5368.0.55.018 - Information Paper: Experimental Statistics on International Shipping Container Movements, 2009-10  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 16/09/2011  First Issue
   Page tools: Print Print Page Print all pages in this productPrint All

FEEDBACK AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS


The ABS has not been funded to release international container movement statistics but, subject to feedback on this information paper, may be able to continue to release the above set of statistics as minimal processes are required to aggregate the dataset provided by Customs and Border Protection. If stakeholder feedback demonstrates that more detailed and/or frequent data are required, the ABS would seek to have the additional activity funded by the stakeholders.

Previous discussion with stakeholders identified Value, Gross Weight and Overseas Port of Loading as key variables missing from the existing set of statistics. The ABS could work with Customs and Border Protection to add additional field(s) to the dataset and the resulting statistics but this would need to be costed.

This information paper has focussed on inward international container movement statistics but Customs and Border Protection has undertaken a similar investigation into outward container movement statistics. The main difference between the two datasets is that the postcode of origin (e.g. postcode of packaging/containerisation) is not available from Customs documentation for exports although state of origin of the exported goods is reported. Previous discussion with stakeholders indicated that the statistics would be of minimal use without this variable. Adding an additional field would require changes to legislation, Customs documentation and information technology systems for both government agencies and industry. This is likely to be costly and any proposal would require a full cost-benefit analysis.

The ABS welcomes feedback on any issues raised in this paper but in particular stakeholders might like to address the following points:

a) Does the methodology outlined in Customs and Border Protection Methodology and the Explanatory Notes produce sufficiently robust TEU counts? Yes / No

If No, please describe your concerns

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

b) Does the set of monthly and quarterly inward international container movement statistics released with this information paper (see Proposed outputs) help address government and industry questions about the international movement of containers? Yes / No

If No,

What is the minimum set of statistics that would be required to address government and industry questions about the international movement of containers?

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

c) Is the addition of value to the inward international container movement statistics considered: Essential / Useful / Unnecessary / No comment?

d) Is the addition of gross weight to the inward international container movement statistics considered: Essential / Useful / Unnecessary / No comment?

e) Is the addition of overseas port of loading to the inward international container movement statistics considered: Essential / Useful / Unnecessary / No comment?

f) If a more detailed set of inward international container movement statistics is required, would you consider paying for the information? Yes / No

g) Would a set of monthly and quarterly outward international container movement statistics similar to those released with this information paper help address government and industry questions about freight movement? Yes / No

If No,

What is the minimum set of statistics that would be required to address government and industry questions about freight movement?

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

h) Is a set of monthly and quarterly outward international container movement statistics without postcode of origin worth pursuing? Yes / No

i) Is the inclusion of gross weight in any outward international container movement statistics considered: Essential / Useful / Unnecessary / No comment?

j) Do you have any other comments on this information paper? Yes / No

If Yes, please specify

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Responses to the above questions should be e-mailed to <international.trade@abs.gov.au> by 24 October 2011. If you would like to discuss this information paper please contact Mark Nelson on 02 6252 7890.