Regions
Regional round-up Denise Hill , BIFA Member Engagement Director, provides an update on recent activity. Our team of representatives has been active around the country with the following meetings having taken place recently
offices where updates from the recent Air and Customs policy groups were discussed. Most notable was the proposed changes to the Heathrow cargo terminal as the existing structures no longer meet expectations for sustainability and longevity. The recently implemented AIS system for air import collections was also discussed, which BIFA is encouraging Members to use. Liverpool Closely following the annual charity dinner (see page 6), the first Liverpool regional meeting post-pandemic was held on 12 October, hosted by regional representative Andrew Melton and chaired by BIFA Vice Chair Keith Baguley. Andrew reminded members of BIFA areas of activity and provided updates from the various policy group areas. Peel Ports provided an update on port developments, notably the move to reduce carbon footprint via the use of HVO fuel and investment in new electric equipment. They explained the 60/90 dilemma whereby 90% of deepsea cargo arrives in the southern ports but 60% is transported north of Birmingham which should be taken into account when calculating carbon footprint. Issues with the local road infrastructure were also discussed and Members were advised this is the responsibility of the local authority. Looking forward In 2024 our team of Regional Representatives and Consultants would like to welcome new faces to regional meetings. Dates for Q1 2024 are now available: visit https://bifa.org/events to get dates in your diary and book your attendance.
London East The London East regional meeting hosted by Paul Newman and chaired by member Scott Baker was held at the impressive DP World London Gateway offices. Special thanks to Jamie-Lee Robinson who was on hand to help us manage the event, especially the technology! She also provided an update of ongoing site developments including new berth progress and continued green initiatives such as electric straddle carriers. Members heard from the local border force team who gave examples of how to identify potentially suspect shipments from shipper documentation and how to report such movements anonymously. In addition, a representative from Port Health provided an update on current activity.
Steve Persaud, GEODIS Freight Forwarding, supplied an update from the most recent Customs policy group highlighting, amongst other items, the need to reauthorise API tokens to continue to access CDS Imports, CDS Exports, NCTS which we urge all members to check. Felixstowe There were 56 members present at this meeting at The Orwell Hotel and it was pleasing to see so much interaction amongst the group. A representative from the Port of Felixstowe provided an update on latest activities including the completion of the deep-water dredging which enables any size container vessel to access berths at any state of tide. Substantial investment is taking place in electric equipment such as RTGs and tugs to further reduce
carbon footprint. The port recently welcomed the first methanol powered ship the Laura Maersk and the OOCL Felixstowe which is just 158 teu shy of the largest container vessel in the world. Felixstowe/ Harwich port health gave a comprehensive update on initiatives relating to the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM). Carl Hobbis, member services director, BIFA, updated members on availability of training in face-to-face, online and in-house settings. He spoke about the successful YFN network in the area and BIFA’s desire to engage more with young people, encouraging members to bring them along to regional meetings. Heathrow Members joined new regional representative Paul Cunningham at our Feltham
Region
Date
Time
Venue
BIFA Contact
Kent & East Sussex Tue 7 Nov 09:45
Dover Marina
Paul Newman
Hotel
paul@pnauk.com Paul Cunningham
Stansted
Tue 14 Nov 11:30
MS Teams
meeting
p.cunningham@bifa.org
Humber
Tue 14 Nov 08:00
Village Hotel,
Scan the QR code
Hull
to register
Heathrow
Thu 16 Nov 14:00 BIFA, Redfern
Scan QR code
House, Feltham to register
Gatwick
Tue 21 Nov 08:00
MS Teams
Paul Cunningham
meeting
p.cunningham@bifa.org
Anglia
Wed 6 Dec 09:45 The Orwell Hotel, Paul Newman Felixstowe paul@pnauk.com
London East
Thu 7 Dec 09:45
DP World London Paul Newman Gateway
paul@pnauk.com
Kent & East Sussex Tue 12 Dec 09:45 Dover Marina
Paul Newman
Hotel, Dover
paul@pnauk.com
Reporting Freight Related Crime to Border Force – Operations Pegasus and Pandora
Air Contact Numbers Tel: 0203 196 2456 (0700-2000) Tel: 0203 014 5604 (24-hours) Crimestoppers: 0800 555111 or 101 quoting reference Pegasus
Ocean Contact Numbers Tel: 01394 303 116 (Office hours) Tel: 07920 587808 (24-hours) Quoting the reference Pandora.
Please note that there are different numbers for air and ocean. Border Force has confirmed that all reports will be treated in the strictest confidence.
November 2023 | 23
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