The National Professional Body for Logistics Professionals
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Thursday, 10 April 2006

The official newsletter of the Logistics & Supply Chain Management Society.
http://www.lscms.org
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- ALA in 2 new locations
- MD for Port Klang Free Zone
- BAF and Fuel Surcharges expected to increase
- Singapore still the port of choice for carriers
- Education Talk at Queenstown CC

ALA in 2 new locations
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Logisticians in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and the Southern part of Malaysia can now enroll in Australian Logistics Academy Diploma and Advanced Diploma programmes and receive tutorial support from qualified ALA lecturers who will deliver lecture support at these locations.

For more information on the classes and the training partners, please contact Edmund at elee@lscms.org

MD for Port Klang Free Zone
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THE Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ), which would be modelled after the UAE's Jebel Ali Free Zone is due to open in the third quarter of 2006 and has appointed Mr. Noel Gulliver as its Managing Director.

Mr Gulliver will take on his new role equipped with 30 years of experience in the logistics sector, which has included stints in senior and regional management for multinational companies such as Emery Worldwide and Maersk Logistics, to name but a few.

The PKFZ will be Malaysia's first fully integrated free commercial and industrial zone once it becomes operational.

According to a statement issued by Malaysia's Industrial Development Authority, the government is looking to make the MYR2 billion (US$545 million) zone a regional hub for shipping, manufacturing, commerce and distribution activities.

BAF and Fuel Surcharges expected to increase
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MAERSK LINE has announced that starting May 1, the bunker adjustment factor (BAF) charge for all cargo movements from Europe, excluding Israel, to Hong Kong and the rest of China will be increased to US$276 per TEU.

This is just 2 weeks after the carrier announced an increase to $270 per TEU at the beginning of April. Other carriers and airlines are expected to follow suit and this will result in higher total Logistics costs for imported goods in the region.

Singapore still the port of choice for carriers
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AT least 68 foreign-owned shipping groups have established offices in Singapore in recent years, according to Singapore's Maritime & Port Authority (MPA).

"Singapore has the necessary infrastructure in place to serve as the gateway for maritime companies to reach out into Asia's fast-growing markets," said Brigadier General Tay Lim Heng, Chief Executive of the MPA, quoted by the paper TradeWinds.

"As the world's busiest port, the top bunkering port and a thriving centre for ship repair and off-shore maritime engineering, Singapore offers many business opportunities for maritime companies looking to grow and expand."

According to the MPA, the shipping groups that have come to the city include liner operators, bulker and tanker players and companies in the offshore sector.

Taken together, they account for business spending worth around S$2.5 billion (US$1.5 billion).

"We aim to move up the value chain to make Singapore a place where a wide range of maritime-ancillary services, such as shipping management, shipbroking and chartering, maritime finance and insurance and maritime law and arbitration, flourish," said Brigadier General Tay.

He pointed out that the Lion City's port connected around 200 shipping lines to more than 600 ports in over 1,200 counties or regions. Its airport offers over 3,500 weekly flights to 140 destinations in 50 countries or regions.

In addition the city seeks a role as an intellectual platform for the maritime industry: "With our established maritime intellectual capital, Singapore is also well positioned as an Asian platform to contribute towards maritime thought leadership and discourse, shape agendas and influence decision-making in global shipping," the MPA chief executive said.

Singapore displaced Hong Kong as the busiest container handler in 2005.

Education Talk at Queenstown CC
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The Logistics Society with MENDAKI has organised a carrer talk Logistis Education & Training and the WDA Employability Skills System at Queenstown CC on 22nd April from 2 - 3.30p.m.

These excellent courses which are highly subsidised will not help equip Logisticians and working adults to develop technical skills but also employability skills such as problem solving, change management and communication.

For enquiries please contact 6222 5280 or e-mail daq@logis.com.sg