www.bifa.org


Robert Keen’s Column


BIFAlink


BIFAlink is the official magazine of the British International Freight Association Redfern House, Browells Lane, Feltham TW13 7EP Tel: 020 8844 2266 Web site: www.bifa.org E-mail: bifa@bifa.org (A company limited by guarantee. Registered in England: 391973. VAT Registration: 216476363)


Director General Robert Keen r.keen@bifa.org Executive Director Robert Windsor r.windsor@bifa.org Executive Director Spencer Stevenson s.stevenson@bifa.org Policy & Compliance Advisor Mike Jones m.jones@bifa.org Policy & Compliance Advisor Pawel Jarza p.jarza@bifa.org Training Development Manager Carl Hobbis c.hobbis@bifa.org Editorial Co-ordinator Sharon Hammond s.hammond@bifa.org


Published by Park Lane Publishing peter@parklanepublishingltd.com Contributors Robert Keen, Robert Windsor, Mike Jones, Spencer Stevenson, Carl Hobbis, Sharon Hammond, Pawel Jarza


Regional Consultants to BIFA Scotland and the Borders Len Hobbs: bifa.scot@gmail.com Northern Ireland Carson McMullan: carsonconluce@aol.com Midlands and the North Paul Young: youngyes@aol.com London West and the South West Mike Jones: m.jones@bifa.org


Anglia, London East and the South East Paul Newman: paul@pnauk.com


Please be advised that BIFA DOES NOT OFFER LEGAL ADVICE. BIFA is not a law firm and the authors of this publication are not legally qualified and do not have any legal training. The guidance and assistance set out herein are based on BIFA’s own experience with the issues concerned and should not be in any circumstances regarded or relied upon as legal advice. It is strongly recommended that anyone considering further action based on the information contained in this publication should seek the advice of a qualified professional.


February 2020


Awards attract a record attendance


My thanks to everyone who attended the annual BIFA Awards Lunch in January. Well done to the winners, and again it was great to see so many young people on stage in both the Apprentice of the Year and Young Freight Forwarder of the year categories. My apologies to you all for the tight squeeze but we had a record attendance and whilst there are bigger venues in London, The Brewery has been our event home for over 30 years and is often complimented as being an ideal location. Remember to book early for the awards next year.


Like many trade bodies in the logistics sector we support the charity Transaid. Many BIFA Members are either Corporate Members or support it on an ad hoc basis. This


year at the awards we again raised money for Transaid and we encourage BIFA Members to look at the website transaid.org for opportunities to sponsor or support its work. It can be a sponsored cycle ride or marathon that Transaid will assist with, or simply buy a water bottle from Ligentia who have embraced Transaid with their ‘Neat’ scheme. Again, click on the Transaid website for more information.


As I write, government grants for Brexit-related training are nearing an end. Our online Customs Declaration Course will of course continue to be offered, although we anticipate lower demand without the funding. Whilst Brexit has been on the forefront of everyone’s mind for the past three years ‘the next big thing’ has been building momentum slowly and it is our view that 2020 will see a massive focus on emissions and the impact of transportation on climate change. Over the past five years in the EU and the USA, greenhouse-gas emissions have risen consistently. Freight accounts for almost half of such emissions so there could be operational restrictions and taxation disincentives on the horizon. It is easy to be cynical about consumers that talk the talk and then buy unethically, but we have already seen the Extinction Rebellion movement take centre stage in calling for change and it seems many governments are taking the issue very seriously.


Of course, as intermediaries, freight forwarders are often in a difficult position with customers when passing on shipping line charges. There is no common forum for forwarders to make representation to the shipping lines as we have in the airfreight sector where IATA and FIATA have regular dialogue. We continue to highlight, both through our own press releases and through FIATA, the disparity between surcharges levied.


Our Young Forwarder Network is progressing well thanks to BIFA Members giving up their time and sponsoring events. The enthusiasm shown by the participants is really encouraging and we hope to spread this initiative further. We have to concentrate on port communities to get momentum, but we are aware there are BIFA Members across the UK so we are working on ideas to spread the network further.


Sad news towards the end of last year with the passing of Peter Lole. Peter founded the insurance broker firm that bears his name in 1979 and for many years assisted BIFA as a member of our Legal and Insurance Policy Group. He also sponsored the launch of our Standard Trading Conditions training course. A lovely man, always ready to help us with insurance problems.


Robert Keen Director General


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