SLFFA DGR Training Program 2012
The Sri Lanka Freight Forwarders’ Association, the apex body representing the freight forwarding industry in Sri Lanka, conducted its annual Dangerous Good Regulations (DGR) training and Dangerous Goods Regulations Refresher training courses for the twelfth consecutive time, from 16th to the 20th January 2012, at the Galle Face Hotel, Colombo.
This international training program was once again organized in collaboration with the Australian Federation of International Forwarders (AFIF), an IATA approved training facility, which has a wealth of experience and expertise in conducting international training programs on freight forwarding in Australia as well as in countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
Both the courses were once again conducted by Mr. Bob Rogers, who has more than 30 years experience with the AFIF as a Master Trainer in Freight Forwarding. Mr. Rogers has conducted several training programs for SLFFA members during the past several years. Some of the training programs conducted include the Basic & Advanced Airfreight courses and the DGR programs conducted annually for the last 11 years.
There were 33 participants registered for the Full Course while 26 registered for the Refresher course.
SLFFA Organizes Asycuda World Training Seminar II
SLFFA organized another Training Seminar on 12th January 2012 at the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, ground floor
Auditorium, conducted by the Sri Lanka Customs on the ASYCUDA WORLD program. Due to the high demand following its
previous training seminar held in November 2012 on the same subject matter, the Association organized this Seminar for the benefit of the entire Import/Export industry.
The planned total implementation of E-Manifesting and E-Cusdec submission by SLC is expected to commence from 01st
February 2012. This training program was aimed at providing in-depth knowledge of the preparation and submission of the
E-Manifest and E-Cusdec to the staff who are directly involved in this particular area.
This training program attracted a participation of approximately 210 participants from over 80 leading import/export companies.
SLFFA ORGANIZES FIRST ASYCUDA WORLD TRAINING SEMINAR
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SLFFA organized a Training Seminar on 25th Nov 2011 at Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Auditorium conducted by the Sri Lanka Customs on the ASYCUDA WORLD progam for the benefit of the membership in view of the planned total implementation of E-Manifesting and E-CUSDEC submission by SLC from 01st Jan 2012. This Training Seminar was the first of its kind organized with the aim of providing an in-depth knowledge of the preparation and submission of the E-Manifest & E-CUSDEC to the staff who are directly involved in SLFFA Member Companies.
The Training Seminar commenced with an introduction to the ASYCUDA WORLD program delivered by Mr. Ajantha Dias -Addl Director General of Customs followed by a comprehensive training conducted by Dr. Tharaka Mahaulpotha – Project Executive of SLC. A total of 127 participants attended this seminar. As a token of appreciation, SLFFA presented momentos to the SLC speakers at this seminar.
TRADE UPDATES
ICAO and FIATA announce new Dangerous Goods by Air Programme
The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Association (FIATA) have signed an agreement on a new ICAO/FIATA Dangerous Goods by Air Training Programme.
FIATA will offer a training programme to our members backed by ICAO’s vast technical knowledge and regulatory experience. The two organisations are also looking at extending their partnership to include air cargo security and to establish a related programme for freight forwarders in the near future. For more information please visit FIATA’s website: http://www.fiata.com/index.php?id=446
Insurance Industry’s response to Piracy
Piracy remains a daunting issue in the freight forwarding industry as in the last six months 32 ships have been seized by pirates and 19 are currently being held for ransom. Utilizing heavy weapon machinery, piracy is most evident off the coast of Somalia but attacks have also been spotted in the Gulf of Guinea, south East Asia and off the northern coasts of South America.
These attacks have led insurance companies to revisit their policies regarding piracy. Marsh, a worldwide insurance advisor, has prepared a white paper setting out the insurance implications of piracy that will apply in July 2011. The white paper discusses such issues as loss of damaged goods, payment of ransom, marine war, use of armed security etc. To view the white paper please visit: http://uk.marsh.com/Insights/Articles/ID/5056/Piracy-The-Insurance-Implications.aspx
SLFFA AGM 2011
The 30th Annual General Meeting of the Sri Lanka Freight Forwarders’ Association was held on 17th June 2011, at the Samudra Ballroom, Taj Samudra Hotel, Colombo. The Chief Guest for the occasion was Mr. Prasanna Wickramasuriya, Chairman, Airport & Aviations Services (SL) Ltd.
Mr. S. Mohanadas of Dart Global Logistics (Pvt) Ltd, was elected as the Chairman for the year 2011/2012, while Mr. Dushmantha Karannagoda of Marine Transport Services (Pvt) Ltd, and Ms. Tania Polonnowita of Hellmann Worldwide Logistics (Pvt) Ltd, were elected as Vice Chairman and Treasurer, respectively.
The Executive Committee elected for the year 2011/2012 are C.L. Synergy (Pvt) Ltd, DHL Global Forwarding Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, Expolanka Freight (Pvt) Ltd, Freight Systems Logistics Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, John Keells Logistics Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, Phoenix International Logistics Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, Speedmark Transportation Lanka (Pvt) Ltd.
CHAIRMAN’S SPEECH
Honoured Chief Guest Mr Prassana Wickramasuriya Chairman Airport Aviation Services Limited , Distinguished Invitees, Members of the Advisory Council, fellow members, ladies & gentlemen,
TRADE NEWS UPDATES
The United States Transportation Security Administration (TSA) decided not to proceed with their December 31, 2011 deadline for 100% screening of inbound cargo to the US
The TSA announced their decision on 4 October to not enforce their December 31st 2011 deadline for 100% screening of cargo on international passenger aircraft bound for the United States.
This decision was positively received by the entire air cargo industry including FIATA and its Airfreight Institute.
The U-turn was the consequence of TSA’s careful consideration of industry comments and a thorough examination of the unique challenges facing international cargo screening. TSA will continue to work towards meeting the statutory requirement for 100% screening but TSA representatives were optimistic that they will soon have agreements with nations that ship more than 90% of air cargo to the U.S. For more information on TSA 100% screening initiative please visit:
http://www.ifw-net.com/freightpubs/ifw/article.htm?artid=20017909532&src=rss
Danske Bank’s Freight Forwarding Index results for the month of September
According to Danske Bank’s Freight Forwarding Index, which was up to 53, from 46 in August, the European Freight Forwarding sector saw modest growth in September. Both sea and road freight saw an increase in volumes handled in September, indicating an increase in demand.
The air freight index also improved: although at 47, it indicates lower volumes handled in September than two months ago. The country breakdown for September saw Germany gain a significant increase in current volumes (42 in August to 69 in September), as well as expectations. The UK saw volumes remain almost flat and expectations decline while Switzerland saw a significant fall in both current volumes (57 in August to 40 in September) and expectations. For more information on Danske Bank’s Freight Forwarding Index and expectation please visit: http://www.ifw-net.com/freightpubs/ifw/index/modest-volume-growth-in-europe-last-month/20017908812.htm
SLFFA CRICKET SIXES 2011
The SLFFA Day/Night Six-A-Side Cricket Carnival was held on Saturday, 14th May 2011, at the NCC Grounds, Colombo .
A total of 48 teams from the membership entered the tournament and played their matches under 16 Groups, the winners of each group advanced to the pre-quarter finals and after some fiercely contested games Toll Global, DHL Warriors, Mccallum and Del Warriors, qualified for the semi finals and DHL Warriors and McCallum won their respective matches to reach the finals.
The finals started well after midnight, still the teams displayed their utmost skills and energy in the finals, we also witnessed a very vibrant crowd even at that time of the hour enjoying the matches and the surroundings.
The Finals was won by DHL Warriors of DHL Global Forwarding Lanka (Pvt) Ltd for the second consecutive year while the runners-up were once again McCallum of McCallum Cargo (Pvt) Ltd.
The Winners was awarded the “ Wings Logistics Challenge Trophy “ and the “Winners Trophy” together with a cash award of Rs.50,000.00 and all members of the winning team received individual trophies.
McCallum cargo was awarded with the Runners-Up Trophy and a Cash award of Rs.30,000.00 and all members of the team received individual trophies.
There were also individual trophies awarded to The Best Batsman and Best Bowler for matches played up to the pre-quarter finals, S.V.Wijesundara of Toll Global won the Trophy for the Best Bowler and Jeewantha Kasun Bandara of Dart Warriors won the Trophy for the Best Batsman.
Furthermore there were individual trophies presented to the Man Of the Final, Woman Of the Final and the Man Of the Tournament, Mr.Nihal Dimbukkuwalage of McCullum Cargo was selected as The Man Of the Final and he received the Trophy and a return air ticket to Bangkok sponsored by Sri Lankan Air Lines and Mr.Sadun Sampath Of Toll Global was selected as The Man Of the Tournament and he too received the Trophy and a return air ticket to Bangkok by courtesy of Sri Lankan Air Lines and Ms.Rebecca Atalugama of DHL Warriors won the Trophy for the Woman of the Final.
AITT & JSI ORGANIZE LIABILITY INSURANCE SEMINAR
AITT Jointly with Janashakthi Insurance PLC, had organized a seminar on 19th,March to the Import, Export trade and service providers industry, to create an awareness and educate on the guidelines relating to performance liability, when import-export consignments are handled through service providers.
The seminar was conducted by Sri Lanka’s Insurance expert Mr. Chandra Schaffter- Deputy Chairman of Janashakthi Insurance PLC and Mrs. Dayalanie Abeygunawardane – General Manager – Janashakthi Insurance and AITT-CEO Mr. Peter Barbut.
Today, Globalization has been the most prominent factor driving the increase in the number of companies in the global market place. This necessitates a broader perspective than when operating as an international company, which may include , amongst others, attributes such global branding, global sourcing, global production, centralization of inventories and centralization of information.
All of these aspects serve to emphasize the added difficulty of operating effectively in a global environment. Third Party (3-PL) Logistics and supply-chain networks have become far more complicated, and meeting the need to plan and manage logistics as a complete and integrated system has become far more difficult. Because of this, the best solution for a global company is very often to outsource it logistics operations and devote time and energy to focus on their key areas of core-competence, R&D and manufacturing.
TRADE NEWS UPDATES
FIATA World Congress 2011
The occurrences during the past months in Egypt have induced the FIATA Presidency to carefully review the situation regarding the carrying out of the FIATA World Congress 2011 in Cairo. An evaluation of the situation has taken place as safety and security of the congress participants is considered as of utmost importance. After the political changes in Egypt, FIATA is confident that the problems will be tackled in a democratic and peaceful manner, which will ease the return to a normal situation. The FIATA Presidency therefore has decided to continue with the preparation for the congress 2011 in Cairo as originally foreseen. This decision is fully supported by our Association member EIFFA who have worked hard over the last couple of years to make this congress a big success.
In order not to interfere with the elections for the new parliament in September in Egypt, the congress dates have been shifted from mid September to new 16 to 21st October, 2011.
The Congress Brochures and Registrations forms will soon be available and be sent to all our members. Furthermore, a special Congress Website will also be ready and available for further information and on-line registration for the congress.
TRADE NEWS UPDATES
“Who pays?” Liabilities upon the detection of the violation on Intellectual Property Rights
FIATA released in September 2010 its Position Paper on “Intellectual Property Rights“.
This paper provides a public position as to FIATA’s concern as the preparatory work by the European Union and a number of other World Trade Organization members on the Anti- Counterfeiting Trade Agreement. The early draft foreshadowed an impact on service providers in international trade logistics and supply chain management as being seenthe “freight holder” and thus captured as regards storage and destruction which may arise as to any intellectual property violation if goods were held at the border.
Arising from this Paper an invitation was extended for FIATA to participate in the Sixth Global Congress on Combating Counterfeiting and Piracy held in Paris 2-3 February 2011.
The Congress provided the opportunity for FIATA represented by the Customs Affairs Institute Chairman Mr Stephen Morris, to extend FIATA’s knowledge and reach in relation to the issue of intellectual property rights.
It was indeed timely as to FIATA’s presence at this event as to the perception of rights holders looking to divest themselves of the responsibility for the cost of storage and/or destruction of goods detained at the border (which may breach intellectual property holder’s rights). FIATA delivered a clear message that intermediaries have no liability (unless this could be proved otherwise from a criminal evidence aspect) as to protecting intellectual property holder’s rights as to goods that may have been carried, or arranged for carriage with other parties, or entered for regulatory purposes.
