BIFA

Felixstowe revamps VBS to stop ‘haulier abuse’ and ease congestion

The port of Felixstowe is tightening up the criteria for using its vehicle booking system (VBS) at its two container terminals, which, it alleged, had been abused by some hauliers.
The UK’s biggest container port said the design of its heavily criticised VBS, which allows slots to be secured without a container associated with the booking, “had encouraged some hauliers to secure as many bookings as they could, irrespective of their …

The post Felixstowe revamps VBS to stop ‘haulier abuse’ and...

https://theloadstar.com/felixstowe-revamps-vbs-to-stop-haulier-abuse-and-ease-congestion/

Outraged UK freight industry hits back at Government

Hauliers, freight forwarders and shippers in the United Kingdom (UK) are today, 24 September, baffled by the leaked ministerial letter that appeared in the British press on 23 September, with some claiming that it is a precursor to the Government shifting blame for excessive queues at UK borders after the European Union (EU) transition period expires on 1 January.

A letter from the Cabinet Office in which the Cabinet Minister Michael Gove warns industry that, “In its reasonable worst-case...

https://container-news.com/outraged-uk-freight-industry-hits-back-at-government/

Fury as UK government looks to blame predicted Brexit chaos on logistics sector

The UK government is “making villains of key workers” in logistics according to forwarders, as tensions between ministers and businesses rose to new levels this week.
A leaked letter from Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove to logistics organisations appears to pin the blame for expected queues of up to 7,000 lorries on companies being unprepared.
Mr Gove wrote: “The period of disruption for the reasonable worse case scenario is predicated on assumptions …

The post Fury as UK government looks...

https://theloadstar.com/fury-as-uk-government-looks-to-blame-predicted-brexit-chaos-on-logistics-sector/

Felixstowe congestion eased

Shipping lines are reporting that the UK Port of Felixstowe is again accepting returned empty containers by road, from 19 September, and will accept returns by rail from 22 September.

According to Felixstowe Port congestion at the facility has been caused by a surge of imports, an increase of 30% higher than on average, storms and the unusually high levels of empty containers at the port.

However, the lines say that added to the above causes are staff shortages at the port, lost working days due...

https://container-news.com/felixstowe-congestion-eased/

More Port of Felixstowe congestion riles freight forwarders

An increase in container volumes in the rush to beat China’s Golden Week holidays and technical issues with the Port of Felixstowe’s vehicle Booking System (VBS) has resulted severe congestion at the port according to freight forwarders’ association BIFA.

According to the British International Freight Association (BIFA) congestion at the port means that forwarders are no longer able to return empty containers to the port.

“The operational performance at Felixstowe has been very challenging for...

https://container-news.com/more-port-of-felixstowe-congestion-riles-freight-forwarders/

Another blow for UK logistics: SMART Freight system won’t be ready for Brexit

UK forwarders and shippers readying their businesses for Brexit were dealt another blow yesterday when freight association Logistics UK revealed it had learned that the SMART Freight system won’t be ready for the deadline of 1 January.
“News that the government’s much anticipated SMART Freight system is unlikely to be ready by the end of the year, with the beta version only anticipated for launch in mid-December, is a crushing disappointment …

The post Another blow for UK logistics: SMART...

https://theloadstar.com/another-blow-for-uk-logistics-smart-freight-system-wont-be-ready-for-brexit/

UK government still not clear on post-Brexit border processes, says BIFA

The UK government must issue clearer and more accurate information on border  processes following the Brexit transition on 1 January, BIFA demanded this week.
It believes most UK freight forwarders do not have a clear understanding of the processes required and have significant reservations over whether they have the capacity to handle the major changes required.
The UK forwarder association surveyed its members and found government information needed to be more accurate …

The post UK government...

https://theloadstar.com/uk-government-still-not-clear-on-post-brexit-border-processes-says-bifa/

Whitehall unveils Brexit border operating model – but the tech may prove tricky

The UK logistics industry has welcomed more clarity in the government’s new border operating model, but has warned that many details are still lacking, making the timeframes “extremely challenging”.
The 206-page document, published yesterday, outlines protocols for borders and differing commodities, but a lot relies on new technology, which is either not completed or not currently compatible with industry systems.
However, the British International Freight Association (BIFA) welcomed an...

https://theloadstar.com/whitehall-unveils-brexit-border-operating-model-but-the-tech-may-prove-tricky/

Cautious industry welcome for ‘light touch’ post-Brexit customs controls

The freight industry has “cautiously welcomed” news that the UK government is to stagger import controls throughout 2020, but has warned that without an extension to the transition period, getting a trade deal will be crucial.
“A recent survey of our members revealed that the majority believe an extension to the transition period is desirable if no trade deal is agreed by 31 December, and UK trade with the EU is …

The post Cautious industry welcome for ‘light touch’ post-Brexit customs controls...

https://theloadstar.com/cautious-industry-welcome-for-relaxed-post-brexit-customs-controls/

Don’t write off ‘digital freight forwarders’ – look and learn from them

It happened again, last week.
Digitally native forwarder Beacon announced a funding round, accompanied by familiar claims of disrupting the trillion-dollar freight industry.
And while the logistics industry certainly has room to advance, the announcement also brought a familiar indignant response. The reality, of course, is more nuanced.
On the one hand, there’s no such thing as a tech company anymore. Every company, big or small, has made technology a central part of …

The post Don’t write off...

https://theloadstar.com/dont-write-off-digital-freight-forwarders-look-and-learn-from-them/

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