FIATA e-Flash No. 208 – 10 September 2019

FIATA AND MEMBERS

FIATA WORLD CONGRESS 2019

The FIATA 2019 Registration Team is ready and waiting to facilitate your Congress Participation.

Only 32 days until FIATA 2019 in Cape Town! Have you registered to attend? Here’s a reminder of why you won’t want to miss FIATA 2019.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BycLSY74zbQ&feature=youtu.be

CONGRESS REGISTRATION – SIGN UP TO ATTEND AND BOOK YOUR HOTEL

Registration rates increase as much as $115 after 1 September so register right away to qualify for the Standard Rates.

www.fiata2019.org.za

New ICC Incoterms 2020 to be Released Autumn 2019

When hearing the word Incoterms ® most people will immediately think FOB, CIF etc., however these are actually traditional trade terms that have been in existence for many years. In 1936 the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) launched the first edition of Incoterms ® to create rules around traditional trading terms and define the responsibilities of buyers and sellers for the delivery of goods under sales contracts. There were revisions in 1953, 1967 and 1976 before the fifth edition was launched in 1980. Since then a new edition of Incoterms ® has followed every decade.

ICC Incoterms® are changing. ICC Incoterms® 2020 will be released in autumn 2019. ICC Incoterms® are relevant for everyone dealing with sales contracts and the movement of goods including goods traders (importers and exporters), logistics companies, trade financiers, insurers, shippers, freight forwarders, law firms, consultants and advisers. FIATA has made comments on the proposed changes in the 2020 edition although in the drafts that we have seen, the amendments are marginal compared to 2010 and will not affect freight forwarders current understanding too much.

The ICC warns users to be wary of anything other than official ICC guidance; relying on information found online is a major cause of incorrect usage of Incoterms®, with adverse consequences for businesses and their insurers. FIATA recommends awaiting the official release in October before finalising any plans to adapt to the new rules.

We will of course provide full information to FIATA Members when the final draft is released. Copies of the new edition can be pre-ordered from your national ICC Bookshop.

More funds for UK post-Brexit customs training, but it’s not enough, says BIFA

The effectiveness of a new round of funding announced this week by the UK government to train staff to make customs declarations has been called into question by representatives of the freight industry.

This week, the UK Treasury announced an extra £16m in funds to train staff to make customs declarations that are likely to be increase dramatically after Brexit takes place. The announcement followed £8m made available last December and another £8m round announced in July.

For more details, please visit: https://theloadstar.com/more-funds-for-uk-post-brexit-customs-training-but-its-not-enough-says-bifa/?utm_source=The+Loadstar+daily+email&utm_campaign=42d623ec4e-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_09_05_12_06&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c4570e43d4-42d623ec4e-131854261

FIATA Participates in 3rd Annual Global Logistics Convention – Rwanda

Rwanda will continue to deepen reforms in the logistics sector as it aims to cut costs that undermine the country’s competitiveness, Claver Gatete, the Minister of Infrastructure, emphasized Thursday while opening the Global Logistics Convention2019 in Kigali where FIATA was present.

This, he said, is central to the Government’s agenda of putting the private sector at the center of transformation, which is contained in the national strategy for transformation.

For more details, please visit: https://www.newtimes.co.rw/news/rwanda-aims-reduce-cost-logistics

 

WORLD ECONOMY

How office supply giant Staples is pivoting towards the logistics market

Kevin Lewis, Supply Chain Director at Staples UK, outlines how the office supply behemoth is proving to be a world-class contender in the logistics market.

When consumers think of Staples, they might recall the company’s famous office essentials. From its ink and toner to its office furniture, the firm is renowned as a world-class, multi-channel retailer. However, after selling off its retail business in the UK, Staples is pivoting towards a new market: the world of third-party logistics (3PL).

For more details, please visit: https://www.supplychaindigital.com/company/how-office-supply-giant-staples-pivoting-towards-logistics-market#

NASA issues call for proposals for Gateway logistics

NASA formally issued a call for proposals to provide cargo transportation services for its lunar Gateway Aug. 16, offering up to $7 billion in contracts to support operations of the human-tended facility.

The Gateway Logistics Services request for proposals (RFP) is similar to a draft version of the RFP issued by the agency in June. Proposals are due to NASA Oct. 1, with the agency expected to award one or more contracts before the end of the calendar year.

Leading into the 2019 FIATA’s World Congress in Cape Town this October, the event will host Wes Harris, Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics from MIT, who will help unlock further insights into space cargo as this shift from being demanded on a one-off basis into a regularly demanded outcome.

For more details, please visit: https://spacenews.com/nasa-issues-call-for-proposals-for-gateway-logistics/

Transport and logistics transformation driven by data

More than a third of transport and logistics executives believe that robotic process automation (RPA) will bring about the biggest change in their industry in the next decade. Almost a quarter (24%) expect that artificial intelligence (AI) will fundamentally change the transport and logistics sector.

The survey of 100 transport and logistics executives for co-location company Digital Reality found that nine in 10 respondents (91%) are continually looking to increase their investment in their data infrastructure. More than a fifth (22%) are reserving between £10m and £50m of their budget for innovation and progression of data connectivity.

We hear it often that data is the new oil and that the one who possess this commodity will be best positioned in the market to win. FIATA members, being those closest to shippers, will be tasked with the difficulty of protecting their clients data meanwhile balancing the need to share certain data points to ensure their partners can adequately carry out the transport of their clients goods.

For more details, please visit: https://www.computerweekly.com/news/252468877/Transport-and-logistics-transformation-driven-by-data

 

SEA FREIGHT

Abu Dhabi Ports highlights emerging trends in trade at 4th Annual Partners’ Forum

The research conducted by Abu Dhabi Ports showed that more than 70% of respondents believe that these sectors in the GCC are more prepared to incorporate automation and smart solutions compared to the global industry; it also confirmed that blockchain technology, the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence are the top three innovations shaping the trade and logistics sectors.

The state visit to China by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces has cemented trade ties between the two countries, says Falah Mohammad Al Ahbabi, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Ports.

For more details, please visit: https://www.logisticsmiddleeast.com/business/33425-abu-dhabi-ports-chairman-says-china-state-visit-cements-ties

New fuel to get sea freight environmentally shipshape

Tens of thousands of cargo ships will have to start using less polluting fuels in January, a boon for the environment that could however lead to higher bills for consumers. The International Maritime Organisation decided in 2016 that the sulphur levels in fuels for ships would have to fall to 0.5 per cent in 2020, compared to 3.5 per cent currently.

The easiest option for many is to switch to new fuels with low sulphur content or marine diesel oil. The International Energy Agency said recently that the oil products market is heading for its “largest ever transformation” as refiners “will need to adapt to a new demand landscape”.

FIATA asks policy makers to not only focus on enacting legislation that will set GHG target emissions for which the industry must remain compliant. But to look at the glass half full and enact policy that would enable infrastructure development, technological research, and tracking procedures leading to enhanced connectivity and efficient transport operations that would in turn stimulate economic growth. Further details can be found in our position here.

For more details, please visit: https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/ocean-transportation-intermediaries-u-s-18210/

How Hurricane Dorian could impact ocean shipping

As Hurricane Dorian barrels towards Florida’s Atlantic coast and threatens to make landfall as an extremely dangerous Category 4 storm, a number of key consequences loom for ocean shipping.

The storm has the potential to alter shipping services in multiple markets, in some cases for short periods, in others longer term. Fallout could be felt in four main areas: container transshipment, international mainline box services to and from Florida, regional cargo services to the Caribbean and tanker shipping.

For more details, please visit: https://www.freightwaves.com/news/how-hurricane-dorian-could-impact-ocean-shipping

 

AIR FREIGHT

Express air dominates as pathway for counterfeit goods

More than 90% of merchandise seizures for intellectual property rights violations for the fiscal year ending September 2018 were in the express consignment and international mail environment, according to the latest statistics released this month by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Air express facilities accounted for $549.2 million of the $1.4 billion in fake goods confiscated, while another $197.3 million worth of copycat goods were intercepted at the nation’s five international mail centers, the agency reported.

Read more at https://www.freightwaves.com/news/express-air-dominates-as-pathway-for-counterfeit-goods

Elanders and Dimerco enter into a joint venture for air and sea

The Taiwan-based global transportation and logistics specialist Dimerco acquires a 25 percent stake in Elanders’ newly founded subsidiary, ITG Air & Sea GmbH. The business in the new subsidiary mainly stems from Elanders’ subsidiary ITG’s air & sea freight forwarding business, which in 2018 had a turnover of some EUR 74 million. Dimerco also has the option to increase its stake to 49 percent after two years. T

This joint venture between Elanders and Dimerco is still subject to the approval of the responsible anti-trust authorities and planned closing date is January 1st, 2020. Both companies signed the agreement on September 3rd 2019.

Multimodal transport is a regular occurrence for FIATA members who deal with end to end transport of their clients goods. Providing additional options for FIATA members to work with partners who combine multiple modes of transport is an opportunity to provide better service to the end client.

For more details, please visit: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2019/09/03/1910212/0/en/Elanders-and-Dimerco-enter-into-a-joint-venture-for-air-and-sea-freight-forwarding-business.html

 

RAIL AND ROAD FREIGHT

ATA Freight Forecast Predicts 25.6% Growth by 2030

Freight tonnage is projected to increase 25.6% by 2030 according to American Trucking Associations’ Freight Transportation Forecast: 2019 to 2030. Annual tonnage is expected to grow to more than 20.5 billion tons by 2030, and with it, revenue is expected to jump almost 54% to $1.6 trillion.

While tonnage is slotted to surge in the industry, its market share is projected to dip below 69% by 2030. Trucking accounts for 71.1% of this year’s total freight tonnage movement in the U.S.

For more details, please visit: https://www.ttnews.com/articles/ata-freight-forecast-predicts-256-growth-2030

Protection for flights and road transport after Brexit reaffirmed

Today (5 September 2019), the government can confirm details of measures that ensure flights and road haulage will continue to run smoothly after the UK leaves the EU on 31 October, whatever the circumstances.

The move comes as the EU finalises its post 31 October aviation regulation that will continue to protect UK airlines flying into Europe. Both the UK and the EU’s actions will ensure continued confidence for passengers across the continent as they travel on their holidays or conduct business in the year ahead.

For more details, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/protection-for-flights-and-road-transport-after-brexit-reaffirmed

 

INNOVATIONS

Reefknot Investments launches $50 million fund to invest in logistics

Reefknot Investments, a joint venture between Temasek, Singapore’s sovereign fund, and global logistics company Kuehne + Nagel, announced today the launch of a $50 million fund for logistics and supply chain startups. The firm is based in Singapore, but will look for companies around the world that are raising their Series A or B rounds.

Managing director Marc Dragon tells TechCrunch that Reefknot will serve as a strategic investor in its portfolio companies, providing them with connections to partners that include EDBI, SGInnovate, Atlantic Bridge, Vertex Ventures, PSA unBoXed, Unilever Foundry and NUS Enterprise, in addition to Temasek and Kuehne + Nagel .

For more details, please visit: https://techcrunch.com/2019/09/04/reefknot-investments-launches-50-million-fund-to-invest-in-logistics-and-supply-chain-startups/

IBM-Maersk Logistics Blockchain to Be Used by Thai Customs Agency

The Bangkok Post reported Thursday that the Customs Department of Thailand will adopt TradeLens, the logistics platform jointly supported by IBM and Maersk as part of the country’s Thailand 4.0 policy. Thailand will be the second member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to use the platform, following Singapore.

The customs department opened conversations with TradeLens represents last October, three months after the platform launched. It will first be implemented at a Chon Buri port, and later in Bangkok, the report said.

FIATA will be hosting Dee Waddell, Global Trade Director at IBM, at our upcoming World Congress in Cape Town. This will be a prime opportunity to gather his insights into the future of such blockchain technologies interacting with the logistics providers and other key stakeholders in the supply chain.

For more details, please visit: https://www.coindesk.com/ibm-maersk-logistics-blockchain-to-be-used-by-thai-customs-department

Self-driving truck startup Kodiak Robotics begins deliveries in Texas

A year after coming out of stealth mode with $40 million, self-driving truck startup Kodiak Robotics will begin making its first commercial deliveries in Texas. Kodiak will open a new facility in North Texas to support its freight operations along with increased testing in the state.

There are some caveats to the milestone. Kodiak’s self-driving trucks will have a human safety driver behind the wheel. And it’s unclear how significant this initial launch is; the company didn’t provide details on who its customers are or what it will be hauling.

For more details, please visit: https://techcrunch.com/2019/08/06/self-driving-truck-startup-kodiak-robotics-begin-deliveries-in-texas/