22 C


Issue 6 2011


Truck emissions – thinking outside the envelope


ould there one be an eco-labelling system for


trucks, similar to that for cars or refrigerators? It could be – but there are a lot of issues to sort out before it becomes a reality. It was one of the topics of


discussion at a joint workshop in Brussels on 10 November, organised by the EU Directorate General for Climate Action and the International Council on Clean Transportation. While there is no firm timetable for any of these proposals, following stakeholder meetings and impact assessments by the end of next year, it could form part of EU regulations by the first half of 2013 With


trucks, more than with


private cars, there are a huge number of variables to consider, including the type of operation, the style of driving


and so on. Trucks also potentially carry a lot of extra fittings that can effect emission performance – for good or bad – and these would ideally have to be takwen into account for any labelling scheme. What is being implied goes


beyond the existing Euro 4, 5 or 6 ratings – which apply to the engine only – but might even consider the whole truck, including its aerodynamic performance of the tractor and trailer. Here, there is a potential conflict between improving airflow and existing dimension limits – devices such as farings could either take the truck outside the existing dimensional envelope or, conversely, would cut into payload – and that would be self-defeating. It would be helpful if the Commission were able to show


European airfreight


bottleneck looms M


ore trouble is brewing in European airfreight, and I’m


not talking about the recent ban on night flights at Frankfurt. The April 2013 deadline for the new system of known shippers and regulated agents is not so far away now and it would extend a UK-style security regime across Europe. So far, though, there are precious


few signs that shippers are queuing up to get themselves registered as ‘known’ – so far, only a handful had themselves audited in Germany. The new regime involves a much higher degree of inspection and scrutiny than previously required – which truth be told really only


amounts to signing a piece of paper – and shippers are, understandably perhaps, very unenthusiastic. That would thrust the burden of


arranging screening and scanning on the forwarders and, in turn, the airlines. The prospect of thousands shipments queuing up to use the handful of available scanners at a major European air hub is not an appealing one. More shippers should be


8293-Seatruck 270x60mm Advert 26/05/2011 12:24pm Page 1


encouraged to register, of course, but in reality the rigorous conditions would only suit large ones with regular flows of air cargo from the same locations or those with, or planning to obtain, AEO certification.


a bit of flexibility in this area, and also in relaxing night-time and week-end bans on truck operations. The latter also prevent trucking from operating at quieter times in some areas of Europe, which if relaxed could help reduce their operational emissions. In France, there is continuing


debate over the use of 44 tonne trucks. The French government


is considering calls to increase the maximum truck size from 40 tonnes currently to 44t. The road freight industry, it would appear, would like this to be on five axles – rather than six which is how countries like the UK deal with the issue of axle loads – but it’s debatable whether they will get their wish.


Storm brews in


Sweden over port competition


P


lans by the port of Gothenburg to privatise its various container


terminals have ruffled a few feathers. AP Moller Terminals, part of the Danish shipping giant that also includes Maersk Line, has won the concession to operate the main container terminal, where Maersk currently accounts for around 35% of throughput. However, the Danish line is thought to be planning to significantly increase its usage of the terminal, including some direct Far East calls, so that percentage can be expected to rise further. Other lines are crying foul, worried


that they might not get berthing priority. AP Moller, predictably enough, says that Maersk is just another customer and that its terminal arm is neutral. However, the Swedish competition authorities are taking a look at the matter. Could this be the spark that EU


reignites interest in port


competition? Last time they tried, it ended up with strikes and protests in Brussels by dockworkers fearful for their jobs if the status quo was


meddled with. But there are concerns about


port competition, of the lack of it, not least in landlocked Austria, where some shippers are voicing concern about the lack of choice in the Adriatic, one of their main outlets to the sea. One firm was reportedly hit with a 6,000% increase in storage fees recently, although the details are not known to the author. Traditionally, though, it’s been a


difficult area to motivate shippers to get involved in, partly because they are not always directly involved with ports. However, if they start to see an effect on their bottom lines, that might give them an incentive to do so.


Meanwhile, back in little old


Britain, we do now have the prospect of some head-on competition between two major container ports, with the opening of London Gateway in 2013. If nothing else, the new port demonstrates faith in the UK’s ability to continue to attract main line calls.


///SHIPPERS VOICE NEWS ROUNDUP


INTERNATIONAL TRADE & CUSTOMS


Mike Norgrove has been appointed director general of business tax at HM Revenue & Customs following Melanie Dawes’ departure for a role in the Cabinet Office. Mr Norgrove has been HMRC’s director of intelligence, central compliance, excise, customs, stamps and money since HMRC’s creation in 2005 and has been acting director since October 2011. He in turn has been replaced by Bill Williamson.


The Export Control Organisation, which supervises shipments of defence-related goods from the UK, has reviewed its policy on licence applications made by freight forwarders and other transport providers. A new Notice to Exporters (2011/21) explains when a freight forwarder can apply on behalf or an exporter or in their own name.


Many EU exporters are not taking advantage of the elimination of tariffs under the new Free Trade Agreement said the South Korean customs administration, three months after its entry into force. Exporters need to obtain an ‘EU exporter certificate’ to benefit from reduced or zero tariffs from their national customs administrations, the number of which must appear on their invoice.


The government is to end Low Value Consignment Relief (LVCR) on goods from the Channel Islands from 1 April. The measure has been used by large retailers to ship goods such as CDs and DVDs in bulk to Guernsey and Jersey and then mail individual items to purchasers, avoiding UK VAT. The Government said the move would help recover an additional £140m of VAT a year but it has been criticised in the Channel Islands as it could put about 1700 jobs in the fulfilment industry at risk. LVCR will still apply to imports from other parts of the EU, although the minimum threshold at which it will apply has been reduced from £18 to £15.


The IRU’s Electronic Pre-Declaration System is now available in Belarus, Georgia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina, opening up the entire Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan.


The European Commission has published a new regulation to further automate trade in excise goods in Europe. It aims to replace manual procedures with automated ones wherever this information is electronically available in the automated Excise Movement and Control System (ECMS) such as information on controls or interruptions to the movement of goods.


US Customs and Border Protection said it would launch a Simplified Entry Pilot scheme for airfreight at the end of December as part of its Simplified Processes trade initiative. It would speed up release of shipments and would be based on 13 compulsory and three optional data elements, instead of the 27 currently required. CBP is planning similar pilots for ocean and rail freight in early to mid-2012.


The CCS UK user group has agreed a specification for an electronic fall- back system for Chief with HM Revenue & Customs. The new system is expected to be completed within the next 12-18 months.


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