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FIATA E-Flash No 14 – 20
October 2010 Special edition “FIATA World
Congress 2010 in Bangkok” The 2010 FIATA World Congress was held
from 4th to 8th October in Bangkok, Thailand. The attractive congress
program and the concurrently running exhibition attracted hundreds of
participants from 73 countries. For your information please find hereafter a
summary of the various meetings held by our technical bodies. If you wish to
receive more information please do not hesitate to contact the responsible Manager
at our Secretariat. AFI - Airfreight Institute The Chairman of the Airfreight Institute
expressed "cautious optimism" following the constructive meeting of
AFI Members with Mr Des Vertannes, Head of Global Cargo IATA (International Air
Transport Association). It was felt that meaningful progress has been made
towards resolving a number of long standing industry concerns in particular
those relative to IATA's Cargo Agency Programme. For his part, and on behalf of the IATA Secretariat,
Mr Vertannes was subsequently invited to address the Plenary Meeting of the
Airfreight Institute. There he outlined his readiness and determination to
improve levels of facilitation and cooperation with FIATA and its members in
order to bring about the improvements needed to achieve a mutually equitable
Industry partnership. For more information please contact our
Manager Daniel Bloch (bloch@fiata.com). CAI - Customs Affairs
Institute The Customs Affairs Institute Meeting
provided the opportunity for delegates to address the impending
implementation of the European Unions Import Control System (ICS). In
particular cargo security requirements effective 1 January 2011 as to cargo
first port of arrival or departure. Delegates were appraised as to the need
for ensuring the accurate reporting of data for border cargo security purpose
and the need to ensure the relationship with the carriers as the principle
reporter as clearly understood, agreed and documented. This new arrangements and benchmarking of
processes have taken their precedence from the United States Customs and
Border Protection Advanced Cargo Information and Importer Security Filing
(10+2) processes. Delegates noted that these regulatory compliance
requirements would necessarily require business process change and additional
costs and these would then necessarily flow through to clients and/or
traders. In addition the bilateral work of FIATA
with the World Customs Organization (WCO) was highlighted as was the
recent restatement of the relationship with the WCO under a new Memorandum of
Understanding signed between the parties in June 2010. The meeting noted the ever increasing
level of compliance intervention by regulatory agencies at the border as to
the need for international freight forwarders to deliver cost efficient
outcomes for their clients. The meeting called for transparency by
regulators in this change process and agreed deliverables for both the public
and private sector in these changes. The opportunities for the Customs Affairs
Institute of FIATA to be integral in these changes was called for. For more information please contact our
Manager Daniel Bloch (bloch@fiata.com). MTI - Multimodal Transport
Institute Mr Mukul Saran Mathur, Head of UIC Asia
Region Office in New Delhi, gave an interesting presentation on Rail traffic
in Asia. He made clear in his speech that container traffic will extremely
grow in the Asian area within the next years and the potential is enormous
for rail companies in this region. For enhancing rail transport, the
infrastructure must improve and operation problems have to be settled. The Chairman of the Working Group Rail
Transport of FIATA reported that the freight forwarders welcomed the X-rail
project but regrettably only seven railway companies participated in this
important project. He felt that more competition will improve railway
services which are still a weak point in rail freight transportation. He
encouraged the delegates to attend the next FIATA/UIC Market Place Seminar
that will take place on 2 to 3 November 2010 in Barcelona, Spain. The Chairman of the Working Group Road
Transport stated that the Visa and quota problem for Turkish, Iranian, Syrian
and Russian trucks still exists and a mutual solution should be negotiated
between the European Union and the relevant countries. It means that truck
drivers from those countries can only stay for 45 days in a six months period
in the EU and due to this restriction freight forwarders are faced with a
lack of sufficiently trained drivers. The secure parking places are still
insufficient and especially at borders secure and safe parking place have to
be established. FIATA expects some results in the near future. The auxiliary
infrastructure for truck drivers is much better in North America than in
Europe. Another problem that has been raised is that truck drivers are not
willing to invest an amount for a secure parking lot, shippers should insist
with freight forwarders and trucking companies that their goods should be
stored overnight on secure parking lots. Insurance companies should also be
interested that the trucks are parked in a secure and safe environment. The Chairman of the Working Group Sea
Transport reported that the new edition of INCOTERMS 2010 will be effective
from 1 January 2011. FIATA is an observer to the ICC and has been a regular
contributor to Incoterms meetings and studied and reacted to propose changes
as each draft has been published. Incoterms are to be divided into two
categories instead of the previous four as follows: Terms for any modes of
transport or terms for sea and inland waterway transport. There is also a
reduction from the existing thirteen Incoterms to eleven only. DAF, DES, DEQ
and DDU have been deleted and two new Incoterms, DAT and DAP, are introduced. For more information please contact our
Manager René Zimmermann (zimmermann@fiata.com). ABDG – Advisory Body
Dangerous Goods The Chairman informed on the adopted
proposals of the ADR/RID 2011 (land transport of Dangerous Goods) and gave an
update on the air mode IATA DGR (ICAO-TI and sea mode IMDG code:
The Chairman provided furthermore a brief
update on the future regulatory work program for Telematics (electronic
monitoring of dangerous goods transports). Additionally interesting
information on the responsibility of Freight Forwarders when transporting
Dangerous Goods Transport by Air was presented. He was also happy to introduce an expert
on transports of Dangerous Goods in Thailand, Mr Pongnarin Petchu, Dangerous
Goods Safety Adviser (DGSA) who provided a highly interesting insight into
the handling of Dangerous Goods in the hosting country of the FIATA World
Congress. On the land mode – particularly road – Thailand follows to a large
extend the European Regulations on transports of Dangerous Goods. For more information please contact our
Manager Markus Schoeni (schoeni@fiata.com). ABLM – Advisory Body Legal
Matters Chairman Richard Gluck (USA) welcomed
delegates from all over the world to this interesting meeting. After the
approval of the minutes of the last ABLM meeting, the Chairman informed the
delegates about the newest development on the Iranian sanctions. The update
on increased enforcement of mainly the US and EU sanctions on parties
facilitating trade with Iran was given by the Chair, and has attracted a
large floor discussion. Recent case law
updates from all over the world provided to the delegates by the TTClub was
much appreciated. Next on the agenda was the new FIATA booklet
“Correspondents’ Agreement” presented by the Chairman and the ABLM Manager.
The ABLM also adopted the new co-opted member Ms Veronica Taubas from
Argentina. She will join the ABLM expert team with immediate effect.
For more information
please contact our Manager Peter Maegerle (maegerle@fiata.com).
ABSM - Advisory Body Security
Matters
The following topics were raised and
discussed during the meeting of the ABSM:
For more information
please contact our Manager Peter Maegerle (maegerle@fiata.com).
ABVT – Advisory Body
Vocational Training
Mr Thomas Sim, Chairman ABVT warmly
welcomed the delegates. Certificates were delivered to
Associations that have successfully re-validated their training material,
i.e. the Czech Republic, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, and Singapore. For
the first time ABVT has validated a program for the FIATA Higher Diploma in
Supply Chain Management for two Associations in Ukraine. The Chairman invited
once more those Associations which have not yet applied for a re-validation
of its current material within the last four years to come forward. Since the HQ Session in March 2010 a
further 266 course attendants have been awarded the renowned FIATA Diploma.
The total number of Diplomas released since 1996 amounts now to 6’599. On behalf of the Chairman of the YIFFY
Award Steering Group the Manager ABVT invited the overall and regional winner
Mr Philipp Küffner to voice his experience and personal impression with Young
International Freight Forwarder of the Year Award 2010. For the year 2010, 16
nominations were registered. The FIATA Foundation Vocational Training
has organised a successful mission in Ethiopia in cooperation with the
Ethiopian Freight Forwarding and Shipping Agents Association. The President
of the FFVT, Aldo Da Ros reported on ongoing evaluation of projects in East
Africa and Latin America. He also thanked the supporting members and donors for
their continuous support. After the traditional raffle in favour of the
Foundation a short recognition ceremony of the donors was held at the Gala
Dinner. In 2010, self-funded short courses teaching techniques for trainers
were delivered in South Africa and Malaysia. The Chinese Association (CIFA) reported
on training initiatives in China where the number of trainees (national
courses) is quite impressive – though training according to the FIATA
standards needs to be further developed. The 3rd ABVT Forum on Vocational Training
took place on 7 October offering a platform and panel discurd discussion
to Association members interested in training, concentrating on general tasks
and future activities of ABVT, new tools and technologies in training, and
finally the cooperation on vocational education with similar organizations or
institutions. For more information
please contact our Manager Markus Schoeni (schoeni@fiata.com).
RAME – Region Africa/Middle
East
The RAME meeting, chaired by former FIATA
President Issa Baluch (United Arab Emirates) was attended by a large number
of delegates who took actively part in the dialogue. Honourable mention was made for last
year’s Young International Freight Forwarder of the Year Award winner, Mr
Rion Henning of South Africa, who presented a shorter version of his winning
piece. Also cited was Ms Catherine Daniels, Ghana Institute of Freight
Forwarders Secretariat Manager, who spearheaded the organizing committee of
last year’s RMAE meeting held in Accra, Ghana. The honourable citation was
followed by the highlights of the RAME meeting in Ghana, which was attended
by 138 delegates from 11 countries, along with government officials and high
ranking representatives from the Ghana Government and Commercial
Trade.
The Shipping and Forwarding Agents’ Association of Zimbabwe made an engaging
and informative presentation, with focus on latest developments and
infrastructure in their country. According to SFAAZ for the first time in the
history of Zimbabwe there is now a foreseen workable solution to their
country’s logistics troubles. The South African Association of Freight
Forwarders representative, Mr Basil Pieters, made a presentation on Traxon,
an electronic system proposed to use for FIATA to track export shipments. Further on in the meeting, NAFL’s board member,
Mr Ali Al Jallaf, made a presentation on Dubai, UAE which was vying to be the
venue of the next RAME meeting in 2011. It was contended that the decision
for the venue will be finalized in Zurich, at the FIATA headquarters session
in March 2011. Cairo, Egypt was also featured during the meeting, which is
the next venue for the FIATA World Congress in 2011. Another highlight was the launch of Mr
Issa Baluch’s second book on logistics entitled “Transport Logistics: the
Wheel of Commerce”. Mr Charles Edwards, co-author, discussed some important
points of the book, and stressed the value of the text for training and
educational purposes. In closing, Mr. Baluch welcomed
membership applications from associations from countries in Nigeria, Rwanda,
Cameroun, Qatar, Togo and Syria, and encouraged all the delegates to nominate
a candidate for the next YIFFA. For more information please contact our
Manager René Zimmermann (zimmermann@fiata.com). RAMNS – Region Americas The Chairman Rodolfo Sagel from Argentina
welcomed delegates from North, Central and South America. FIATA President
Jean-Claude Delen also partially attended the meeting. On Land Transport, Mr Cameron Roberts,
Attorney from California, reported on labour disputes in Long Beach and Los
Angeles Port with the trucker community and liability issues on Inland and
Trough B/Ls consigned shipments. Further topics were Security (ENS / AMS
standards). On Airfreight Mr Richard Gluck (ABLM
Chairman from the USA) touched on legal/claim matters within the application
of the Montreal/Warsaw Convention. Representatives from Latin America
announced concerned on the progressive lack of choice in the Latin American
Airfreight market in connection with the bankruptcy of two important airlines
in the region. The Chair of the Region Americas was
proud to have the regional winner of the “Young International Freight
Forwarder of the Year Award (2010) in the meeting and warmly congratulated Ms
Claudia Ramirez, born in Mexico but working in Canada, to her outstanding
achievement. On education and training, AMACARGA
President Ernesto A Schoedl, mentioned that AMACARGA is in the process of
setting up a Training Institute in Mexico and has started negotiations with Colombia
and Chile in assisting them to build up a training course. As announced
earlier, the FIATA Foundation will help to materialize this interesting
project and to spread professional knowledge on the continent. Mr Guillermo Gonzalez Larsen, Chairman ALACAT,
informed that the next ALACAT congress will take place in Cartagena, Colombia
in May 2011. He extended a cordial invitation to all attendants of the
meeting and whole FIATA community. For more information please contact our
Manager Markus Schoeni (schoeni@fiata.com). RAP - Region Asia/Pacific The RAP meeting was very well attended by
about 135 participants and was chaired by FIATA Vice President Chris Kanter
(Indonesia). This meeting built upon the
successful 4th Region Asia Pacific meeting in Bali in June at which 14
countries where represented and provided the delegates to reflect upon the
key issues from that meeting and to share additional important input. Amongst the matters addressed where the
Chinese Advance Manifest System where the delegates repeated their interest
to get further and more informative details about implementation and
compliance monitoring. An interesting presentation was provided
to delegates by the two FIATA Association members representing Japan. It was agreed by the meeting, Mr Dong Woo
Ha of UN-ESCAP and Mr Suwit Ratanachinda, President of TIFFA, to hold the 5th
RAP Field Meeting in Bangkok in 2011. For more information please contact our
Manager Daniel Bloch (bloch@fiata.com). REU – Region Europe Mr Kostas Sandalcidis Chairman of the
FIATA WG Road Transport reported that 50 percent of Turkey-EU trade is
realised by road transportation, but they are faced with many
barriers:
Transportation Quotas are preventing the free usage of the services and
insufficient amount of CEMT documents and Visas for Truck Drivers where their
duration in EU territory remains limited. He stated that Turkey should be
considered as a part of the European Area. Dr. Ivan Petro, FIATA Vice-President
highlighted in his report that the legislative proposal of the rail network
for competitive freight was released on December 2008, Council common
position at second reading is now pending. He thought that users were not
sufficiently involved with governance bodies and with the elaboration of
quality indicators in the corridors, authorised applicants must be mandatory
all over the EU. The next FIATA/UIC Rail market place seminar will take place
in Barcelona on 2 and 3 November 2010. Road security and safety is an important
topic, due to lack of sufficient secure parking areas for truck drivers, also
a lot of high value goods are transported by road (e.g. Airfreight
shipments). FIATA recommends its members to use secure parking lots whenever
possible and pay in addition for security. Mr Robert Keen, Chairman of the Working
Group Sea Transport reported that the European Communication on the European Maritime
Transport Area without barriers and the European Maritime Transport Policy up
to 2018 were welcomed by the industry. The EU-Commission adopted various
measures: guidelines for veterinary checks, amendment of the implementing
rules for the Customs Code and new legislation lessening the administrative
burden for the maritime sector. Mr Piet Zimmerman’s updated the delegates
about Financing of Aviation Security and on the 2nd stage of EU-US Open Skies
Agreement. The item of Ash cloud has been discussed on the impact on
forwarders, especially in the light of EU compensation schemes for losses. Mr Surety informed the delegates on
changes in EU Customs and Security Regulations: introduction of Entry
Summary. Declaration and Exit Summary Declaration on 1 January 2011 – on its
impact to EU and non EU freight forwarders. For more information please contact our
Manager René Zimmermann (zimmermann@fiata.com). Main Forum „Thailand – the
Logistic Hub for ASIAN connectivity“ Mr. Alongkorn Ponlaboot, Deputy Minister
of Commerce of Thailand made clear in his presentation that Thailand
strengthen the forces in order to act as a regional centre to link countries
in Indochina together. The fact that the free trade negotiation framework for
ASEAN +6 concerns more than 3,000 million of population results in the
corresponding increase of the combine trade value. Thailand’s can be the hub
of these huge markets, thanks to Thailand’s strategic location and extensive
transport network. Dr. Chula Sukmanop, Deputy Director
General made in his presentation an overview of the various modes of
transport possibilities in Thailand. There is a need of improvement of the
actual infrastructure. They planned to build a rail link to Lao and China as
a part of Singapore-Kunming network and UNESCAP Trans Asian Railways,
including a modern customs location at the Thailand / Lao border. According
to him, the liberalisation process among the ASEAN countries should be
terminated by 2015. Dr. Dong-Woo HA, Director, Transport
Division, UNESCAP, reported that the Bangkok Declaration on Transport
Development in Asia, adopted by the first session of the Forum of Asian
Ministers of Transport, held in Bangkok, from 14 to 18 December 2009,
requested the UNESCAP secretariat “to assist regional members and associate
members in their efforts to provide connectivity and integration of the Asian
Highway network, the Trans-Asian Railway network and other transport modes by
working towards the development of an intergovernmental agreement on dry
ports.” Furthermore, UNESCAP supports the various countries in transport
facilitations. Mr Dusit Boonyakawin, Senior Business
Development Manager made clear in his presentation that the Thai customs
strongly supports the e-customs clearance process. For more information please contact our
Manager René Zimmermann (zimmermann@fiata.com). 21 October 2010 |
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