BIFAlink March 2023

BIFAlink is BIFA's monthly magazine covering issues of importance for the logistics and supply chain industry.

March 2023 The magazine of the British International Freight Association BIFA link Issue: 391 www.bifa.org

Start your journey to sustainability

INSIDE

6: News Generation Logistics progress celebrated

8: Policy & Compliance

– Pages 12-13

Get ready to transition export entries to CDS 14: Policy & Compliance Changes to the Clandestine Entrant Civil Penalty Scheme 16: BIFA Awards Seafast Logistics, the 2022 BIFA Specialist Services Award winner

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Steve Parker’s Column

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How did you join our industry?

BIFAlink is the official magazine of the British International Freight Association Redfern House, Browells Lane, Feltham TW13 7EP Tel: 020 8844 2266

For me, the answer to the above question dates back to 1973. It was time to leave school and long before there was any careers advice, a trip to our headmaster’s office beckoned. He looked at my underwhelming school results and said: “I see you want to leave at the end of term, what are you planning to do?” As a spotty and nervous 16-year-old who lived near Heathrow airport, I said I was intending to apply for a job at the airport as I thought this was an industry that would grow (I was right about that). The advice he gave was simple for him but set my life on a path that I would never have imagined. “Apply to PANDAIR” he said, “it is the largest freight forwarder in the country.”

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Director General Steve Parker

s.parker@bifa.org Executive Director Robert Windsor, Policy & Compliance – Surface & Legal

r.windsor@bifa.org Executive Director Spencer Stevenson s.stevenson@bifa.org Executive Director Carl Hobbis c.hobbis@bifa.org International Relations Manager Robert Keen r.keen@bifa.org Policy & Compliance Advisor – Customs Igor Popovics i.popovics@bifa.org Policy & Compliance Advisor – Air David Stroud d.stroud@bifa.org Editorial Co-ordinator Sharon Hammond s.hammond@bifa.org Communications Manager Natalie Pitts n.pitts@bifa.org Membership Supervisor Sarah Milton s.milton@bifa.org

This I did and the rest, as they say, is history. Fifty years later I have had a great time in our industry; not only have I travelled the world and been to some amazing places, but also met many great people whose passion and desire for the industry has helped shape it to what it is today. Why do I tell you all that? During February I engaged in a number of events that bring the next generation into freight forwarding. The month saw National Apprenticeship Week and sent me on a visit to the House of Commons for the Generation Logistics forum. This event was attended by politicians as well as representatives from the various aspects of logistics who heard several of the younger generation explaining how they arrived in this great industry. February also took me to Manchester for a BIFA Young Forwarder Network (YFN) event, which saw 20 young people meet in a bar (some things never change), network together, make new friends, share stories and listen to a keynote speaker. The speaker not only gave those present some pointers on how to develop their own careers, but also questioned the percentage of woman at top level in our business, as well as speaking about the environment and the impacts we have on the planet. Thank you to Members who support this initiative by encouraging attendance at both virtual and regional YFN events throughout the year. Last month also saw the initial results of our Freight Development Pathway project to help individuals become industry ready for our Members. As I write this, the first cohort of eight people completed a three-week course organised by Manpower Group and BIFA on work readiness and key elements of the international freight industry. If you, as a corporate Member, recruit one of these individuals you will know they have had the first steps in learning what is needed to be successful. BIFA plans for 2023 If you read my article last month, you will have detected that environment, young people and women are all key agenda items for BIFA in 2023 and beyond. Whilst this all remains work in progress, we have taken the first steps and I look forward to sharing our plans with you over the coming months. Remember, this is your association and I am keen to hear from Members so that my colleagues and I can ensure that we are serving your needs and representing your business in the areas that matter. But all this comes with a cost, so if you have not managed to make a payment for your annual membership yet, please take note of the item on page 11 and do so as soon as possible.

Published by Park Lane Publishing peter@parklanepublishingltd.com Contributors

Steve Parker, Robert Windsor, David Stroud, Spencer Stevenson, Carl Hobbis, Sharon Hammond, Natalie Pitts, Igor Popovics, Brooke Neilson, Nezda Leigh, Robert Keen Note to media: If you wish to use items in this magazine that are older than one month, please contact the editor to ensure that the item in question still reflects the current circumstances. Please be advised that BIFA DOES NOT OFFER LEGAL ADVICE. BIFA is not a law firm and the authors of this publication are not legally qualified and do not have any legal training. The guidance and assistance set out herein are based on BIFA’s own experience with the issues concerned and should not be in any circumstances regarded or relied upon as legal advice. It is strongly recommended that anyone considering further action based on the information contained in this publication should seek the advice of a qualified professional.

Steve Parker Director General

March 2023

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and crumbling cargo volumes continue to push up the amount of commercially idle tonnage. However, it added that this unemployed fleet is growing somewhat slower than expected. EU commences new air cargo declaration regime Ian Matheson, from Impress Communications, reviews some recent news that might impact on Members’ business

ON THE QUAYSIDE DP World saw a 5% rise in the volume of trade handled by its two hubs in the UK last year, with London Gateway reporting a 14% rise in volumes to 2,053,000 teu. This was the first time the port has exceeded 2 million units in a year, consolidating its position as Britain’s second biggest container terminal. OVERLAND The Upply, Ti and IRU European road freight rate index for Europe showed a spot rate fall of 2.4 index points in Q4 2022, compared with Q3 – the first fall in spot rates since Q1 2020. However, spot rates still remain up 18.1 points on Q4, 2021. IN BUSINESS A new UK Net Zero Transport for a Resilient Future Research Hub is to be launched to boost innovative measures to decarbonise and improve transport. Applications are being sought from organisations wanting to host the new hub, with the government pledging £10 million in funding to establish the UK centre of excellence for transport innovation. The centre will develop and implement innovative ideas to ensure future transport is resilient and meets the challenges of climate adaption, such as adjusting to changes in weather and water levels. Organisers of the Multimodal freight show and conference in Birmingham say that 2023 is on track to be the biggest event yet. Visitor demand for the exhibition – which takes place on 13-15 June at the NEC – has prompted early opening for registrations, resulting in a 100% spike in bookings compared with the same time last year.

IN THE AIR From 1 March, full entry summary declarations are needed for air cargo brought into Northern Ireland (NI) and EU member states. These must be submitted through Import Control System 2 (ICS2), which is a new safety and security declaration system being introduced across the EU, that will be implemented over three releases. Once all three releases are live, it will replace the ICS NI system. IATA has released data for global air freight markets showing that 2022 full-year demand for air cargo took a significant step back from 2021 levels, but was close to the 2019

performance. Full-year demand in 2022, measured in cargo tonne- kilometers, was down 8% compared with 2021, whilst capacity in 2022, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers, was 3% above 2021.

February saw Boeing hand over the final 747 freighter to Atlas Air, the last of 1,574 to be manufactured at the company’s wide body factory in the USA. ON THE OCEAN 2M Alliance partners MSC and Maersk Line will end their vessel- sharing agreement in 2025, although there will be no immediate impact on services as the alliance will continue to operate as it has done since 2015 until the end date. PD Ports has secured an additional weekly sailing between Rotterdam, Botlek and Teesport thanks to continued collaboration with shipping line A2B-online, increasing sailings on the route to four times per week. The total number of containers handled via the route will increase to 40,000 per year. Shortsea line CLdN is to introduce a service between Zeebrugge and the Port of Tilbury, following the introduction of an additional chartered vessel, the 2,800 lane metre Tundraland, on its Zeebrugge/Rotterdam-UK routes. Alphaliner announced in February that even with slow steaming and the deferment of newbuilding deliveries, the falling freight rates

March 2023

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Generation Logistics progress celebrated

The first cohort completes Freight Development Pathway After months of preparation, the first cohort of eight individuals completed the BIFA/Manpower partnership Freight Development Pathway (FDP) during January. “It is nice to see some actual delegates join the programme, after a lot of hard work by many people” said Carl Hobbis, BIFA’s executive director responsible for training. “I know Manpower is working hard to spread the word about the FDP programme and careers in logistics to potential candidates, including its 35,000 temporary staff.” Mat Beecham, operations manager – Freight Development Pathway, Manpower added: “We are thrilled with the initial response from those that have attended the launch calls. The BIFA Members I have spoken to so far see it as a hugely positive initiative to help address the skills shortage within the sector. Several BIFA Members have already agreed to use FDP as a route to recruit for their trainee roles.” Beecham emphasised: “The high expectations we have of delegates and the structured nature to the upskilling (i.e. delegates cannot progress onto Week 2, until they complete Week 1) is going to prove successful – certainly it is something that Members are saying they like. “We also have the option to dedicate a cohort of delegates to a specific vacancy, something that is proving popular already, and as a result we can involve the hirer in the process. We are already looking at putting together an FDP biased towards entry level sales

BIFA joined forces with all industry trade associations at a parliamentary reception in early February celebrating the progress so far of the careers and awareness campaign Generation Logistics.

The event brought together current industry leaders and

Generation Logistics Ambassadors, and was hosted and sponsored by Caroline Ansell MP. Phil Roe, Logistics UK President, opened the evening and launched the campaign’s new Careers Booklet that will soon go out to teachers and careers advisors in strategic locales. This was also an opportunity to distribute the Generation Logistics Year 2 Sponsor Prospectus, which reflects

recruit the staff needed across the industry. Talking to potential recruits in the language they understand, using social media, digital marketing, radio and podcasts to raise awareness, and encourage them to investigate careers opportunities. BIFA is proud to be supporting Generation Logistics with other trade associations as partners: AICES, British Association of Removers, British Ports Association, Chemical Business Association, CILT, Cold Chain Federation, HAD, Logistics UK, Logistics Skills Network, Maritime UK, Rail Freight Group, RHA, Road to Logistics, TIACA and UKWA.

bring the industry together and encourage the next generation of logistics workers to engage with the opportunities available and keep the nation’s supply chain protected. A comprehensive web portal has been launched containing careers advice and guidance, features, video content, jobs and news with the campaign focusing on several key demographic areas. Generation Logistics is a huge opportunity to shift perceptions and

how the parties are ultimately working together to create a

‘movement’ amongst young people. Past and current director generals Robert Keen and Steve Parker, along with Carl Hobbis, executive director, represented BIFA at an evening of networking with the people being recognised for keeping the UK’s economy connected. Generation Logistics aims to

“What do you want to do when you leave school?” – the question every teenager dreads! Are you planning to support National Careers Week (NCW) – the week-long celebration of careers guidance and free resources in education across the UK? Yes, great. If not, it is not too late to do something, and it is easier than you might think. Just go to www.nationalcareersweek.com for ideas. By supporting National Careers Week, which takes place from Monday 6 to Friday 10 March, you can inspire the future workforce.

Do not under-estimate the impact that a small amount of time will have on a young person and at the same time

promote careers in logistics and your business locally.

We have produced a useful guide to support and give practical ideas.

roles due to enquiries from Members,” he concluded.

Schools and colleges need more engagement with employers and your local school will have a range of events going on that you can join in with. Go along to the Careers Fair, offer to carry out mock interviews, invite interested students to visit your workplace to see the job first-hand.

It is free to download at https://apprentices.bifa.org/employ ers/schools-engagement/ Let us know what you have been up to or are planning, and we will share it across our various media channels. Please send information to Nezda Leigh at n.leigh@bifa.org

Introduction to the FDP will be a regular feature in the BIFA events calendar – www.bifa.org/events – or for an initial conversation contact Mat Beecham at mat.beecham@manpower.co.uk.

March 2023

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Are you ready for ICS2?

Left to right: Lydia Gwynne, Kelly Hobson, Robbie Morris, Georgia Gibson, Alice Walsh and Joel Amado.

BIFA hosted an online seminar on 1 February on the topic of ICS2. The presentation, by Martin Meacock, VP product development at systems provider Descartes, was attended by over 250 BIFA Members seeking to understand the requirements of Phases 2 (March 2023) and 3 (March 2024) of this EU-wide system impacting UK forwarders consigning goods through EU countries. During the 45-minute session Martin covered the following: • An overview of the ICS legislation as detailed in the UCC, • An overview of ICS as a system, • An outline of the legal responsibilities of individual parties in the supply chain, • An explanation of the data that individual supply chain parties might be in a position to submit, • An understanding of how this data may be submitted, and relevant information passed to other players, • Suggestions to help traders to prepare for ICS2, including new systems, etc. A FAQ document, answering questions raised by attendees, has been published and is available to download from bifa.org/information/ICS-2

Great turn out for first YFN 2023 event

Despite a national rail strike on the day, 21 delegates were not deterred from getting into the centre of Manchester for what was an interesting event to kick off 2023. Our guest speaker was the fabulous Kelly Hobson who gave attendees some thoughts on leadership and how it is evolving. She spoke about your ‘sphere of Influence’ and how leaders have to motivate the people around them and the importance of empathy. Kelly began her international logistics career back in 2005 as a marketing manager and has become a respected female leader within the industry, most recently as marketing director for Ligentia. Kelly also regularly lectures at the University of Leeds and is an active supporter of their Leaders in Residence and Mentor programme. Georgia Gibson, chair of the YFN Northwest, said:

“This was a great start to the year; to have someone with Kelly’s wide-ranging experience give her time to us was fabulous. I am proud to see how this region is developing; each event we are seeing new faces as well as building on existing friendships made purely thanks to the YFN! “We have big plans for the rest of the year. It was also nice to talk about Transaid and the potential opportunities that young people could get involved with outside of work.” You can find out more about future YFN events at www.bifa.org/events Volunteer appeal BIFA is looking for young people to join its various YFN committees. If you have a young colleague that you think will be interested, please get in touch with Nezda Leigh at n.leigh@bifa.org for more information.

The Limits of Liability for Carriers

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By air – Warsaw Convention (17 SDR): £18.85 per kg

By sea – Hague Visby rules (2 SDR): £2.22 per kg £739.21 per package

BIFA STC: (2 SDR): £2.22 per kg

By road – CMR (8.33 SDR): £9.24 per kg

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By air – Montreal Convention (22 SDR): £24.39 per kg

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March 2023

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HM Revenue & Customs has released the key dates for transitioning declarations from CHIEF to the Customs Declaration Service Get ready to transition export entries to CDS

using inventory-linked ports and DEPs will be contacted with details of how to start making export declarations through CDS using third- party software. All routes will be open for making declarations from September 2023. • After 30 November 2023 – all export declarations need to be made using CDS. Transitioning process Currently, HMRC is advising that 97% of all import entries are being submitted via CDS. As most, but not all, Members provide import and export services it is hoped that at least some of the most difficult aspects of transitioning to CDS have already been undertaken, including setting up the relevant Government Gateway credentials. Also, hard won knowledge about import entry completion is transferrable to export entries. However, there are some Members who may be engaged in export traffic only and we emphasise that they should plan as much, and as early, as possible to transition. Recent history tells us that CDS is very complex and does take a while to get used to. BIFA will be circulating more information as soon as it is available.

Following the announcement that all export declarations must be made using the Customs Declaration Service (CDS) by 30 November 2023, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has released a list of key dates relating to the transition. For a business that completes export declarations, this means that you will need to move your declarations from the CHIEF system to CDS as advised. The timetable Different groups will be able to start making export declarations through the CDS at different times, so HMRC has set out some key dates to help you plan ahead: • From late February 2023 – export declarants

that only move goods through ports in the UK that use the Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS) – also known as non-inventory linked ports – will be contacted with details of how to start making export declarations through the CDS using third-party software. Declarants that use Designated Export Place (DEP) movements will need to wait until September 2023. • From Summer 2023 – HMRC will contact export declarants that currently use the National Export System (NES) web service to submit export declarations on CHIEF to let them know how to start making export declarations through CDS using the new ‘make an export declaration’ online service. • From September 2023 – export declarants

Check https://bifa.org/transitioning-to-cds for further information.

March 2023

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2022 saw ASM successfully support nearly 500 organisations through the challenging migration of import customs declarations to the new Customs Declarations Service (CDS). Users of Sequoia have now processed over one million live CDS declarations and counting, whilst continuing to have access to CHIEF declarations and the CDS test (TDR) environment during the migration period.

In what will be another challenging year, the focus is now switching to the migration of exports to CDS and the significant changes to transit movements under NCTS Phase 5, both of which will happen in 2023. You can rest assured we will be here to support all of our customers through these changes as well.

Air Ocean Road Imports Exports ustoms declarations Worksheet automation Customs eTariff CFSP management Customs Warehousing Duty management Transit (NCTS) management Transit (CT) Guarantee management Import ETSF management CCS-UK electronic fallback Export DEP management Job costing and invoicing Air waybills and eAWB Bills of lading Barcoded cargo labels Consignment security declarations Collection and Delivery notes Consolidation management and Manifests eDocument management Archiving Limitless integration Limitless automation

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Potential future developments in the role of the container

Perhaps one of the most significant inventions ever was the shipping container, which has now been in existence for over 60 years. It has facilitated global trade through intermodal supply chains with great efficiency. In recent years, however, there have been numerous innovators seeking to harness emerging capabilities and imagine boxes integrated into broader supply chain activities. The standard freight container is a disconnected solitary box. Opportunities to make it smart are plentiful. Smart might mean the capability to geolocate the unit, or enhance security, or monitor and control temperature for reefer containers; there are numerous use cases for a smart container. There are also potential safety gains – imagine a single smart container, positioned in a stack of several thousand, that is able to announce an unexpected spike in internal temperature, facilitating early response to a cargo fire. Reliable communication has been a fundamental challenge, not least in the middle of the ocean. Advances continue to be made to deliver resilient communications between ship and shore, enabling smart containers and internet of things (IoT) devices to leap forward. A connected smart container might present other opportunities: • More effective fleet utilisation, reducing repositioning. • Visibility and control of the cargo space, potentially mitigating cargo damage and consequent waste. Imagine timely intervention to stabilise temperature fluctuations or adjust humidity settings, precluding damage at destination. • Transparency for the beneficial cargo owner, driving operational efficiencies. Accurate arrival dates or details of transport routing would afford opportunities around staffing Many people in the industry believe that the container will be digitalised in the future, enabling increasing information flows and improving safety. But who will pay for it?

levels, warehouse utilisation and production schedules. • Sensing and/or imaging that detects, records and reports issues, providing myriad benefits. Early detection of a developing fire, for example, is critical to successful response – integrating precise location, declared cargo type, and other metadata would be invaluable at every point through transit. • Detection of movement, heat sources or increases in CO 2 , providing invaluable assistance in security and potentially saving lives in the context of clandestine migration. • Identification, through camera technology, of

• Improved security, greater visibility and the ability to set geofences, ensuring that the container remains on the expected route – or otherwise alerts to deviations. There would also be opportunities to mitigate the risks of container theft. • Ability to self-diagnose damage, whether it be a hole in the roof of the container or a developing weakness following an impact event, enhancing safety and cargo protection. This could be an interesting future iteration of smart container technology. • Functionality to prevent the allocation of a unit until repaired, reducing wasted journeys where a damaged container is positioned and then rejected.

undeclared items in the cargo space, disrupting the movement of illicit goods.

March 2023

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Your BIFA Membership – annual renewal reminder Following the issue of the Company Declaration to all BIFA Members in late 2022, the annual subscription invoice, for 2023 membership, was sent in January. If you have not yet made payment, you are reminded that your remittance is now overdue. In order to continue to benefit from the protection afforded to your business under the BIFA Standard Trading Conditions 2021, it is essential that your membership is renewed promptly. If you have a query relating to membership and your renewal, contact Sarah Milton, Membership Supervisor (s.milton@bifa.org).

• Lighter composite construction materials that lead to greater payloads per container, reducing the overall number of trips required. For insurers, there are also potential benefits, from the ability to quantify the exact volume of each type of unit on risk at any given time, including condition, through to real-time visibility of container numbers and volumes in the path of a windstorm. The availability of this type of data has the potential to reduce burdensome and often lengthy correspondence. From a claims handling perspective, post- incident, having an audit trail and therefore the knowledge of the seat of a fire, or being able to readily identify a potential liable party at an early stage, would be beneficial. This might reduce lengthy expert investigations or provide early corroboration of findings, both targeting and containing associated costs, whether handling a first-party claim for the container equipment, a counterparty claim for damage to a cargo therein or a third-party liability assertion. Recognising that ownership of freight containers is widely dispersed – not only amongst container lessors and the diverse range of shipping lines (global, regional and niche), but also certain

NVOCs (particularly tank container operators) and beneficial cargo owners, there is the need for interoperability and standardisation in order to maximise the potential benefits. Organisations are working to develop such standards and resolve the challenges to ensure connectivity to enable monitoring on board containers With well in excess of 20 million freight containers currently in circulation, it will clearly be some time before the entire global fleet becomes smart. Issues will be caused by fragmented ownership and use will be compounded by differing replacement and fleet management strategies. While the cost of the technology continues to reduce, retrofitting existing fleet units might not be an attractive proposition for now. However, many in the industry believe that the container will be digitalised and that in the long term it will bring benefits by increasing information flows and improving safety. However the question remains, who will pay for this significant investment and will the associated costs outweigh the benefits? BIFA would like to thank the TT Club for allowing the publication of this edited version of its original article.

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March 2023

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Start your journey to sustainability – measure your carbon footprint

As announced in February, BIFA has partnered with Pledge to provide Members with access to a range of tools in order to better understand and address the environmental issues

that affect how they manage international supply chains. As a part of this partnership, Pledge will provide regular blog posts raising awareness of the challenge of an emissions reduction project. In this first article, the importance of establishing a benchmark is explored.

investing in established initiatives such as reforestation or engineered removals with high carbon sequestration permanence (such as biochar, organic material that has been carbonised by pyrolysis for use as a soil additive). In contrast, net-zero programmes have a commitment to first reduce business emissions as much as possible, before offsetting the remaining carbon footprint through projects that remove CO 2 . Understanding the different classifications of emission, known as ‘scopes’, is a good starting point when planning carbon measurement. This breakdown allows businesses to categorise the sources of their emissions and develop appropriate strategies for tackling each source. As classified by the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol, (https://ghgprotocol.org/sites/default/files/standards/ghg- protocol-revised.pdf) there are three categories, or scopes, of business emissions (see diagram, right): Scope 1 emissions: Direct emissions. These emissions stem from sources owned or controlled by the company, for example from company vehicles. Scope 2 emissions: Indirect emissions from purchased energy for power, heating and cooling. Scope 3 emissions: Typically, the largest business emission footprint, and the most complex to measure, Scope 3 includes all associated emissions indirectly related to an organisation. This covers the full length of the supply chain, such as suppliers, third-party logistics and even associated activity by customers. Due to the complexity and number of stakeholders involved in creating scope 3 emissions, accurate measurement requires contribution from multiple external sources. How can businesses measure their carbon emissions? There are many approaches organisations can take when looking to measure their carbon emissions. For example, a business may opt to hire an external consultancy or set up an

“We can’t fix what we can’t measure”. These are the opening words of The Carbon Call, a sustainability initiative designed to improve carbon measurement for businesses worldwide. Embarking on a journey to reduce emissions can be quite an undertaking. In the simplest terms, your emission data acts as a reference point against which any initiatives or activities can be measured. As with any initiative, before getting stuck in with the analysis stage, an overarching strategy is first required to agree on objectives and understand what the business wants to achieve. As we explore in this blog, the approach to measurement varies depending on how an organisation wants to pursue its sustainability goals. Why measuring your carbon footprint is a critical early step Without a foundation built on data, it is impossible for organisations to understand which activities are leaving the deepest footprints. Effective carbon footprint measurement enables businesses to put a stake in the ground, understand their emissions and work towards achieving their reduction and offsetting objectives while being able to demonstrate quantifiable, transparent results. Out of scope: defining and measuring your Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions A business’s approach to carbon measurement may vary based on what it is trying to achieve. For example, an organisation aiming to become net-zero with its emissions will have very different reduction and offsetting requirements to one looking to offer carbon neutral delivery to their clients. Note: the difference between net-zero and carbon neutral is a simple yet important distinction to make. Carbon neutrality refers to the balancing of emissions with offsetting activities – the idea being that your carbon output is ‘compensated’ by

March 2023

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Understanding the different classifications of emission, known as ‘scopes’, is a good starting point when planning carbon measurement. This breakdown allows businesses to categorise the sources of their emissions and develop appropriate strategies

internal team to manually collect, analyse and act on the results, or alternatively, implement software to automate the process. For example, sustainability consultancies use analysts to collate and measure various data sources associated with emission production. These figures can then be cross-referenced against various frameworks and emission factors to deliver a snapshot of emissions. This report will be used to formulate a strategic roadmap of reduction and offsetting activities. The software approach to carbon measurement offers a more efficient and scalable approach. Rather than manually compiling and reviewing data sources, multiple sources of data can be instantly imported into a platform, quickly providing an overview without extensive time needed to review and analyse data manually. Why you should use technology to measure your business’s carbon footprint The technology approach to carbon measurement offers several benefits when compared with traditional methods. As a manual process, consultation is error-prone, time-intensive (and as a result expensive), and only delivers a final footprint for a date that is already in the past. In contrast, the efficiency of sustainability software platforms allows organisations to get a figure in (almost) real-time which can be immediately actioned. This also leads to cost savings, greater accuracy and the ability to integrate with additional systems and data sources throughout the entire value chain, in turn leading to more accurate emission reporting. It is worth noting that as a business scales, introduces new services, partnerships and customers, its carbon footprint

inevitably evolves with it. Due to its agility and flexibility, the software approach to measurement makes it easier to adapt to changes within the business, and provide a more accurate and dynamic view as the business grows. Carbon footprint measurement is the first step on a journey to net-zero. It allows businesses to formulate strategies on reducing emissions and subsequently offsetting any residual emissions. Maintaining a consistent, accurate measurement benchmark will help to ensure activities remain aligned with company targets and that true progress can be made across the entire supply chain. Begin your sustainability journey You can access the carbon calculator by scanning the QR code or at https://bifa.org/information/sustainable-logistics to begin measuring your carbon emissions today.

March 2023

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Changes to the Clandestine Entrant Civil Penalty Scheme

Even though they may not operate their own vehicles, it is important that Members are aware of important changes to the Clandestine Entrant Civil Penalty Scheme, which governs penalties levied against drivers and companies when clandestine entrants are found in vehicles entering the UK. Penalty increases As part of the controversial package of reforms in the Nationality and Borders Act 2022, the UK government plans to toughen up penalties in the Clandestine Entrant Civil Penalty Scheme, with one type of fine set to increase by up to 500%. The penalty for carrying ‘clandestine entrants’ would increase from £2,000 per entrant to potentially £10,000 per entrant under the revised scheme, although the Home Secretary “will consider requests from responsible persons to apply means testing to reduce any remaining level of penalty”. The UK government plans to toughen up penalties in the Clandestine Entrant Civil Penalty Scheme, with one type of fine set to increase by up to 500%

addition making the failure to secure a vehicle an offence punishable with a fine. Regulation 19 of the Carriers Liability (Amendment) Regulation 2023 – 29 is the ‘SCHEDULE’ that lists the standard checks that will be expected to be done by the driver, and a record of these checks needs to be made. The most controversial item is in all probability Item 11, whereby, whilst it is acknowledged that a driver cannot check the integrity of the roof from the outside, it will be a requirement for the driver to check from the inside – in other words open the doors. This is not always possible/feasible, particularly if the load has been sealed for Customs reasons, or the trader uses a ‘smart seal’ on the trailer and only the destination has the relevant code to unlock the trailer/vehicle, or unless a Customs officer requires an inspection, when the consignee will have to provide it. There are other issues to consider such as trying to do this in bad weather and/or in the dark, or if the trailer has been loaded in such a way as makes seeing the roof difficult.

The level of penalties is set considerably higher than previously imposed, but there are ways of reducing them such as signing up to the Civil Penalty Accreditation Scheme. The size of a company will also be taken into account. Documents/links: Further information on the Clandestine Entrant Civil Penalty Scheme effective 13 February is available via the QR code or from: www.gov.uk/government/publications/clandestin

Aggregate fines may be higher “The maximum aggregate penalty per

clandestine entrant will be increased from £4,000 to £12,000 for a first incident, and £20,000 for a second or subsequent incident in the past five years.” The draft guidelines state that if two people are discovered in a commercial vehicle, the driver and the operator may be jointly liable for a penalty of £20,000. Failure to secure a vehicle In a new development, it is essential to note that owners, hirers or drivers would also be fined if they fail to secure a vehicle to prevent clandestine entry in accordance with government regulations, even if no clandestine entrants are on board, to the tune of £1,500 per responsible person for a first incident. This is an important

e-entrant-civil-penalty- scheme including links to the Secure Check Record available in English and 22 other European languages ranging from Albanian to Welsh.

Information on the Civil Penalty Accreditation Scheme for hauliers is available at www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil- penalty-accreditation-scheme

March 2023

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BIFAlink

BIFA Awards

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A group of Magellanic penguins watches a ship passing the Falkland Islands archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean

David Halliday: “We look at remote, difficult-to-serve and emerging markets.”

Seafast links Falklands into global markets

into a new five-year term in 2022. The service is going well and has proven itself on the inbound leg. This involves the transport of mostly UK products such as clothing, foodstuffs, construction materials anything required to sustain the growing community on the Falkland Islands. Very little commercial or civilian traffic now moves on military services.

The winner of the 2022 BIFA Specialist Services Award , Seafast Logistics, found a way to overcome both logistical and political challenges to offer the people of the Falkland Islands regular connections to a global network of trade

A good fit “From the start our intention was to do

something entirely different,” Halliday said. “Our business model is based on geography – we look at remote, difficult-to-serve and emerging markets such as those found in the Middle East and Africa. Currently [January 2023], for example, we are looking to support the Rwandan community, particularly fresh produce growers, with something resembling a proper cold chain of international standard. “The other aspect of our business model is the worldwide shipping of frozen produce, such as frozen poultry from Thailand for retailers. “So the Falkland Islands are a good fit for us. From the outset, we saw an opportunity there; it is a remote location whose biggest exports are frozen fish, squid and some lamb,” Halliday summed up. UK cold facility Seafast has had a small cold facility in the UK since 2009; in 2021, it opened a 100,000 sq ft freezer in Felixstowe that has enhanced the services provided to customers by allowing direct handling of refrigerated goods, either import or export, thereby reducing supply chain complexity. Seafast handles all the documentation and provides access to a global shipping network so that the Falkland Islands can export to and import from anywhere in the world.

Until late 2010, the shipping lines serving the Falkland Islands dealt directly with the islands. Then, regional political tensions resulted in shipping lines finding it difficult to continue

Seafast signs a new contract with lines to serve the Falkland Islands until the end of 2026

serving the Falkland Islands as risks outweighed the rewards of doing so.

SPECIALIST SERVICES AWARD

The community there was left dependent primarily on the services of military vessels whose schedule was infrequent and capacity unreliable as military cargoes would, naturally, always take precedence over civilian or commercial shipments. Three-year contract The Falkland Islands Development Corporation started looking for alternatives to replace the past service and contacted Seafast in May 2011. In September of that year, Seafast group chief executive David J Halliday and operations manager Gareth Player flew to the Falkland Islands, returning with a three-year contract that has been ongoing since then. Seafast entered

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March 2023

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LOGISTICS & SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT FOR CARGO OWNERS

Multimodal has been bringing together shippers and cargo owners with exhibitors and sponsors who can offer products and services to help them make their supply chains more efficient and more cost effective. Visitors attend to meet new suppliers, compare new routes and modes, source new products and ideas to improve their efficiency and to network with the industry.

See what our exhibitors say:

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BIFA Awards

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of his colleagues competed in various challenges. “We had to wear goggles that made us see double and then kick a football around a course, or describe a picture to a blindfolded colleague who had to draw what we described,” he said, laughing. “It was about team bonding and communication skills – and we are entering again this year.” These are fun examples of cross-departmental relationship building that can improve service levels. Equally important is ensuring that employees are supported. In this regard, the GEODIS Employee Council aims to increase employee satisfaction, well-being and productivity; here again Thomas takes an active role. “The aim is to make GEODIS a better place to work than it already is,” he outlined. “We propose ideas to the board, such as healthcare, gym memberships, or even webinars to raise awareness of topics like cancer or the menopause.” Once a month, 14 employees – including apprentices, supervisors and managers – come together to “debate, decide, align”, Thomas explained. One of the committee’s proposals in 2022 was to give each employee a shopping voucher instead of throwing a summer party, in order to ease financial stress as the cost of living increased. Thomas also continues to contribute to initiatives aimed at improving productivity and results. For instance, he said: “We have collected data from last year and we are analysing it to understand which opportunities were successful,

A bright star who loves to push boundaries

Thomas Frost was one of the first apprentices taken on at GEODIS FF UK and won BIFA’s Apprentice of the Year Award in 2019. This year, he was named Young Freight Forwarder of the Year – and his ambition remains unabated

where to target our business and to find improvements to increase our success.”

Aspirations “Becoming a managing director has always been in the back of my mind,” Thomas declared. “From the start of my career as an apprentice, out-of-office learning set the foundation; moving on from that, I have learnt about imports, exports and different transport modes. Now I have moved into sales and next I hope to supervise other individuals.” Thomas wants to learn more about what motivates people too, alongside his growing understanding of the practical side of freight forwarding. “I want to gather all of these aspects and then put them together and use them in the role of managing director,” he said. • Matt Pisano, GEODIS communications and marketing director, added: “We are empowering Thomas to share his success and mentor his peers and some of the younger people we are bringing in as apprentices. His star is very bright indeed.”

YOUNG FREIGHT FORWARDER OF THE YEAR

Virgin Atlantic Cargo is proud to

Thomas Frost has always pushed the boundaries of his comfort zone. “I have never settled for what I am in the moment,” he said. “I have always wanted to go on and do something new, different and challenging; I always look at the next step and think about what I need to do to get there.” Back in 2020, Thomas had already identified sales as an area of the business that he wanted to master, and he has successfully moved into that department after several years in operations. He explained: “My goal is to progress and understand all aspects of the business. My role now covers both sales and marketing. I have also helped organise events such as our prostate and breast cancer fundraising days.”

sponsor BIFA’s Young Freight Forwarder Award to recognise and

Thomas has always seen the value in non- work-related activities, such as the Big Logistics Diversity Challenge last year, in which he and nine encourage the next generation of industry leaders. As well as rewarding the progress of the best young people, this award helps to highlight the vital role freight forwarders play in the growth and development of the industry. VAC recognise the importance of developing and retaining talented young people and is confident this award will help to attract more recruits that want to build a future career in a sector that is so important to the economy and international trade.

March 2023

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