January 01, 2020

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March 22, 2020

Antrak are committed to the wellbeing of our people, our clients, or contractors and our community.  To ensure we keep all parties safe whilst continuing to provide services to our clients we have implemented a Business Contingency Plan which will take effect as at close of business 23 March 2020.

During this period the majority of Antrak staff will be working from home.  As part of a global organization, working virtually has been part of our business processes for many years, including using tools such as Antrak IT and aligned cloud based systems, Microsoft Teams and various other tools to keep our staff and clients connected and fully informed throughout the world.  Our Business Continuity Plan has been thoroughly tested and will continue to meet the needs for all our customers and stakeholders during this period.

All staff will be available on existing landline, mobile phone and email contact points.  

Please rest assured that we will continue to provide our services and will update you as any changes arise

March 19, 2020

In light of the evolving Covid-19, we would like to provide an update on the steps that Antrak have taken to give you peace of mind that we will continue to provide our outstanding services during this difficult period.

We continue to follow the guidance of international and local health authorities to ensure that we play our role in protecting the health of our communities. Our priority is to make sure that we do everything possible to ensure that our people remain safe and healthy through this time while also ensuring that our clients come through this period in the strongest possible position.

As part of a global organization, working virtually has been part of our business process for many years, including using tools such as Antrak-IT and aligned cloud-based tracking systems, Microsoft Teams, and various other tools to keep our staff and clients connected and fully informed throughout the world.

We have implemented a range of protocols to date including:

•            Implemented travel restrictions for all non-essential travel

•            Introduced temperature testing for all our staff on a daily basis

•            Minimised face to face contact with third parties by using video conferencing more frequently

•            Reinforced safe hygiene practices across all offices and sites to limit infection and transmission

•            Increased cleaning and disinfecting measures in our work places

•             Implemented self-quarantine for people they have returned from overseas or interstate, have exhibited any of the common symptoms of COVID-19 or when they may have been in close contact with someone who has or is presumed to have COVID-19

It’s important that we are flexible and respond quickly and responsibly to developments around the world whilst maintaining our commitment to safety and continue to serve our clients. As the situation evolves, it is likely that we will have our staff working from home in isolation. Our Business Continuity Plan has been thoroughly tested and we will continue to meet the needs of all our customers and stakeholders during this period. You will be able to contact our staff as normal by email, direct line phone number or mobile phone. For convenience, all direct line phone numbers for our staff will be re- directed to their mobile phone numbers during such an event.

We are a resilient team and have proven our resolve when facing adversity in the past. We will continue to closely monitor the situation and will take immediate actions as required.

If we all support each other, we are confident that we will work through the many issues which may confront us over the coming months.

Ted Del Borrello and Tim Kelly

January 01, 2020

DPU: renaming of DAT

In the Incoterms 2020 a new Incoterm DPU (Delivered at Place Unloaded) is created replacing the DAT (Delivered at Terminal). This change of acronyms is a simple renaming given that the obligations and functions of both terms are exactly the same.

DPU is the only Incoterm in which the goods are delivered unloaded at the place of destination. The change of name is substantiated as the goods cannot only be unloaded at a transport terminal or infrastructure (port, airport, dock etc.) but likewise at any other point in the destination country which has facilities for the unloading of the goods from the means of transport, such as for example a factory or warehouse.

FCA: option of Bill of Lading (BL) with on-board notation

In the Incoterms 2020 version, this option is specified, for maritime transport, so that the buyer may instruct the carrier (shipping company or its agent) which has been contracted in order to issue a Bill of Lading (B/L – Bill of Lading) on behalf of the seller with the annotation of “aboard” (on-board), which specifies that the goods have been loaded aboard the ship. This is the most common shipment document which is used in the letter of credits transactions in order to substantiate the delivery of the goods and, thereby, payment of the credit to the seller.

CIP and CIF: different coverage of transport insurance

In Incoterms CIP the seller is under the obligation to take out under contract transport insurance in favour of the buyer with extensive coverage, which corresponds to Clause A of the Institute Cargo Clauses (IUA/LMA). Nevertheless, the parties may agree to take out insurance which offers reduced coverage (Clause C of the Institute Cargo Clauses).

In Incoterms CIF the seller is only under the obligation to take out under contract insurance with minimum coverage, which corresponds to Clause C of the Institute  Cargo Clauses (IUA/LMA). This difference with CIP is justified on the basis that as the CIF is commonly used for bulk maritime transport (raw materials, minerals etc.) whose price per kilo is very low and the requirement of insurance with maximum coverage which would drive up considerably the policy premium, making it much more expensive, and which is detrimental to margin for negotiation of the sellers. In either event, just like in Incoterms CIP the parties may agree to take out insurance which offers broader coverage (Clause A of the Institute Cargo Clauses) which will be compulsory, if the payment of the sale is made by means of a letter of credit

December 31, 2019

Periodically revised by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the newest edition of Incoterms® 2020 rules entered into force on 1st January 2020.

What the Incoterms® 2020 rules do and do not do: reminder of the basic principles by ICC.

• ICC 2020 rules now include a list of what Incoterms® rules cover and what should, on the contrary, be expressly provided for in the commercial contract between buyer and seller, such as retention of title clause, payment methods or the competent jurisdiction and applicable law in case of dispute

• Incoterms® rules FAS, FOB, CFR and CIF should only be used for sea and inland waterway transport where goods are placed by seller onboard or alongside a vessel at a sea or river port (non-containerized goods, raw materials for instance). On the contrary, Incoterms® rules EXW, FCA, CPT, CIP, DAP, DPU and DDP can be used for any modes of transport

• The applicable Incoterms® rule should always be mentioned on all commercial and shipping documents and should always indicate which version applies (2020? 2010? older version?) as well as the exact delivery point where costs and risks transfer from seller to buyer

• Any alteration of the Incoterms® rules should always be clearly described in the commercial contract between buyer and seller and mentioned in all commercial and shipping documents

• Whenever possible, Incoterms® rules EXW and DDP should be avoided for international operations as they may cause distress to buyer or seller, especially regarding fiscal and customs obligations

• Regarding the SOLAS regulations and the related Verified Gross Mass (VGM), it has been decided that Incoterms® 2020 rules would not determine who is responsible for the provision of the VGM prior to loading: therefore, this obligation should be discussed between buyer and seller and provided for in the commercial contract

• Incoterms® rules DAP and DPU indicate that the seller is responsible for customs transit formalities in the country of export whereas the buyer is responsible for customs transit formalities in the country of import