HAFFA highlights actions to take advantage of economic downturn

HONGKONG Association of Freight Forwarding and Logistics Limited (HAFFA) chairman Walther Nahr is calling for closer cooperation in the wake of the challenges currently facing the logistics industry.

According to Mr Nahr there are no miracle solutions, but possibilities exist to turn challenges into opportunities, he said in a speech to the association's annual spring dinner at the Hong Kong Exhibition Centre on March 20.

Mr Nahr, of AGI Logistics (Hong Kong) Limited, emphasised HAFFA's commitment to serving the industry and meeting the challenges in order to capitalise on each opportunity, a HAFFA statement said.

To highlight HAFFA's work during 2008, members noted that the association has undertaken several educational projects over the last year. In July 2008, HAFFA, with approval from the Civil Aviation Department, developed a self-learning and examination package on Dangerous Goods Awareness (DGA) for air cargo personnel. The objective is to assist the industry fulfil the legal requirements on DGA training.

A significant education project has been the production of a training video for the Unit Load Device (ULD) build-up. HAFFA has partnered with Carrier Liaison Group (CLG) to jointly develop basic guidelines to enhance the proper build-up of pre-packed and heavy cargo.

Another major training initiative has been the cooperation between HAFFA and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), with funding from the LOGSCOUNCIL, to develop a vocational training programme in air and sea freight, which focuses both on knowledge and technical skills.

HAFFA supports the Hong Kong Government in the development of the electronic system for customs clearance of road cargo (ROCARS) as a means towards facilitating transhipment cargo, which involves intermodal transfer from land to air or sea. The ROCARS system is in its final stage of development, with training seminars scheduled for mid-2009.

Also underway are measures to boost the volume of shipments adopting e-process. Cathay Pacific has proposed establishing a Hong Kong best practice model, following the first wave of the IATA e-freight pilot implementation in 2007. Twenty-six airports around the world have reportedly gone live under efreight as of February 2009.

Mr. Nahr believes that the Association's plans would bring benefits to the industry, Change is critical for our industry in 2009. I hope you will join us as we continue to work together to analyse the state of the industry, discuss its issues, maximise opportunities, and demonstrate that the freight logistics industry is truly an important engine of economic development.

Source: Transportweekly