company.

Indian hope in container data

IS INDIA the new China? Could the world’s largest democracy, which now has a population on a par with China, be the engine of the global recovery?

Shekou pulls plug on RTGs

SHEKOU Container Terminal in southern China is set to further upgrade its rubber-tyred gantry cranes with an automated electric coupling system that should improve operating efficiency.

Batista woos Wisco to invest Rio steel plant

CHINESE steel manufacturer Wuhan Iron and Steel Co (Wisco) has signed a landmark agreement with Brazil’s richest man, Eike Batista, that will see billions of dollars of Chinese investment fuel further growth in his rapidly expanding mining and ports empire.

Sea change for Customs, practice?

Huge changes in the structure of customs operations in Australia are underway but it remains to be seen how much this will improve the lot of customs brokers and freight forwarders, writes ROB McKAY

Plastic fantastic and just for forwarders

AUSTRALIAN trade, credit and facilitation platform provider Octet has had its eyes set firmly on freight forwarders as it seeks greater acceptance.

GST reforms remain subject to refinement

ANY SECTOR looking at what it takes to shift bureaucratic and political inertia could learn a great deal from the Customs Brokers and Forwarders Council of Australia’s (CBFCA) battle to change the way goods and services tax (GST) is applied.

Security scheme awaits its time

THE FUTURE of the authorised economic operator (AEO) scheme appears clouded until such time as it gains broader acceptance from the industry and its advantages become plain.