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Interview with Stephen McDermott, Director of Education and Marketing of CIFFA

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“We designed these logistics training programmes to train our 300+ member logistics companies in Canada, but in the last years, they have been integrated into the curriculum of 16 post-secondary colleges and have been taken by more than 15,000 industry professionals”

CIFFA - freight forwarding courses
Stephen McDermott from CIFFA

This week, we interviewed Stephen McDermott, the Director of Education and Marketing of the Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association (CIFFA).

Since last year, CIFFA has been working together with The Cooperative Logistics Network to provide exclusive and competitive prices for their freight forwarding courses. These courses, designed by experienced professionals in various logistics fields, have been delivering top-notch professional education to students for many years. Geared towards individuals working in the supply chain sector, the courses offer an opportunity to enhance their careers. Additionally, newcomers to the industry looking to establish a solid foundation in the sector will find these courses perfect for starting their journey.

The Cooperative Logistics Network has just opened registration for the highly sought-after International Transportation and Trade course. Members can already enrol for the course that will start on 2nd October 2023. During our conversation, Mr McDermott provided us with a comprehensive overview of CIFFA’s freight forwarding courses, emphasizing their significance and the exceptional reputation they have garnered within the industry. He also shared valuable insights into the course content, the benefits of enrolling, and the collaboration with the Cooperative Logistics Network.

Q. What prompted you to launch courses for people in the freight forwarding sector?

A. To start with, we designed these logistics training programmes to train our 300+ member logistics companies in Canada. Our training programmes not only help the new employees get a fair knowledge of the industry but also offer valuable opportunities for people looking to advance their careers in the logistics field. Moreover, our freight forwarding courses are currently integrated into the curriculum of 16 post-secondary colleges, specifically within international business and supply chain programs. These courses prioritize the fundamental skills and competencies needed to excel as an independent freight forwarder, giving a competitive edge over generic logistics courses.

Q. When did you start offering logistics courses?

A. CIFFA was created in September 1948 in Montreal by a small group of freight forwarders who wanted to create an association that could cater to the professional needs of its members. For over four decades, CIFFA has been helping freight forwarding professionals scale their careers.

Q. How many students have you had to date?

A. Over the last ten years, our courses have been taken by more than 15,000 industry professionals who have benefited from the extensive knowledge and expertise they provide. The Coop’s Online Academy currently offers two of CIFFA’s freight forwarding courses: International Transportation and Trade, and Essentials of Freight Forwarding.

Q. Are you satisfied with your cooperation with The Cooperative Logistics Network?

A. The Cooperative Logistics Network is an excellent partner who has a commitment to bringing education to its members globally. We started our cooperation with them last year for them to offer the International Transportation and Trade Course and Essentials of Freight Forwarding Course and we are very happy with this productive partnership!

Q. Could you briefly mention the advantages of participating in these training programmes?

A. Our freight forwarding courses not only train the learners and test their understanding, but it also ensure that they get to apply their education to real-world logistics scenarios. Moreover, the digital disruption in the transportation and logistics sector has made lifelong learning imperative. The advent of digitization and automation of the work processes demand a wider range of expertise. The most valuable workers are those who can adapt to the needs of the time and come up with new ways of thinking. Therefore, one needs to engage in lifelong learning to stay updated with the needs of logistics 4.0 and secure their position in the industry.

Q. Who formulates the logistics courses?

A. Our course content is formulated by a team who are veritable experts on the topics covered in the courses. Moreover, we regularly consult these experts to ensure that the courses are up-to-date and relevant.

Q. How did CIFFA acquire this high reputation?

A. CIFFA will celebrate 75 years in 2023, dedicated to offering membership and advocacy services to the logistics industry. Right from the start, we have forged deep connections and partnerships within the industry. This includes our education programs that our members rely upon to teach the vital skills and competencies required of their workforce. Furthermore, CIFFA continually builds on this experience and listens to feedback from students and the industry to create the highest quality education programs. More importantly, our courses enjoy very high approval rates from students.

The Coop’s 7th Annual Meeting will be held in Bali, Indonesia, in May 2024.

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This freight forwarders conference is a once-in-a-year opportunity for the network members to meet in person and establish lasting connections with reliable international logistics partners

The Cooperative Logistics Network’s 7th Annual Meeting is all set to take place on the gorgeous island of Bali, Indonesia, from 23rd to 25th May 2024. The Intercontinental Bali Resort Hotel has been chosen as the venue for the much-awaited annual meeting of freight forwarders. With a focus on enhancing the bottom line of the delegates’ businesses, this conference will allow the participants to maximize the benefits of their membership.

The event will start a Welcome Cocktail Reception which will allow the delegates to break ice with their fellow members before commencing the one-to-one business meetings on the following day. Each delegate will be able to conduct up to 32 one-to-one meetings with their network partners. These face-to-face meetings which form the core business activity of the conference go a long way in fostering networking among the participating delegates. In addition, during the meeting the members will get to attend FreightViewer workshops where they will get to learn about the latest features and utilities of The Coop’s member exclusive TMS.

In addition to the extensive business agenda, the meeting will also emphasize the importance of face-to-face communication in fostering a sense of community within the network. It will provide ample opportunities for agents to socialize, interact, and develop trust, thereby establishing stronger working relationships. Furthermore, the event will feature a corporate group tour, a welcome cocktail reception, and a dinner party, ensuring a perfect balance between business and leisure throughout the conference.

Antonio Torres, President and Founder of The Cooperative logistics network says, “We have dedicated considerable effort to ensure that our yearly conferences provide the utmost value to our members. Moreover, our team is working round the clock to provide a seamless and rewarding networking experience for the delegates. This event will serve as a dynamic sourcing hub, allowing our members to forge long-term partnerships with trustworthy logistics partners from around the world.”

For more information keep an eye on The Coop’s Annual Meeting page.

 

New online portal by Worldwide Customs and Forwarding for clients to track the real-time location of their shipment

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Worldwide Customs and Forwarding- freight forwarder in Melbourne
New online portal – WWCF

The recently launched online client portal will enable their clients to access to live GPS location updates on vessels until they reach their final destination

Worldwide Customs and Forwarding, a Coop member in Melbourne, Australia, has created a new online portal that will allow their customers to have end-to-end tracking of their shipments. Additionally, this innovative platform empowers their customers with comprehensive end-to-end tracking capabilities for their shipments.

WWCF-New online portal - Coop_
WWCF – New online portal

Moreover, it grants clients access to live GPS location updates on vessels, along with essential milestones such as pick-up, loading, departure, arrival, clearance, delivery, and more. According to Mr. Nathan Llewellyn, General Manager of Worldwide Customs and Forwarding, this tool has proven to be an excellent asset for their clients. “It has not only elevated our customer experience but also contributed to substantial internal efficiencies,” he says.

By seamlessly extracting data from their internal system, the portal guarantees utmost precision and accuracy. Furthermore, it incorporates features such as accounts payable and a variety of client-specific tools that have received highly positive feedback.

Congratulations to Worldwide Customs and Forwarding for their latest endeavour to boost client service!

New well-trained team for the air freight department appointed by KOPF + LUEBBEN

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Johan Padding: ‘Our new air freight team consists of five members and they combine a perfect mixture of experience, age, and personality’

Kopf & Luebben GmbH, founding Coop member in Bremen, Frankfurt and Hamburg, Germany, has designated a new team to handle air freight operations. “As an official IATA agent, our airfreight department is handling our clients’ and partners’ smallest pieces up to full charter solutions. To handle this smoothly, a qualified and well-trained team is a must,” states Johan Padding, the Managing Director of Kopf + Luebben.

Kopf + Lubben - air freight forwarder
Kopf + Luebbben – Air freight team

 

Their air freight team presently comprises 5 members: Martin Strankmann, Adam Hoffman, Anna Lena Woempner, Anna Flohr and Yannick Elsner (from left to right), and Mr. Padding is convinced that the newly formed crew will be very successful since they have found the perfect mixture of experience, age, and personality.

“Innovative concepts and our personalized support as well as reliable partners at all relevant airports around the world make us a strong partner to ensure that the goods reach their destination on time,” continues Mr. Padding.

Kopf + Luebben has been offering direct connections worldwide to move direct and consolidated shipments, part or full charter, and handle both general cargo and hazardous goods – if required, even with an on-board courier. Moreover, they are familiar with customs formalities and transport insurance and provide warehouse services for their customers as well.

Congratulations to Kopf + Luebben and all the best for their new projects!

Bulk cargo shipment of 34k MT of coal handled by Cargo WWS

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As a part of their endeavour to broaden their horizons and maximize the optimization of processes, they are investing in coal import operations

Cargo WWS, a Coop member in Warsaw, Poland, handled a bulk cargo shipment of 34K MT of coal from Palmarejo, Venezuela, to Gdansk, Poland. The shipment – that had a length of 189.99 meters and a width of 32.3 meters – was first transported by sea freight. The vessel carrying capacity was 50337 t DWT and the draught was reported to be 11 meters. Afterwards, Cargo WWS moved the shipment through 17 trains with almost 2000 MT cargo in each to finally deliver it to the client yard.

Cargo WWS -independent freight forwarder
Bulk coal shipment by Cargo WWS

 

“With the aim of expanding our horizons and maximizing process optimization, we had strategically selected sea freight and railway as our preferred transportation solutions. Moreover, recognizing their inherent efficiencies, we believe that these modes of transport offer the most effective and streamlined options for meeting clients’ logistical needs,” says Łukasz Leśniak, Managing Director of Cargo WWS.

One of the biggest challenges we had to face was to get the spot for unloading in the port because of the huge congestion at that time. “Despite the congestion, we were able to discharge the shipment at the port promptly, demonstrating our commitment to meeting deadlines and delivering exceptional service to our clients,” continues Mr Leśniak.

Cargo WWS The Cooperative
Cargo WWS  The Cooperative

 

Additionally, they offered their customer comprehensive services to handle the shipment successfully, and took charge of the formalities required. They efficiently handled all the necessary paperwork, including the contract of the vessel agency to provide a smooth and hassle-free process for their clients ensuring compliance with all relevant regulations and requirements.

Congratulations to Cargo WWS and all the best for their upcoming projects!

 

New shipment of medical and humanitarian aid consisting of a mobile CT scanner moved by Alphatrans

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They moved this sensitive shipment in a special container from China to Ukraine via ocean freight and land transportation

Alphatrans Ltd- independent freight forwarder
Medical shipment by Alphatrans Ltd

 

Alphatrans Ltd, a Coop member in Odessa, Ukraine, recently concluded the successful delivery of a humanitarian shipment consisting of mobile computed tomography scanner. The cargo originated from China and was initially shipped to the port of Constanta, Bulgaria, before being further transported by Alphatrans Ltd to Ukraine.

The container itself was a complex module with a built-in CT scanner, which is designed for quick transportation to places where there is no stationary tomography equipment. The Managing Director of Alphatrans, Dimitry Balaban says, “The container was not a standard one, we had to ship it on a break bulk vessel, while we used a special semi-trailer for land transportation to the consignee’s destination.”

Alphatrans-medical shipment
Alphatrans-medical shipment

 

“We sincerely thank our customers for their trust in the delivery of such valuable cargo to our country,” he adds. Since its inception, Alphatrans has consistently provided assistance in delivering goods to customers within the medical industry. They have been coordinating the transportation of pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, and equipment, handling both commercial shipments and humanitarian aid.

Congratulations to Alphatrans Ltd for a job well executed!

 

KRS Logistics undertakes the transportation of 27,000 tonnes drilling pipes projects from Singapore to the Middle East

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They have completed the 1st vessel in March 2023 and the remaining 2 shipments will be sent during June and August respectively

KRS Logistics LLC, a Coop member in Dubai, UAE, is handling the movement of 27,000 tonnes of drilling pipes for a leading oil drilling company in the Arabian Gulf. The project consists of 3 charter vessels of which one has already been sent in March 2023. They will move the remaining 2 shipments during June and August respectively.

The pipes have a diameter of 30” & 24”,  a length of 14.50 meters, and weigh 4 to 8 MT each. The pipes which come from Korea are stored in Singapore and delivered to the threading factory on a daily basis.  On completion of 1000 pipes, KRS Logistics charters a vessel to Middle East for delivery.

“We have been continuously working on drilling pipes projects since 2016 and therefore we are confident about pulling off this shipment flawlessly,” says Shibu George, the CEO of KRS Logistics LLC.

The scope of the project includes receiving the cargo at the Jurong Port in Singapore, storing it at their contracted yard in Singapore, and delivering the plain end pipes to the threading factory. Finally, “we were responsible for collecting the threaded pipes back to the yard regularly, delivering them to the port when exporting, and arranging port handling, charter vessel and freight to the Middle East for delivery to the consignee”.

Congratulations to KRS Logistics LLC and all the best with this project!

The Cooperative Logistics Network takes part in the Container Shipping Conference 2023

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This virtual event consisted of top-level content and thought leadership discussions by means of innovations in dealing with the current and future logistics challenges

Andrea Martin  was invited to be speaker at the Container Shipping Conference 2023 which took place from 30th– 31st May, where she delivered a presentation on the subject of “The importance of a digital strategy for freight forwarders.” The seminar, organized by PTN Events, served as a gathering for pioneers in the field of next-generation technologies, fostering discussions on digital innovation.

The Coop FreightViewer
Container Shipping Conference 2023

 

The Coop’s FreightViewer department selected this topic with the intention of highlighting the importance of adopting new strategies and for navigating the transformative changes brought about by Industry 4.0. During the conference, Andrea Martin addressed three key aspects: the profound impact of Industry 4.0 on the logistics sector, the significance of embracing a digital strategy to secure a position in this evolving industry, and the various challenges that may arise throughout this process of digitization.

During her presentation, Andrea Martin emphasized the significance of devising a digital strategy within the logistics sector to effectively adapt to the technological shifts occurring in the industry. She also shed light on how FreightViewer plays a crucial role in assisting members with their digitization endeavours. Moreover, she highlighted two primary advantages of the platform: seamless connectivity between members and the ability to operate online. Concluding her participation, Martin addressed the multitude of challenges that arise throughout the implementation of digital strategies in the logistics business.

The Container Shipping Conference assembled a panel of experts to explore a range of topics including container optimization, platform collaboration, the causes and effects of port congestion, accelerating digitalization, investment scenarios, and efficiency-enhancing solutions. It assembled global container shipping professionals to understand and discuss international market issues and technical challenges. Attendees had the opportunity to gain insights from industry leaders and familiarize themselves with innovative approaches that can enhance their knowledge and equip them with future tools and tactics in the sector.

As stated by Antonio Torres, CEO and Founder of The Cooperative Logistics Network, “We are always keen on participating in conferences that showcase digital innovations within the industry. Such events not only keep our members and us well-informed about the latest developments in the logistics sector but also provide an opportunity to position our member-exclusive transport management software, FreightViewer, in the context of the new era where establishing a digital strategy has shifted from being optional to becoming a mandatory requirement for freight forwarders. We extend our gratitude to PTN Events for extending the invitation to us, and it has been a pleasure to be a part of this event.”

 

 

New promotional video launched by Warelog to show the people behind the company, its work ethics and its values

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The video which shows the company’s structure and approach to the industry aims to increase its reach and engagement with potential customers

Warelog – Gestao De Servicos Logisticos, LDA, a Coop member in Lisbon and Porto, Portugal, has created a condensed video to showcase the workings of their company. In addition, this video reflects the factors that make their company stand out from the rest.

This video mirrors the people behind their company, its work ethics, and the values that drive them. Moreover, creating a video will also “increase the chances of our existing and potential customers remembering us,” says Luis Pinto, General Manager of Warelog. “Clients and partners will see how Warelog thinks logistics as part of the big picture and will be able to visualize how we work in real life,” he said adding that, “the video is not ‘made up’, it is really our workers, our warehouses, our transport partners… It is really us!”

Warelog video The Cooperative Logistics Network
Warelog video The Cooperative Logistics Network

 

“This video is a way to say thank you to our drivers, planners, coordinators, customers, partners and all the people involved in the logistics chain, for their hard work, dedication and trust on us.” continues Mr. Pinto.

Moreover, the video also highlights the contribution of all the people who work day in and day out to ensure that the cargo reaches the right destination at the right time. “Warelog is lucky enough to have the best people to move mountains (literally and figuratively) and to assure that products, goods and resources get to where they need to be,” he adds.

Furthermore, by demonstrating their services in action and underlining their core values, they have sent out a message about how logistics can help them to make a difference in the world. Lastly, starting from disaster relief efforts to helping small businesses grow, logistics is all about making lives easier for people.

Members can check out Warelog’s video by clicking here.

Congratulations to Warelog and all the best for their upcoming projects!

Neon Freight moves to a new office

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Their new office located in Knutsford is around 14 miles southwest of Manchester

On the occasion of its anniversary, Neon Freight, a Coop member in Manchester, United Kingdom, has recently moved into a brand new location. “We are delighted to inform members that we have changed our office address. We are now just south of Manchester airport in Knutsford, Cheshire. Indeed right at the end of the runway of Manchester airport”, says Ian Mallon, the Managing Director of Neon Freight.”

The office of Neon Freight is located in Hurstwood House a 2-storey self-contained office block. Moreover, the office is well-located and comes with excellent motorway access to both the M6 and M56, the latter giving easy access to Manchester Airport. “These purpose built, modern offices give us exactly what we are looking for to kick start our next stage of growth in the business. Furthermore, they give us the space to grow and attract new team members too” continues Ian Mallon.

Neon Freight - Cooperative Logistics Network
New office of Neon Freight

 

Additionally, the estate provides a business park environment close to Tatton Country Park, whilst Manchester International Airport is just 9 miles away from the site.

“Along with moving closer to Manchester airport in a much larger office, we are putting into place the foundations for future growth”, Mr Mallon continues. “The next few years are promising to be very exciting indeed!”

Congratulations to Neon Freight and all the best for their upcoming projects!