Current News

UK Logistics Confidence Index

Barclays and Moore Stephens, in conjunction with specialist sector research agency Analytiqa, have undertaken the latest in our series of surveys to assess confidence and expectations in the UK logistics sector.

MAR open Public Consultation on Consortia BER

The European Commission has launched, on the 26th September, a consultation seeking to collect views from stakeholders to assist the Commission's assessment of the impact and relevance of the Consortia Block Exemption Regulation, and to provide evidence for determining whether it should be left to expire or prolonged, and if so, under which conditions.

Information about Felixstowe problems for BIFA Members to use with their customers

On June 11th, 2018, with no prior warning, the Port of Felixstowe introduced the Next Generation Terminal Management System (nGen), a new terminal operating system (TOS). The system was already in use at twenty-five ports worldwide owned by Hutchinson Ports, however the introduction at Felixstowe went badly wrong and over three months later the position has not been fully resolved.

Lufthansa Cargo bans dry ice shipments on 747s to keep animals safer

Lufthansa has banned the shipment of dry ice in its 747s to prioritise pets, despite demand from pharmaceutical shippers.

Extension of the UCC transitional period

This week was an important week for the implementation of the UCC. The European Court of Auditors published a report and recommendations concerning delays in the customs IT systems and several meetings were held in the European Parliament on the same topic. The IMCO Committee organised a workshop on 9 October during which CLECAT presented its views.

Port of Southampton container operations update

Further to recent communications about very high stack levels at Southampton, DP World advise that the situation has improved. There is no congestion and truck turnaround times are back to their expected operational levels.

New EU legislation relating to wood packaging material assocated with certain goods from China and Belarus

The Forestry Commission notice of new wood packaging material controls which commenced on 1st October relating to imports of various commodity codes from China and Belarus.

Liner balance postponed

A gloomier world economic outlook and rising trade tensions have forced Drewry to downgrade its forecast for container demand over the next five years, according to the global shipping consultancy’s latest edition of the Container Forecaster.

UK freight forwarders association expresses surprise at the recent news on the UK Government's plans for Customs

The trade association for UK freight forwarders has expressed its surprise at the recent report in the Times newspaper that the UK Government is planning to invest £8 million in customs training and automation to support the extra demand for customs brokerage services in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal in March 2019.

Boiler room scam in the name of HMRC

A Solicitor, who is also BIFA Associate Members, has contacted BIFA to warn about a boiler room scam targeting freight forwarders by fraudsters claiming to be from HMRC.