2


Issue 2 2014 Freight Business Journal


Speed up US global trade – that’s an order >> 1


must current- ly submit information


“to dozens of government agencies, oſten on paper forms, sometimes waiting on process for days to move goods across the border. The ITDS will allow businesses to electronically transmit, through a ‘single window’ the data required by the US Government to import or export cargo.” Coordinated and automated will


messaging increase


predictability for the private sector and allow companies to plan supply chain movements with greater confidence and less cost. The order also tells


government to partner with non-government stakeholders to build more efficient business processes and improve border


management policies. A newly expanded group, the Border Interagency Executive Council (BIEC) will be responsible for improving coordination among the dozens of agencies with import and export requirements and with outside stakeholders. In the UK, the British


International Freight Association said that it was interested in the announcement, “as it is in any development


that appears to


be aimed at promoting global trade and greater efficiencies within supply chains,” adding: “It will be interesting to see if the announcement adds some impetus to the European Union’s own Cassandra Project.” The timing was apt in light of


US-EU free trade talks, said BIFA, “although the language of the announcement is somewhat unclear. It refers in one place to


import/export but seems to then only focus on exports from the US. It is also unclear whether this will include fiscal/regulatory data and security declarations as no comment is made on the latter; and what if any impacts it will have on countries outside the US for companies shipping to and from the US.” And Joint Customs


Consultative Committee (JCCC) trade chairman and chairman of freight soſtware specialist ASM Peter MacSwiney described the single window as “undoubtedly the way forward” and the fact that the US was determined to push ahead with the plan was an example to the customs authorities in the UK, and Europe. “At least it appears that the Americans are going to do it,” he told FBJ. “All we seem to do is talk about it.”


LETTER TO THE EDITOR


Sir: There were a number of errors in the article, Descartes swallows up Impatex (FBJ 1 2014, page 19) in the last issue of FBJ which need correcting:


Firstly, the sale of Impatex to Descartes was concluded on 23 December and not 16 December, although (at the time of writing) the earlier date was what they were aiming for. Whilst it’s never a good time to tell staff about the sale of the company, had Impatex not sold to Descartes, and they purchased one of our competitors, then Impatex would have lost the opportunity of providing a pan-European Customs system, and therefore would have eventually lost all its major multinational customers as they adopt a pan-European Customs system to reduce costs and improve efficiencies. This would have had serious consequences for the business, so I felt that it was in the best interest of the staff and customers that Descartes takes over Impatex. Secondly, I have not come from the forwarding industry. I got involved whilst working for Burroughs Computers (now Unisys), when I was an account manager to the forwarding industry selling Burroughs minicomputers and soſtware to the forwarding industry in the late 70s. Thirdly, Descartes now owns NetFreight, along with Integrated Customs for Europe (ICE), and therefore is not a reseller of NetFreight, but the primary supplier of the soſtware. It is Freight Network Soſtware that will be the reseller of NetFreight to the freight networks in the US and UK. Lastly, Evgeni Pantchev is not joining Freight Network Soſtware, but was going to be taken on by Descartes to further develop NetFreight, although this may not now be the case. On a personal note, I have enjoyed the last 33 years working in the business with the staff and customers, but rather than stay on under Descartes, I felt it was right to ‘pass on the baton’ to the senior staff at Impatex, and keep a limited involvement by reselling NetFreight to the freight networks in the UK and US, with the added benefit of attending their annual conferences around the world with my wife and son, who are also directors of the new company. Kind Regards Peter Day Director – Freight Network Soſtware (Ltd & Inc)


Harbour Re- vision Order whilst seizing


She stressed: “The footprint


///NEWS


‘Plan B’ for Dover Terminal 2 scheme >> 1


new businesses opportunities for that land. Dover Western Docks Revival


is an opportunity to


deliver some of the key benefits, which remain unchanged from the original proposal, potentially kick starting the regeneration of Dover. Meanwhile,


though, she


added: “The existing Dover Cargo Terminal (DCT) in the Eastern Docks has been successfully operating and developing for a number of years. However, there is no opportunity for that business to grow in its current location and without new facilities George Hammond (the DCT stevedore) will soon lose the ability to meet its customers’ increasing needs. The current DCT cannot handle larger vessels or accommodate the loads that they carry due to space limitations. Developing cargo facilities within the Western Docks with two new longer


berths is a fantastic


business opportunity that will expand this business, utilise the Harbour Revision Order for the development of the Western Docks and unlock other commercial opportunities


for


the town and the community.” The current DCT would be


decommissioned and the space made available will be used to improve traffic flows within the existing ro ro terminal and increase capacity for ferry operators.


of the development is not changing. The project overall is in line with the consent awarded under the HRO, including the key regeneration elements that are so important to Dover. The difference is that, initially, ferry berths will not be built. Instead, two cargo berths will be built to create new employment opportunities sooner than would be the case if the original T2 plan was followed.” Through the early


development of the approved footprint in the Western Docks, Dover believes it can create over 600 new logistics industry jobs and safeguard another 140 positions. The scheme would also increase ferry berth capacity in the Eastern Docks through the transfer of the existing cargo operation to the west. The port is already carrying


out a traffic management improvement project and a


berth refurbishment and


replacement programme in the existing commercial area at Eastern Docks. The port said: “Dover Western


Docks Revival is a vision for the Port and the area that the Board is committed to and we will be working with our partners to bring this vision to fruition. It is important to note that we would like our community and stakeholders to sign up to this vision and help us deliver an opportunity for Dover.” The harbour board will shortly issue a Prior Information


Notice (PIN) in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) that the Port of Dover is contemplating investing in a major redevelopment project in the Western Docks. That would then


trigger an


early engagement process for interested contractors/suppliers to obtain market feedback and finalise a business plan. Dover has already started


work on a project approved under the HRO for junction improvements on the main A20 approach road. The aim is to issue tenders in July and, subject to all agreements being in place, work will start on site before the end of the year. The spokeswoman added:


“We have spoken and will continue a dialogue with our potential partners who are crucial to a success of this project and who will use the facilities in the future. Non disclosure agreements are in place with potential customers. Discussions have also taken place with funding partners and there is a good opportunity to secure funding contribution to our Dover project, which fits with the wider East Kent regeneration agenda. “We will continue to speak to


the community, stakeholders and customers to outline all the milestones that need to be achieved. A project of this scale and delivery of


this shared


vision will require careful consideration and input from various partners.”


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