Air Freight News - More Penalties For Cargo Carriers Who Broke Anti Trust Legislation

 

BA and Cargolux Fined whilst American Airlines Cargo Open New Route NEW ZEALAND – US – HUNGARY – The fines levied on British Airways Cargo and Cargolux for their part in the New Zealand air freight cartel scandal mentioned in our article last month have now been determined and published. BA have been fined NZ$1.6 million and Cargolux fined NZ$4.6 million for their part in the affair after Qantas accepted a NZ$6.5 million penalty in March. Both airlines will also have to pay costs.

 

The Commission’s proceedings were filed in December 2008 against 13 international airlines, alleging that the airlines colluded to raise the price of freighting cargo by imposing fuel surcharges on cargo shipments into and out of New Zealand. Cargolux and BA have admitted fixing the price of fuel surcharges, and Cargolux has also admitted agreeing security surcharges in respect of freighted cargo.

 

JAL hit with cartel fine 

Japan's Japan Airlines (JAL) is co-operating with Australia's consumer watchdog, but still has been ordered to pay a US$5.5 million penalty for its involvement in a 'fuel surcharge and other charges' price fixing cartel. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said seven international airlines involved in the cartel now have been fined A$46.5 million. The ACCC is still proceeding against Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Korean Air Lines, Air New Zealand and Thai Airways International. roceedings against Garuda and Malaysian Air Lines have been stayed because of an appeal.  

   

Japan Radiation Checks

Japan will conduct radiation checks on ships/containers leaving the Ports of Tokyo, Yokohama and Kawasaki starting on April 28th.

These inspections will measure the radiation levels in accordance with the Ministry of Land,Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism guidelines and if they pass inspection the ministry will issue “Certificates of  Safety".

Japan wants to instill confidence in the shipping community regarding the safety of their ships and containers by fully implementing these measures as soon as possible.

 

Qantas Engineers to strike

Australian carrier Qantas says its engineers have voted to take industrial action in May, seeking better pay and conditions.

Members of the Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association want to see a positive response to their log of claims, but so far they have been rejected by the airline.

The engineers join international pilots and baggage handlers who also are threatening to take industrial action.

Unions say the airline is outsourcing work in Australia and overseas, threatening company jobs.

 

 

AQIS Notification Chinese Quarantine Certificates

 

Who is affected by this notice?

This notice to provide AQIS clients a further update concerning inspection and quarantine certificates issued by China.

What is the update?

AQIS advises that there are still large volumes of certificates from China with serious non-conformities being presented to regional offices. AQIS is aware of the difficulties associated with the verification of the new Chinese certification and will continue to work with China to find better solutions to verify the authenticity of certificates.

As a means of dealing with current problems AQIS is creating ‘Supplier Profiles’ for non-compliant certificates. Upon identification of a non-compliant certificate the next five consignments from the identified supplier will be required to have the original documents presented to AQIS for assessment. Once five consecutive passes have been obtained AQIS and industry will be able to gain assurance that the Supplier has rectified the issue of non-conformity in China.

To avoid delays in having consignments released from Quarantine, AQIS recommends clients obtain original certificates, as there are additional security features that can be used to verify the authenticity of the certificate that are not available on scanned versions or photocopies. AQIS will continue to provide updates to industry to ensure any issues are addressed accordingly.

 

 

Call for Changes to SOLAS to suppress piracy at sea 

 UK and US maritime lawyer and maritime author Dr John Cartner is calling on the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to enact changes to the Safety at Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS) to combat the continuing problem of piracy facing the global merchant fleet by allowing ships to carry armed guards. Piracy is a growing phenomenon with 1,181 seafarers captured and eight killed in 2010.

According to Dr Cartner, under SOLAS and other laws it is a ship master’s doctrinal duty to protect the lives of those aboard his ship, but that he may not currently lawfully do this with private armed guards. As pirates endanger the lives of persons aboard ships, SOLAS should be amended under the tacit acceptance procedure of the convention to give limited transactional immunity to the shipowner and master placing armed guards aboard their vessels to protect the lives of those aboard. The tacit acceptance procedure facilitates a quick and simple modification to keep pace with rapidly-evolving technology in shipping, but can also be used to deal with pirates.

“A vote of IMO members can pass a change to SOLAS which would give limited transactional immunity to any person who in good faith injures a putative pirate to protect the lives aboard,” said Dr Cartner, who is an unrestricted master mariner who has commanded tankers and container vessels.

“This person would be immune from prosecution by any state party or civil suit in any jurisdiction by the injured or his personal representative if the injury occurs in an area declared by the IMO Secretary General to be one known to be frequented by pirates. The language would cover any party including owners, managers, operators, insurers, armed guards and their hiring entities, masters and officers and ratings.

 

 

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