e-Logistics is the future: Alvin Chua
Alvin Chua, President, Federation of Malaysian Freight Forwarders, in an exclusive interview gives insight on scope and offerings the Malaysian logistics trade has to offer and how e-logistics is the future.
How is the theme of FIATA World Congress 2017 connected to the supply chain sector globally?
The theme logistics bridging global trade is very apt as it transcends national boundaries and it is logistics that actually connects the trading nations. The theme actually describes logistics as an integral part of the global supply chain. It highlights the importance and role of logistics in global supply chains. The e- logistics is the future of logistics. It is very important that our future generation looks into the ‘E’ part of the logistics.
How do you aim to promote local freight forwarders through FWC 2017?
For the congress in Malaysia we created an ‘app’ specialised in scheduling one-on-one meetings. We had already arranged over 500 meetings through the app. FWC 2017 is a timely and also the best platform to promote our local freight forwarders. We placed huge emphasis on the B2B meetings so that local freight forwarders could explore and grasp opportunities to form corresponding agents network, mergers & acquisitions opportunities or set up J/V with foreign partners. The event allowed them to be here at minimal costs to meet up with many international freight forwarders under one roof.
How will FWC 2017 help Malaysian logistics trade fraternity in boosting business?
As said earlier, the local logistics fraternity will definitely have many opportunities to explore business collaboration with the international community. I believe many members would have had some successful collaboration.
Enumerate the offerings the Malaysian logistics industry has for the international trade.
Many of our members are niche services providers and total logistics services providers with strong regional footprint, including some with international presence. Such companies may be open to business collaboration in other regional and international markets where they are seeking to set up their business. This event brought together delegates from 77 countries and offered great opportunities to these delegates to tie up with our local freight forwarders. Other offerings include well built up logistics companies that were well run, some were public listed companies and ready for consolidation and diversification to new markets.
The Congress moves to India in 2018. India is very important market and we are looking forward to do a lot of work with the Indian market. A big delegation from Malaysia will be attending FIATA Congress in 2018.
Elucidate on the facilities the two ports, which were ranked as 12th and 17thamong the world’s top 20 container ports, provide.
Both Port Klang and Port of Tanjung Pelepas are ports with world class facilities. These ports have drafts to take in ships of more than 15000 TeUs and can turn around the biggest vessels within 10-12 hours turnaround and within their expectations. Whilst Port Klang has facilities for other types of cargo, PTP only handles containers.
In 2017, Port Klang handled more than 13 million TeUs, while PTP handled over 9 million TeUs. They are constantly on supply driven capacity building to ensure sufficient capacity for containers and backed by sufficient gantry cranes, container yards, RTGs and ancillary equipment.
Both ports are ready for additional volumes at any time and handle bigger vessels.
Both Port Klang and Port of Tanjung Pelepas are ports with world class facilities. These ports have drafts to take in ships of more than 15000 TeUs