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Multimodal 2017 Daily Issue 2 - Freight Business Journal


///NEWS


Brexit and beyond: FTA seminars and workshops


The Freight Transport Association’s members move goods all over the world, often using more than one mode of transport to reach their destination. The complexities of these operations require a great deal of expertise and members often call on FTA for up-to-date advice and information in this ever- changing environment. The Association’s day of


workshops and seminars at this year’s Multimodal will explore many of the issues currently affecting shippers and freight operators, which are all overshadowed by Brexit and its impact on the ability to move goods freely throughout Europe and beyond. Last year’s sessions were ‘standing room only’ and FTA is once again taking a lead role at the event at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre on Wednesday 5 April. FTA’s seminars have become


a central feature of Multimodal, unique in not only bringing customers, suppliers and intermediaries together, but providing attendees with details of new regulatory requirements, best practice in the field of intermodal


freight and game-changing logistics innovations and technical and legal know- how. This is all delivered by FTA’s team of experienced and internationally-renowned freight policy experts together with leading freight industry practitioners. Britain’s exit from the EU


is on everyone’s mind and FTA’s Brexit seminar will provide delegates with a comprehensive A to Z of its implications for importers, exporters and all those involved in moving freight to and from the UK, as well as the potential implications for future customs procedures. With the prospect of Britain leaving the EU Customs Union, shippers and transport operators are potentially faced with a completely new set


of customs rules and


documentary requirements. Following FTA’s hugely


successful ‘Keep Britain Trading’ conference in London on 15 March, the seminar session will help attendees to consider the practical implications of Brexit and think about what the impact will be on their businesses, including future resources, staff skill


sets to deal with Britain’s new trading arrangements and potential training needs. Highly efficient air freight


and sea freight services to and from Britain’s overseas markets will be more important than ever post Brexit. This is particularly true of the emerging and developing markets in Asia, the Indian sub- continent and South America. With greater Government


emphasis on increasing UK exports to these markets, FTA has put together three sessions critical


to the UK’s


international connectivity and competitiveness if the opportunities for expansion into these markets are to be fully exploited.


These sessions cover: The need for additional runway capacity at Heathrow Airport, the UK’s main international air freight hub and gateway. Heathrow needs to invest in new air freight infrastructure to up its game in providing shippers and the air freight community with state- of-the-art air freight systems and transit


times to match


those currently provided competitors such as Schiphol


airport in Amsterdam Steps being taken by


the air cargo industry to improve quality standards to enhance the reliability and predictability of air cargo, and speed up air cargo throughout the supply chain Whether the mega-ships


business model is delivering the


kind of services and


quality standards demanded by customers, as overall carrier return on investment continues to plummet and the container shipping market consolidates into a dwindling number of large carriers joining together in alliances on the main trade haul routes such as the Asia-Europe and Trans-


Improving the image of logistics


The transport industry does not have the most glamorous image. The general public’s perception is, unfortunately, that it is a bit ‘rough and ready’, and this, however inaccurate, is unlikely to attract the brightest and the best candidates that are needed to drive the industry forward. David Doolan, director of Brackley-based Xclusive Recruitment, believes that the national industry associations and carriers need to continue to work together to improve the image of the sector. “We all know that if a teenager is asked whether they would be interested in a career in the transport sector, it is very unlikely that they would respond with the comment:


‘Wow! I want to have a career in pallet, express parcels or logistics!’ They may consider that a role in the transport industry would best be summed up by the two words – ‘lorry driver’. It is vitally important for the industry to change this perception,” comments Doolan. To attract school leavers, graduates and candidates from other industries to join this expanding


sector, the image


of the transport and logistics needs to change. With


its


broad spectrum of business facets, from IT systems and technological developments, customer service, sales, infrastructure, HR, sales and marketing, a dynamic,


the sector challenging


offers and


vibrant career choice. “At the moment, candidates do not automatically search for a career in logistics, so it would be a very positive and necessary step if we could find a way of making the industry more attractive. We want and need people to aspire to join it rather than fall into it by accident or coincidence,” adds Doolan. Kevin Buchanan, Pall-Ex Group managing director, supports David Doolan’s comments: “Logistics isn’t just about driving a lorry, and we need to educate the younger generation about the wide variety of roles and opportunities available within the sector. “Pall-Ex


has supported the RHA’s annual ‘Love the Lorry’


campaign since its inception in 2015; which focuses on why different people within the industry love the sector. Our staff got involved and shared their favourite aspects of working within logistics, as well as their outstanding career achievements. The campaign really highlighted to everyone, myself included, the breadth of different people within Pall-Ex who have been essential to the network’s success.” Kevin Buchanan concludes:


“I


would welcome a joint initiative to showcase this brilliant industry and to give bright futures to the people that join it.” Doolan continues: “The industry is very much one which you either love or hate;


Pacific trades Speakers include Nick Platts,


Head of Air Cargo at Heathrow Airport, who will outline details of


the airport’s £180


million air freight investment plans and how, through engagement with the air cargo industry and leading shippers, Heathrow will speed-up dwell times to match those of world class performing airports such as Singapore and Schiphol. And Jonas Van Stekelenburg, head of air cargo at Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport, will outline show Schiphol secured its pre- eminent position as mainland Europe’s number one freight hub. The Global Shippers’ Forum’s


someone might join it for three to six months – and then find that it just doesn’t suit them. But a great deal of problems result from a lack of understanding of the industry and the vast array of careers it provides. “In my opinion, the industry should be more proactive in its approach and focus on actively selling itself and promoting its image as a collective group. It would be ideal if we had a forum representing the industry working together, investing resource into this essential process,” he said. “If the industry is seen to be more proactive in its approach, clients will be better able to understand the added value that the transport industry can provide, and will hopefully be prepared to pay a more representative fee for the service.” Doolan is calling on the FTA,


recently published paper on mega-ships will form the basis of FTA’s Mega-ships and Alliances session, focusing on their wider implications on ports and the supply chain. Other sessions will explore the future of rail freight, inland waterways and final mile logistics and new container weight rules. Full details of seminars and


speakers can be seen at http:// www.fta.co.uk/events/FTA- at-Multimodal-2017.html and FTA’s experts will be available throughout the event on stand 4110 to answer questions and offer advice. FTA is also the sponsor for the FTA Multimodal Awards.


RHA, CILT, and other industry bodies


to continue to work


together to actively promote transport as a career option and as an exciting industry, to further build upon the “Love the Lorry” campaign and other similar initiatives. “This would support the recruitment industry in its role of identifying and attracting the quality people we so desperately need. “If we


take this collective


approach, and market the transport industry with a theme, a slogan and a campaign to present it as the 21st Century, fast-paced, technology-led service that it is, we can recruit and attract the essential quality people with the right skill sets, background and experience to develop the industry and respond to the needs of the increasingly dynamic market.”


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