Date: Thursday 27 and Friday 28 August 2026 (Gala Dinner 27 August 2026)
Conference venue: Sheraton Grand, Sydney Hyde Park – Sydney, Australia
Gala Dinner venue: Strangers Room, NSW Parliament House – Sydney, Australia
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NZ Cargo Owners Council partners with APSA & FTA for joint conference
The New Zealand Cargo Owners Council (NZCOC), Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA), and the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) are proud to launch the Australia & New Zealand Shipping & Logistics Conference.
To be hosted on a rotating basis between Australia and New Zealand, the inaugural conference will take place at the Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park, Australia, on Thursday 27 and Friday 28 August 2026. The Port of Newcastle joins as the event’s Platinum Sponsor, supporting this important flagship event, set to become the premier annual forum showcasing regional supply chain collaboration to the world.
The event will bring together exporters, importers, freight forwarders, customs brokers, ports, airports, shipping lines, airlines, depots, transport operators and government stakeholders from across Australia and New Zealand to address shared challenges and opportunities across our shipping and logistics sectors.
The conference will focus on:
• Shipping into the region and global connectivity
• Infrastructure investment, airport and port performance
• Biosecurity, border compliance, security and regulatory harmonisation
• The exponential growth of e-commerce, consumer demands and global best practices
• Decarbonisation and sustainability initiatives in supply chains
• Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, automation and digital transformation in logistics
“This event will bring our region’s freight and trade leaders together in a strategic, solutions-focused environment,” said Paul Zalai, Director of FTA and Secretariat of APSA. “The continued growth of global trade demands more agile and responsive logistics to achieve productivity gains.”
Olga Harriton, Chair of APSA, added: “This conference is a unique platform for cargo owners to shape the future of trade and logistics across our region. The themes of this event reflect the complex challenges we face. It is only through active collaboration with governments, service providers, and technology leaders that we can build a more efficient, secure, and future-ready supply chain.”
Brent Falvey, Chair of NZCOC, stated: “We’re excited to partner with our Australian counterparts in this new initiative – it’s a foundation for long-term engagement, practical solutions, and stronger commercial outcomes; not just for cargo owners but all supply chain participants – on both sides of the Tasman.”
Craig Carmody, CEO of Port of Newcastle said: “Port of Newcastle is proud to support this landmark conference as it aligns with our strategic commitment to diversify trade, invest in future-focused infrastructure, and strengthen regional connectivity. As we pursue initiatives, such as increasing the berth length at our Multipurpose Terminal to accommodate larger container vessels and the development of a car import terminal, we see stakeholder collaboration as essential to building more sustainable, resilient, and globally competitive supply chains.”
Event Details
Date: Thursday 27 and Friday 28 August 2026 (Gala Dinner 27 August 2026)
Conference venue: Sheraton Grand, Sydney Hyde Park – Sydney, Australia
Gala Dinner venue: Strangers Room, NSW Parliament House – Sydney, Australia
Sponsorship open: contact info@FTAlliance.com.au
Registration, speaker announcements and further information will be released in the
coming weeks.
ABOUT NZCOC
The New Zealand Cargo Owners Council (NZCOC) is the principal association representing the shipping supply chain interests of New Zealand’s major cargo owners including many of the country’s largest exporters and importers.
Formerly known as the NZ Shippers’ Council, NZCOC’s focus revolves around efficient, reliable, cost-effective movement of cargo; domestically and internationally. NZCOC’s interests span matters relating to cargo handling and transportation, border processes, workforce, safety, infrastructure, environment, commerce, trade and legislative impacts on the supply chain.
CONTACT
Joanna Murray – Executive Officer NZCOC
executiveofficer@nzcoc.og.nz www.nzcoc.org.nz
ABOUT FTA / APSA
Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) is Australia’s leading representative body for the international supply chain sector bringing together importers, exporters, customs brokers, freight forwarders, logistics service providers and industry groups. FTA also manages the Secretariat for the Australian Peak Shippers’ Association (APSA) being the peak body as designated by the Federal Minister of Infrastructure and Transport to protect the interests of Australia’s cargo owners and shippers in respect to shipping and international logistics services.
CONTACT
Paul Zalai – Director, Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA), Secretariat, Australian Peak
Shippers Association (APSA)
pzalai@ftalliance.com.au mobile: 0408 280 123 www.FTAlliance.com.au
ABOUT PORT OF NEWCASTLE
Port of Newcastle exists to build Australia’s prosperity with responsible, integrated and innovative supply chain solutions.
With trade worth about $48 billion to the national economy each year, Port of Newcastle enables Australian businesses to successfully compete in international markets.