Political, economic, financial and regulatory factors are playing an ever-increasing role in today’s international trade.
The South African Association of Freight Forwarders (SAAFF) will be highlighting these aspects with a high-powered line-up of local and international expert speakers at its 2016 Congress. South African Chapter members and other industry stakeholders are urged to attend this crucial industry gathering which takes place on 6 and 7 September 2016 at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, Johannesburg. “We are pleased to introduce two international speakers who bring a combined 98 years of experience to this year’s Congress: Issa Baluch, a Director at FIATA and Stephen Morris, chairman of the Customs Affairs Institute of FIATA,” says Dave Logan, CEO of SAAFF. Baluch is chairman of US-based agricultural development company Africa Atlantic Holdings Ltd., and serves as a director of Wentworth Resources Limited, an East African-focused oil and natural gas producer. He is also a Board member of the UAE-based airline cargo management company, Air Cargo Trader. Baluch is an active industry consultant to supply chain organisations around the world. Stephen Morris brings over 45 years of knowledge and experience in regulatory compliance of customs, bio security, transport security and other trade related matters. As a director of several international non-governmental organisations, he represents the interests of service providers in international trade logistics and supply chain management.
The freight forwarding industry faces a busy task in maintaining fluid trade flows inside and outside the country. “Freight forwarding and contract logistics continues to be a growth industry, although this is expected to slow from 3% over the past five years to about 1.5%,” comments Logan. “Trade routes are becoming more competitive, with declining freight rates placing more reliance on volume revenue and balance sheet strength, especially in emerging markets.
Some of the risks affecting the industry include flat growth due to declining freight rates, especially air freight, and overcapacity in ocean freight, despite rising volumes.However, there is growing customer demand for freight forwarders who provide advanced logistics capabilities and industry-focused solutions. Companies are responding by restructuring their logistics networks, consolidating service providers and functions, sharing logistics facilities and centralising management. “A growing key to profitability for freight forwarders is to develop a capability to analyse customer needs and rapidly provide differentiated and advanced logistics solutions using advanced IT platforms, applications and efficient business processes,” adds Logan. “High earning operators also tend to dominate profitable trade lanes and key emerging markets, and actively develop expertise in their customers’ industries, thus providing better service.” The entire spectrum of South African society and business is in tremendous flux at the moment; the aim of the 2016 SAAFF Congress is to clarify challenges and issues, and propose possible, plausible solutions. Confirmed speakers and topics include:
- Transport Logistics – the Wheels of Commerce: Past, Present and Predictions
- Issa Baluch – chairman: Africa Atlantic Holdings
- Panel Discussion: Tambo Springs Inland Port, SOLAS and Transnet – Challenges and Opportunities
- Zeph Ndlovu – General Manager – Transnet Port Terminals
- Petrus Fusi, General Manager – Economic Regulation and Private Sector Participation: Transnet
- Dr Andrew Shaw – Associate Director for Capital Projects and Infrastructure for South Africa: PwC – Economic Update
- Sizwe Nxedlana – chief economist: First National Bank
- Justice Malala – political analyst
- Geordin Hill-Lewis – shadow minister of Trade & Industry
- Stephen Morris – chairman of the Customs Affairs Institute: FIATA
