By SHARIDAN M. ALI
PORT KLANG: Port Klang may not be ready to reduce the free storage period for containers to three from five days at its terminals based on its three-month trial run, said Selangor Freight Forwarders and Logistics Association (SFFLA).
Mooted in 2002, the implementation of the shorter free storage period to improve efficiency has been postponed several times as the industry needed time to adapt to the new regulations.
But with the trial run supposed to end on March 31, SFFLA acting president Alvin Chua viewed that the industry was still not ready.
“Standard operating procedures for players in the supply chain still do not make the new ruling viable. Furthermore, certain players such as container depot operators need to improve their level of services before the new ruling can be officially implemented.
“From the trial run, about 85% of import and export containers have been able to meet the three-day free storage period.
“Although the 15% of the containers that exceeded the three-day period seems small, it will translate into RM50mil of extra charges for containers to be stored at the ports,” he told StarBiz after the launching of the new wing of Wisma SFFLA and the signing of memorandum of agreement (MOA) between SFFLA and Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (Utar) yesterday.
The event was officiated by Transport Ministry secretary-general Datuk Yap Kin Sian.
Port Klang handles about three million export and import boxes annually. Chua said the MOA with Utar was for a collaboration to come up with the foundation or certificate level modules for specialised sectors in the logistics and maritime industry for fresh school leavers.
“It will be ready by September and the courses will be conducted at Utar facility. SFFLA trainers will be responsible for providing ‘hard-skills’ know-how of the industry to the students.
“Eventually, our aim is to expand the courses to diploma and degree level,” he said, adding that this was another milestone for SFFLA which had been offering professional logistics courses for working adults in the industry.
On Wisma SFFLA’s new wing, Chua said it was an expansion of its training room facility for working adults.
To date, SFFLA has conducted 10 foundation courses for 224 candidates.
Source: The Star
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