News
Japan International Freight Forwarders Association Inc. (JIFFA) convened its seventh annual general assembly on June 14, at which it agreed on its business plan for fiscal 2018 (April 2018-March 2019). The business plan is made up of 17 important items, which include human resource development and education activities, such as courses for qualifying international multimodal transport specialists, intensive courses for teaching the international multimodal transport business, workshops for young and mid-career employees and language classes. JIFFA will also strive to popularize its JIFFA MT B/L and other transport documents, consider organizing logistics seminars and take actions to comply with a revised Commercial Code.
Yutaka Ito, chairman of JIFFA, held a press conference after the general assembly, announcing the association had welcomed 17 new members for a total of 494 now. Including supporting members, its membership has grown to consist of 519 freight forwarders and relevant organizations, he added. “The leading factor was the advancement of shippers’ globalization,” said the chairman. “At the same time, it is because JIFFA’s business activities are [more deeply] understood.” “Now that our foundation has been further reinforced, I feel more responsible for fulfilling our missions,” he added.
In reaction to developments among shippers, a growing number of freight forwarding services is expanding from Japan to overseas. As for cargo volumes moved by non-vessel operating common carriers (NVOCCs), as such, “JIFFA members handed 9.3% more export shipments in fiscal 2017 (April 2017-March 2018) [than in fiscal 2016],” said Ito. “The total [of exports and imports] was brisk, too, growing 3.2% to 115.73 million tons.” He anticipated that freight movement will remain robust thanks to favorable environments, saying the economy is generally stable, although there are uncertainties internationally, and that recent group formations and other reorganizations and integrations among shipping companies have almost come to an end.
“Our members are working to meet customer demand not only by simply providing NVOCC services, but by combining rail, air and other modes of services,” said the JIFFA chairman. “An increasing number of them are striving to fulfill their primary missions and satisfy primary needs as freight forwarders.” He also analyzed the present of international logistics. “Forwarders are beginning to capitalize on their strengths from a different angle from shipping companies,” he said. “Job offered through forwarders, not directly to shipping lines, are increasing.” Ito pointed out that a shortage of workers is a major challenge to overcome for freight forwarders as well. Although different forwarders are in different situations, JIFFA will investigate and understand the situation to make efforts to improve it, he said, adding that it will have discussions with governmental organizations whenever necessary.
