Member Engagement
World, with some informative statistics on carbon savings achieved by using rail. Graeme Wilkinson, BIFA, explained the training and apprenticeship programmes available and the desire to set up a Solent Young Forwarder Network (YFN). Please contact Paul Cunningham p.cunningham@bifa.org if you or a team member are interested. The afternoon was completed with a presentation from Jo Landon of the South Hampshire College Group about adult education opportunities in the area. Humber Andrew Melton presented to the fi rst Humber Members’ meeting in some considerable time at the Village Hotel in Hull. The meeting was attended by 11 local Members, including last year’s virtual Young Forwarder Network (YFN) chair Herbie Cobby of GEODIS Freight Forwarding UK. Those attending were brought up to date with the latest changes in BIFA personnel, the reinvigorated focus on taking BIFA to the regions, along with updates around each of the fi ve BIFA policy groups (Air, Surface, Customs, Legal & Insurance, and the brand-new Sustainable Logistics Policy Group). Members raised concerns around CDS for export and the quality of Customs information available online and through the telephone help lines. Darren Southwell of Relay Port Agency contributed to the Customs discussions with some additional information he was aware of from the Customs Policy Group. Andrew updated the group on the activities of the BIFA training team and Members discussed the need for education in Customs matters, requesting that BIFA consider face- to-face courses in the region in the near future. Members suggested that there should be education courses available for experienced operators to gain a wider understanding of the industry and the legislation that impacts Members. The new BIFA website was demonstrated, and Members were encouraged to use the BIFA resources such as the range of ‘Good Practice Guides’ available in the exclusive Members’ area.
Denise Hill, BIFA Member Engagement Director provides an update on recent events Regional meetings round-up: What you have been doing
B IFA’s team of representatives have been active around the country with the following meetings having taken place recently. Belfast The Northern Ireland regional meeting was hosted by Shauneen McConville at The Mission to Seafarers in Belfast with 30+ attendees. A special mention must go to the mission team for the delicious homemade scones and sandwiches. Members heard from Steve Parker, BIFA Director General, about latest policy group updates and issues, especially around representation and sanctions on Russian iron and steel products. Members fed back the local issues they continue to face around the use of the dual tariff and problems with quota allocation. Denise Hill provided information on training, apprenticeships and the setting up of a young forwarder
network in the region – it was pleasing to see some younger faces
in the audience. Solent - SPIN
The fi rst SPIN or Southampton Port Information Network meeting since the pandemic was held in conjunction with CNS and chaired by Steve Parker. The event was attended by 70+ people including representatives from Border Force who provided an informative update on compliance activities in Southampton and Portsmouth. Peter Nicholls, CNS, informed the audience on latest operational statistics and developments with the new Port Community System (PCS) which will replace the Compass system. James Francis from DP World provided information on truck turnround and dwell times as well as updates on the latest larger vessel arrivals and moves towards net zero emissions. The new Modal Shift Programme, which started on 1 September 2023, was explained by Mark Hooper, DP
DIARY DATES We encourage members to join us around the country for upcoming meetings. Dates for 2024 can be found at https://bifa.org /events/
22 | December 2023
www.bifa.org
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