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Free access to information on ports and sailing


BIFA understands that various sources are making their information portals free to use at this unprecedented time in order to assist in the continued movement of goods in the supply chain. Details of two such offerings are given below.


BIMCO offers free information on ports As the coronavirus pandemic (Covid-19) continues to spread across different parts of the world, BIMCO is opening the port information section on its website with the aim of assisting the industry. The port information section on BIMCO’s website


consists of information obtained through publicly available sources and intelligence provided by local members, as well as information purchased from IHS Markit. By using various sources, BIMCO can provide a


detailed picture of the operative practicalities of individual ports, regions, states and countries. The modules included in the port information database depend on the administrative level. For national and regional/state level, the most


frequently used modules are: • Taxes and tariffs; • Restrictions and sanctions; • Environment.


At port level, the most frequently used modules are: • Information, • Access and navigation, • Facilities. Users will find the relevant holidays at all levels,


which are frequently updated according to the latest available information. It is not unusual that charterers and owners agree to be guided by the BIMCO Holiday Calendar in order to avoid doubt over what is considered a holiday under the charter party. To access the port information, go to the ‘Ships,


ports and voyage planning’ section and use the orange search bar to find the country, region or port you are enquiring about. (Source: BIMCO)


Free blank sailings database for shippers and forwarders Due to the rapidly developing COVID-19 crisis situation, container shipping freight data aggregator Ocean Insights is now offering its dynamic database of blank sailings to shippers and forwarders free of charge. The system is able to detect cancellations and blank sailings in advance, and could be helpful given the unusually high number of blank sailings. To receive a daily updated list of blank sailings


(covering the top three alliances – 2M Alliance, THE Alliance and Ocean Alliance), you can sign up to Ocean Insight’s Liner Newsletter at https://mailchi.mp/ocean- insights.com/blank-sailing-updates Source: Clecat Newsletter 12, 27 March 2020


Notice of Annual General Meeting


Notice is hereby given that the 31st Annual General Meeting of the British International Freight Association (BIFA) will be held will be held by Zoom video conference on Thursday 28 May (time to be advised) in order to: 1. Receive the report of the Board of Directors.


2. Receive the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2019 and the report of the auditors thereon.


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3. Appoint auditors and authorise the Board to fix their remuneration.


4. In accordance with the Association’s Articles to note and approve the election of officers of the Association.


5. Transact any other business that may properly be transacted at an Annual General Meeting. Robert Keen, Director General 31 March 2020


A BIFA Member may nominate an attendee although there will be a limit on numbers once a quorum is achieved. Please email r.keen@bifa.org


Note: Any Member entitled to vote at the above meeting may appoint a proxy to vote on a poll in his stead. A proxy need not be a Member of the Association. A form of proxy is available to download from the BIFA website www.bifa.org


www.bifa.org


EC guidelines on implementation of ‘green lanes’


The European Commission issued practical advice in March on how to implement its guidelines for border management, in order to keep freight moving across the EU during the Covid-19 pandemic. The aim is to ensure that goods


cross the border in under 15 minutes, that priority lanes are opened for transport of all goods, that national government restrictions on transport are suspended and that administrative procedures are reduced for transport workers of all nationalities. Three objectives are in focus:


1) Green lane border crossings, 2) Enhanced cooperation among EU member states and,


3) The application of rules for transport workers. The release includes a full list of


recommendations to protect drivers from the coronavirus (Annex 2). Further information follows concerning internationally recognised certificates of professional competences, which the Commission argues should be considered sufficient to prove that a worker is active in international transport. In the absence of such certificates, a letter signed by the employer (Annex 3) should be accepted. CLECAT indicated that it was


pleased with the practical guidelines and encouraged member associations to urge implementation at national level. While some measures had already been introduced by member states, such as the relaxation of driving and rest time rules in road transport, CLECAT noted that some issues still need to be addressed by the Commission, such as the possibility of delayed payment of customs duties. The full guidance on the


implementation of the ‘green lanes’ can be found at www.clecat.org/media/2020-03- 23-communication-green- lanes_en.pdf


May 2020


Courtesy of the Port of Felixstowe


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