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Issue 5 2014 - Freight Business Journal Sixteen sixes for Attrans


Leading Maltese haulier Attrans is acquiring 16 new Volvo FH Euro 6 trucks over the next few months. The


new 460HP tractor units offer higher torque, a more powerful engine brake, and quieter operation, but with


no increase in emissions or fuel consumption. They will operate from depots in Europe, Morocco and Tunisia.


///NEWS


We’re not ready for security scheme, say US forwarders


The US freight industry is calling on the Federal government to allow more input from freight forwarders, especially small and medium-sized operators, before expanding the Air Cargo Advanced Screening (ACAS) program. The program to risk-assess


US airfreight industry welcomes end to blanket screening


The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) has welcomed the US Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA’s) decision to liſt requirements for ‘volume’ air cargo screening reports in favour of a more risk- based approach. Aſter the 9/11 terrorist attack, the


US Government’ required 100% of all cargo on passenger aircraſt into and out of US airports to be physically screened. However, TSA says now that it will no longer require the industry to provide air cargo screening volume reporting, a requirement which TIACA warned last autumn was putting strain on the industry. TIACA secretary general, Doug Brittin (pictured), said that


regular and ongoing inspections of industry’s cargo screening processes made the reports unnecessary, and suggested the personnel and IT resources could be better deployed. He added: “All passenger


carriers, and over 1,200 certified freight forwarders and shippers in the US, have been required to measure and provide these reports monthly. We applaud this move as a positive step towards adopting a risk-based approach versus forensic compliance.” Brandon Fried, of the US


Airforwarders’ Association also welcomed the decision, saying: “The requirement was extremely time-consuming and posed an unnecessary burden on freight


advance data on inbound air shipments to the US is currently in pilot phase, but US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has signalled that it intends to


expand it to apply to all inbound air cargo. However, the Airforwarders’


Association, the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America, The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) and the Express Delivery and Logistics Association have jointly written to CBP and the Transportation Security Administration saying that, while they support ACAS’s risk-based analysis at shipment


level in principle, some issues have not been fully resolved at the pilot stage. The letter asks for further


meetings between agencies and representatives to discuss their concerns. Other issues are differing


global standards and the fact that not all countries of origin allow forwarders to screen cargo. It also calls for rules to determine when additional high risk screening will be performed.


Airline bosses call for probe into Middle East ‘takeovers’


forwarders involved in the program with no apparent benefit to security. Alleviating this burden will not only make the screening process more efficient but could encourage companies that may have been avoided the program in the past due to the reporting requirement to now join.”


Another stay of execution for Russian TIR


Russia’s Federal Customs Service told the Russian guaranteeing association, ASMAP on 30 June that it would extend the TIR agreement until 30 November. The agreement had been set to expire on 1 July. However, the International Road Transport Union


(IRU)


said that, due to the very late announcement and lack of information, there could still be problems at border crossing points in Russia. Russia’s move followed a


meeting on 24 June between officials from the Ministry of Transport, Customs and other Russian authorities, chaired by the First Deputy Prime Minister. Earlier, the International Road Transport Union (IRU) has warned


Russian president Vladimir Putin that it would be legally obliged to stop issuing TIR carnets to Russian transport operators if no progress was achieved in fully reinstating the TIR procedure at


all entry


points into Russia by 1 July. IRU also warned that it would have to invalidate an estimated 70,000 Russian TIR Carnets already in circulation, which would prevent Russian operators from performing transport operations under TIR in any country. Earlier, the IRU appointed


Dmitry Cheltsov as general delegate to lead its permanent representation to Eurasia in Moscow, and to help strengthen its team team to meet the challenge posed by the dismemberment of the TIR transit system. Highly


experienced in transport and customs issues in Russia and in the CIS region, Mr Cheltsov worked 12 years for TNT Express Worldwide (CIS) at various management levels, and most recently as country sales and marketing director. He has also been chairman of the Customs and Transport Committee of the Association of European Businesses (AEB) in the Russian Federation for many years, as well as a member of the coordination council for optimizing procedures for foreign trade and transit flows in


the State Duma Transport


Committee. Mr Cheltsov replaces Dmitry


Larionov, who has held the position of IRU General Delegate to Eurasia since June 2013.


The heads of Luſthansa, KLM-Air France, Brussels Airlines, Austrian Airlines and Swiss International Air Lines wrote to the European Commission on 17 June, to raise concerns over Abu Dhabi-based Etihad’s investments in European airlines. It follows Etihad’s move to take a stake in ailing flag carrier Alitalia. The airline chiefs told transport


commissioner Siim Kallas and competition commissioner Joaquin Almunia that investments are being made by companies from states that “seem largely to ignore the principles of fair competition applicable in the European Union”. The Commission has in fact recently opened a preliminary investigation into Etihad’s shares


in Air Berlin and Swiss-based Darwin Airlines (since renamed Etihad Regional) in January aſter Etihad acquired 33% of its capital. On 25 June, Alitalia and Etihad


Airways confirmed that they had agreed main terms and conditions for the Middle East carrier to take a 49% stake in the Italian airline, subject to final regulatory approvals.


UAE to introduce TIR


The UAE is to introduce the TIR System across its territory, following the signing of a guarantee agreement in Abu Dhabi on 24 June. Dubai and Abu Dhabi customs will benefit initially; similar agreements with the remaining five Emirates


are expected to follow in coming months. The International Road


Transport Union (IRU) said transport times and costs across the region would be reduced, including through the ports of Abu


Dhabi and Dubai. Electronic pre- declarations to customs, real-time traceability of TIR carnets and efficient risk management would also help make border procedures faster, more secure and user- friendly.


Anti cabotage coalition forms


A group of 11 EU member states, led by the French and including Denmark Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain - but not the UK - signed a declaration against ‘social dumping’ in road transport in Europe at a meeting on the fringes of the 5 June Transport Council in Luxembourg. They asked the Commission to


consider illegal practices such as the use of ‘letter box companies’ by Western firms to replace their drivers with East European ones, effective action to ensure that employees working outside their home country have the same rights as those of the host country and the development of minimum social standards in road transport. They


Black Sea service for Tilbury


CMA CGM’s FEMEX weekly service to the Mediterranean will start calls at the Port of Tilbury’s London Container Terminal from 9 July. According to the port, it is the only shipping line offering a direct service into the Black Sea.The route serves Tanger Med in Morocco,


Malta, Gemlik, Istanbul Ambarli, Istanbul Haydarpasa and Samsun, all in Turkey. LCT is already served by CMA CGM’s Round the World Panama Direct, the West African HEBDO service,


the Australian


NEMO service and the French Guiana North Brazil service.


also called on the Commission to refrain from further liberalisation of road cabotage until social and labour conditions are more harmonised. The ten signatories could


create a blocking minority to any Commission proposal to open up cabotage.


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