Freight firms join forces to speak out

The Government has a new lobby group to deal with from the transport industry.

The International Forwarders Association will give the industry's views to the Government and co-ordinate responses to industry issues.

Brian Broom, managing director of DHL Danzas Air and Ocean, is the president and Troy Hageman, managing director of Kuehne and Nagel, the vice-president.

Their two companies are the biggest freight forwarders in the world.

John Sargent, a director of Mondiale Freight Services, is the secretary.

Senior managers of the 12 companies that have joined the association will meet monthly.

Top of the agenda are concerns about the skills shortage and the cost and practical implementation of security measures being imposed on air and ocean freight movers.

The group is working with the Manukau City Council and Work and Income on an employment scheme that offers training and work experience to unemployed people in South Auckland, where many freight forwarders are based.

"We have to have a combined industry voice," said Broom.

There had been no industry group to consult about regulatory and other changes which affected freight forwarders and their customers.

Interruptions to workflow from the x-raying of containers was a pressing issue for the group.

Another issue was a new charge for security, levied per ship and per aircraft.

Security on the movement of goods has tightened around the world because of the rise of terrorism.

Broom said that despite the challenges, members had an average 10 per cent growth in sales in the year to last December.