British International Freight Association (BIFA)

Felixstowe remains under fire as complaints keep rolling in

The UK Port of Felixstowe has come under renewed attack for its stance on delays at the facility with the British International Freight Association (BIFA) calling for government intervention in an effort to find a resolution to the chronic congestion that hauliers say is blighting the port.

In a statement late on Friday, 9 October, BIFA called on the government to intervene in the dispute as an arbitrator in an effort to bring the two sides together to find a solution which the freight...

https://container-news.com/felixstowe-remains-under-fire-as-complaints-keep-rolling-in/

Freight association asks for government intervention at the port of Felixstowe

Robert Keen

Freight association asks for government intervention at the port of Felixstowe

Freight forwarders that are suffering major operational damage and incurring significant additional costs as a result of the ongoing disruption to operations at the port of Felixstowe are demanding that Government intervenes in the dispute between the port’s owners and users.

Robert Keen, Director General of the British International Freight Association (BIFA) said: “There is a huge difference of opinion...

https://www.allaboutshipping.co.uk/2020/10/09/freight-association-asks-for-government-intervention-at-the-port-of-felixstowe/

Freight forwarders facing the perfect storm of issues at the port of Felixstowe

Robert Keen

Freight forwarders facing the perfect storm of issues at the port of Felixstowe

Freight forwarders that are now unable to restitute empty containers to the port of Felixstowe until September 23rd say it is yet another example of appalling service from a port that describes itself as ‘The Port of Britain’.

Robert Keen, Director General of the British International Freight Association (BIFA) said: “The operational performance at Felixstowe has been very challenging for some time, but...

https://www.allaboutshipping.co.uk/2020/09/17/freight-forwarders-facing-the-perfect-storm-of-issues-at-the-port-of-felixstowe/

Freight association surveys members on Brexit preparedness

Robert Keen

Freight association surveys members on Brexit preparedness

As part of research on the preparedness of the UK’s freight forwarding and logistics sectors for the end of the Transition period on December 31, 2020, the British International Freight Association (BIFA) is again surveying its members.

Director General, Robert Keen says: “One of trade association’s main roles is member engagement, ensuring that members are kept informed of important developments, and also that their views are...

https://www.allaboutshipping.co.uk/2020/08/26/freight-association-surveys-members-on-brexit-preparedness/

Freight association calls for greater clarity and 
detail on new cross border trade systems

Robert Keen

Freight association calls for greater clarity and 
detail on new cross border trade systems

Commenting on the raft of recent announcements by the UK government in regards to various aspects of the UK’s future cross border international trade, the trade association for UK freight forwarders said that, as always, the devil will be in the detail.

Robert Keen, the trade association’s Director General said: “The sooner the government puts some meat on the bones of the various...

https://www.allaboutshipping.co.uk/2020/08/10/freight-association-calls-for-greater-clarity-and-
detail-on-new-cross-border-trade-systems/

Border Strategy consultation offers further recognition of the key role of freight forwarders in cross-border international trade

Robert Keen

Border Strategy consultation offers further recognition of the key role of freight forwarders in cross-border international trade

Noting the government’s launch of a consultation on its 2025 Border Strategy, the trade association for UK freight forwarders says that its extensive involvement with various government departments has highlighted the need for a thorough review of the way that the UK border operates.

Robert Keen, Director General of the British International Freight...

https://www.allaboutshipping.co.uk/2020/07/23/border-strategy-consultation-offers-further-recognition-of-the-key-role-of-freight-forwarders-in-cross-border-international-trade/

Virtual port tour breaks attendance records for Young Forwarder Network

Lexi Laybourn, YFN committee member and customer services operator at DP World London Gateway

Virtual port tour breaks attendance records for Young Forwarder Network

The latest event to be held since the British International Freight Association (BIFA) relaunched its Young Forwarder Network attracted a record attendance for any event, real or virtual, since the YFN was originally launched in March 2019.

Lexi Laybourn (pictured), YFN committee member and customer services operator at DP World...

https://www.allaboutshipping.co.uk/2020/06/12/virtual-port-tour-breaks-attendance-records-for-young-forwarder-network/

Will the digital revolution kill off forwarders?

Robert Keen

Will the digital revolution kill off forwarders?

Digital disruptors will no more kill-off today’s forwarding sector than the advent of European rail did in the 1800s, according to director general of the British International Freight Association (BIFA), Robert Keen.

This week he described comments from one industry disrupter that with digitalisation accelerating globally as a result of COVID-19, it believes the future of the traditional freight forwarder is more precarious than ever as...

https://www.allaboutshipping.co.uk/2020/06/02/will-the-digital-revolution-kill-off-forwarders/

HMRC publishes customs agent list

Robert Keen

HMRC publishes customs agent list

The British International Freight Association (BIFA) is encouraging its members to ensure that they are included on a list of customs agents and fast parcel operators being compiled and published by HMRC  in preparation for January 1, 2021, when customs declarations will be required on goods moving into and out of the EU.

Robert Keen, Director General at BIFA said: “Because the UK has left the EU, and whatever the outcome of the transition negotiations...

https://www.allaboutshipping.co.uk/2020/05/22/199731/

UK freight forwarders give cautious welcome to Government’s planned investment in transport infrastructure

Robert Keen

UK freight forwarders give cautious welcome to Government’s planned investment in transport infrastructure

The British International Freight Association (BIFA) has given a cautious welcome to the news that the UK Government will commit to invest some £2 billion in the UK’s transport infrastructure.

BIFA Director General, Robert Keen, says: “We have regularly said that there has been a distinct lack of investment in the UK transport infrastructure network over many years.

“Prior to the...

https://www.allaboutshipping.co.uk/2020/05/15/uk-freight-forwarders-give-cautious-welcome-to-governments-planned-investment-in-transport-infrastructure/

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