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Vol. 16 No. 52	Thursday June 8, 2017

Marco Sorgetti and Hans Kersten

“Welcome to FIATA,” declared FIATA Director General Marco Sorgetti (left) as former UIC Freight Director Hans Günther Kersten (right) was selected as Mr. Sorgetti’s successor. Kersten will serve as FIATA Deputy Director General until Marco retires in September.
  I am sure a person with your professional background will add another layer of accomplishments in the long list of extraordinary achievements of this association,” said Marco.
  Hans Günther Kersten studied Business Administration, Economics and Law at the University of Cologne, Germany.
  Herr Kersten began his career as an associate at Oppenhoff & Rädler (later merged with Linklaters).
  For the last 18 years, Hans Günther has worked for Deutsche Bahn in various senior management positions.
  Herr Kersten will be present at the FIATA World Congress in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, October 4-8, 2017. The event is open to everyone.
  For more information, click here.
Geoffrey

     Marco Leonardo Sorgetti is an individual everybody knows and relies upon at FIATA. As director general, and in reality the overseer of events and agendas, in the broadest sense, he is the single individual who holds things together.
      Although he is always soft spoken and leaves the headline news to others in the organization, Marco is an artisan at his work; smart, steadfast, and thoroughly committed to the task of gently guiding FIATA to greatness by working hand in glove with each successive generation.
      For example, although FIATA had much on the line at its 55th Annual Congress in Dublin in October 2016, Marco, while supporting and working very closely with the organizers of the event, left most of the hosting and details up to the local cargo organization, as is tradition in FIATA.
      It’s a subtle but important fact that FIATA makes a regular habit of developing an empowering culture with its myriad organizations located in countries all over the world.

About Marco

      Marco turned 64 on August 28, 2016. He was born in Torino, Italy, where he earned his sheepskin graduating from Liceo Massimo d’Azeglio of Torino in 1971.
      His further studies included university training in languages and foreign literatures in Turin in 1978.
      He was awarded a Certificate as Expert in Transport and Transport Insurance by the Chamber of Commerce of Turin in 1986.

Why Does FIATA Matter

      We asked Marco about FIATA and his answer was straight from the hip:
      “FIATA matters because it is the only organization in the world that can stand tall in representing the mission and knowledge of freight forwarders and logistics service providers at all levels of the global market. FIATA has a strong voice; it is historical, democratic, widespread, and, pardon me for being immodest, well managed.
      “The organization has a spotless reputation and it does treasure impartiality and independence of judgment.
      “It is charitable, as we have seen with the Ebola fund, and considerate, as we see with its training programs.
      “FIATA promotes better business, integrity, good standards, efficiency, and loyalty.
      “This does not mean that all our members are saints by definition, but all freight forwarders who want to be proud of their job should become FIATA Members and contribute to these objectives.
      “FIATA is one for all and all for one.”

Little Into Big

      “I first came to FIATA as a very small forwarder from Turin, which was not even one of the big hubs in the world.
      “At FIATA nobody knew me, but I was always given the floor to express my views when I raised my hand and wanted to ask questions or make comments.
      “Nobody cared if I was big, small, rich, or poor.
      “I had a voice in FIATA regardless of my origins and conditions.
      ‘This is a pretty unique environment and not easy to copy for anyone in the world, where only big personalities and big money get a podium.
      “FIATA is beyond that, everybody is somebody at FIATA and that is what matters.
      “I would be happy if there were two FIATAs, as we could then have some serious competition, but there is only one.
      “We do challenge each other sufficiently, even inside the one and only FIATA.”

If Not FIATA Then What?

      Although Marco excels in (pardon the pun) forwarding the large, diverse group of FIATA today, he reveals a passion for psychology and astrophysics.
      “These have been my hidden passions all these years and I plan to start on Astrophysics when I retire.
      “I had given some thought to becoming a shrink, but it is probably better like this.
      ‘This is probably why everybody is trying to drive me mad,” Marco laughed.
      What you like about Marco right away is that he is a good listener with a wealth of ideas, and he is always willing to share. He is also one of us—a freight forwarder who, luckily for FIATA, pivoted in Turin to organized air cargo.
      “I was a practicing freight forwarder in Turin and, being a bit restless, entered the area of freight forwarder associations quite early, out of sheer curiosity.
      “Eventually I became the president of the Turin Association (APSACI) and continued on the path by cooperating with the Italian federation (FEDESPEDI) and CONFETRA. At that time I started getting an eye into FIATA and in 1992 when the congress was held in Florence I made my debut by transforming an argument over the dining table with the European Chairman into a self-promoting session for Turin and myself.
      “We have been on good terms ever since,” Marco smiles.
      “After 1992, I attended almost all FIATA Congresses, with few exceptions.
      “When I sold my company in 2000 I worked for the President of FEDESPEDI and when the opportunity later came I sent my resume to CLECAT, the EU-level association of freight forwarders’ federations.
      “After a three-tier selection, I was chosen as director.
      “When my predecessor retired from FIATA, I submitted my application and was chosen as director of FIATA in 2011.
      “I started here on January 1, 2012, so it is now over six years.”

Marco and Malaysian Sect. Of Transport

     The next stop for the FIATA annual World Congress is Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, October 4-8, 2017.
     At the FIATA World Congress 2016 in Dublin, Marco discusses the upcoming congress with Malaysian Minister of Transport Dato’ Sri Liow Tiong Lai.
     The Minister affirmed that "Malaysia is eager and looking forward to welcoming FIATA to Kuala Lumpur."

Comparing Forwarders Around The World

      FIATA is as diverse as can be imagined, with more than 40,000 member organizations from around the world. We wonder how various parts of that global group differ, but also how they are the same.
      Marco has an immediate answer, saying:
      “One could say, ‘they are all flying’ and perhaps that is correct; however, my impression is that their cultural differences tend to fade away when they talk business, as the air rules are probably the most unifying set of rules that exist in the world.
      “By definition, aircraft must take off and land according to the same rules all over the world, and there is little time for differences; it has also been established last as mode of transport and that gives airfreight the benefit of having to deal with the shortest legacies.”

Completely Satisfied By The Airlines

“Completely is a very ambitious word,” Marco gently chides.
“There is always something that one can wish for, but in general airlines play a role that is irreplaceable in international trade and in my view they work at their best where their relationship with freight forwarders works well.”

Is FIATA/IATA On The Right Track?

“With the FIATA/IATA accord (signed in Dublin at the FIATA World Congress in October 2016) on the rules forwarders and airlines will adhere to in the next few years, my impression is that IATA is on track, but I daresay so is FIATA.
“The hope is now we will see our relationship advance on many fronts, including, for example, on IT communication standards. There are still too many problems in this area.”

On Air Cargo Security

      “The British say that the proof is in the pudding.
      “Contrary to expectation, our biggest threats (and sadly, incidents) seem not to come from the ‘bomb in the box.’
      “We sadly learned not long ago how much easier it is to create havoc without even coming close to the aircraft.
      “Air cargo security is important and I personally think it has reached an acceptable level, with some room for improvement, in particular in the efficiency of the process to manage the information stream.
      “But the boundaries of security seem to expand continuously.”

Does Management Recognize Air Cargo?

      “In general, I think it is true.
      “Especially as compared to, say, 25 years ago, when many operators, in particular in certain markets, considered airfreight a sort of ‘pain relief’ if something else was going wrong, rather than an effective way to handle the supply chain.
      “Things have changed and more and more goods privilege air transportation; however, this also brought considerable issues in addressing sustainability.
      “On balance I find corporate management more aware and more informed about the resources and the challenges.”

What's Ahead For FIATA?

      “Well, FIATA started this debate a couple years ago.
      “But in 2017, for a 91-year-old lady, FIATA has come up with a trove of proposals that we will try and put in place.
      “There is enough to do for a couple of lifetimes, including much more services to members and much more traveling to the advocacy hubs in the world on the agenda.
      “We cannot pass the opportunities that the developments in Trade Facilitation will offer in the next 5 to 10 years.
      “In my view, TF (hand-in-hand with security), IT standards, and innovative financial services will top our agendas.”

Relaxation Time

      “I relax when I get home, sit on my balcony, look at my plants and flowers, and everything becomes peaceful. I read a lot and I love gardening. I love music, especially rock music and Vivaldi. I am also doing a lot of word games in Italian (this is called rebus).
      “Other than Turin, where I was born and which remains in my heart with breathtaking, snow-white mountains surrounding it completely, I think New York is the most spectacular place I have ever seen.
      “The first time I landed in New York it was sunset and we were flying above the skyscrapers against a red sun: it was memorable.
      “Today I guess this is almost commonplace in many countries, but back then Dubai was a village and Shanghai was not a place on the tour operators’ lists.
      “But even today New York remains what it has always been—the dream of your young years.
      “Nothing can ever quite match or replace that feeling.”

Great Restaurants

      “I like to dine in small, remote, and authentic restaurants in the countryside and for this kind of relish, Italy is pretty unique, Piedmont in particular. I have a list of these places, but I am jealous, plus the normally rather old owners are inconsiderate and keep dying: it is a disaster if you want to suggest a favorite restaurant.
      “All this culinary tradition comes from a long ago past which almost does not exist anymore, where the language is local and mysterious. An incomprehensible combination of passion and restraint, with women who can show the greatest hatred of one another just by sitting quietly side-by-side and exchanging smiles.
      “The food must be good then.”

Great Hotel

“I am not fussy about hotels. All I need is a good Internet connection and a relatively hard bed, but I must say I was impressed with the Mandarin Oriental in Kuala Lumpur. They really took very good care of us and the infrastructure is second to none.”

Marco sorgetti Why Join FIATA?

      “Being a FIATA member is a sign of your intention to embrace better business rules if you are a freight forwarder, and it is a sign of your intention to approach good, law abiding, and professional operators if you are another entity connected with logistics, trade, and customs, even if you are not directly involved in logistics services.
      “The FIATA logo is the sign that you have considered the applicable rules in your country, that you wish to belong to a community of operators that try to treat one another with respect and efficiency.
      “Joining FIATA costs very little money, but it requires an uplifting mental process; FIATA members are always invited to take account of the simple integrity and compliance rules we promote.
      “Dealing with a FIATA member means dealing with somebody who has thought about its work at high profile and would do its best to remain in that league.
      “Being a FIATA member is about trying to be good and showing that you are trying to be good,” Marco Sorgetti concluded.
Geoffrey

India Afghan Deal Leapfrogs Pakistan

Starting on June 15, the first lot of Afghan goods will leave Kabul for New Delhi. According to a statement from the Afghanistan Presidential Palace on June 1, that will see the movement of goods by air on the Afghanistan-India air corridor.

Open Initiative

The Afghanistan-India air corridor plan was conceived at Amritsar last December and entered a working stage on May 31, when a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the CEOs of Ariana Airlines and Afghanistan Chambers of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) in the presence of Ajmal Ahmady, senior economic advisor to the President of Afghanistan and other officials.

Cargo Leads The Way

     After the MoU, Ariana CEO Captain Nadir Omar announced the dates for the first two cargo flights to New Delhi: the first flight from Kabul to Delhi is on June 15 and the second from Kandahar to Delhi is on June 20.
     The Afghanistan government-funded air corridor program will help the private sector export their goods to India by air.
      In fact, Indian government sources have confirmed that plans had been chalked out to open not only a route between Kabul and Delhi, but also one between Kandahar and Amritsar. Incidentally, both routes will bypass Pakistan.
     The plans follow Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani’s decision on the sidelines of the Sixth Ministerial Conference of the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process or HoA-IP (part of a 14-nation process begun in 2011 to facilitate the development and security of Afghanistan) held in Amritsar in the beginning of December last year.

Indian Supermarket

Pakistan Closure Drives Deal

      The move to bypass Pakistan followed the realization that hampered trade would continue because of the political relations with Pakistan.
      A Reuters report about the Modi-Ghani meeting quoted Indian officials saying that the air cargo link would “boost the growth prospects of its fruit and carpet industries while (Afghanistan) battles a deadly Taliban insurgency.”
      The border between Pakistan and Afghanistan was closed in February this year after Pakistan claimed terrorists were using bases in Afghanistan.
      Pakistan closed its land route with Afghanistan citing border problems along the Durand Line.
      This prompted the Afghan government to tie-up with Delhi for airlifting fresh produce and fruits.
      According to ACCI, Pakistan’s closure of land routes caused immense losses to Afghan exporters.
      ACCI reported that around 40-50 percent of fresh fruits exported from Afghanistan landed in the Indian market.

Road To Nowhere

      There is a land route for trade between Afghanistan and India and it is controlled through the Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA), which allows Afghan trucks access to the Wagah border (near Amritsar in India).
      While Afghan goods are offloaded onto Indian trucks, APTTA does not permit loading Indian goods onto trucks for transit back to Afghanistan.

Nix Tax Aircraft At The Ready

      For its part, India has exempted Afghan produce from taxes.
      ACCI Deputy Chief Khan Jan Alokozay said the Indian government was also willing to provide planes to transport Afghanistan’s fresh fruits to India in emergency situations.
      According to the Afghan news agency, Khaama Press, the air link decision came at a time when “the main land transit route remains blocked along Durand Line located near Chaman.
      “The gate was closed after Pakistani officials claimed some of the Afghan demonstrators attacked the check post in Friendship Gate and set the Pakistani flag on fire.
      “Numerous attempts have been made to resolve the issue and reopen the crossing but no breakthrough has been made so far. Earlier, tensions intensified between the two countries on several occasions during the past, mainly due to the establishment of gates and other installations.”
      In April this year, Afghanistan complained to the World Trade Organization (WTO) about Pakistan’s “unilateral” blocking of the Durand Line and mentioned that the move had choked trade and caused damages of up to $90 million.
      “The measures taken by the government of Pakistan at the entry points at the Durand line, border with Afghanistan, were tantamount to a total ban of trade between the two countries,” Dr. Suraya Dalil, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Afghanistan to the UN office at Geneva, told the WTO Council for Trade in Goods.

All About Upping Trade

      Today, there is little trade between India and Afghanistan.
     India’s bilateral trade with Afghanistan was $684.47 million in 2014-15, an increase of 0.20 percent over $683.10 million a year earlier, and 20.41 percent higher than $568.44 million in 2010-11.
      India’s exports to Afghanistan in 2014-15 were valued at $422.56 million, while its imports from that country were worth $261.91 million.

Air India Freighter Moves

Air India has, in fact, increased capacity to Kabul by pressing into service a Boeing 747-400 craft on select days in the coming weeks, primarily to ferry cargo. The airline currently flies four times weekly using an Airbus 320. In a bid to clear the pending cargo, the Boeing 747-400 craft would be deployed to fly on seven days during May and June. An Air India official said that the 747 can accommodate at least 40 tons of cargo.
Tirthankar Ghosh

PumpingTraffic

Constellation at Hahn

   Frankfurt-based ACD Aircargo Club Germany has planned one more meeting before closing down its regular monthly meetings for summer break 2017.
    On June 13, “The Group” takes a sentimental journey with a look ahead. From 16 to 1900 hours, conferees will meet at Frankfurt Hahn and catch up on the latest activities of the gateway, which is still seeking its greater future.
    Not that there has been bad news from “The Hahn” lately, as John Kohlsaat reported a 41 percent rise in first quarter cargo business to 23,700 tons.
    While those numbers may not set the world on fire, the figures are headed in the right direction.
    Looking ahead, ACD meets on September 12 from 16:00-19:30 at LSG, Jean-Gardner-Batten-Strasse 5 (Gateway Gardens) at
    Frankfurt am Main.
    More: http://www.aircargoclub.de/en/

Doha

    The news Monday that Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Egypt, and the Maldives broke off diplomatic and trade relations with Qatar—accusing the country of supporting terrorism—has been described as “the worst diplomatic crisis to hit Gulf Arab States in decades.”

Alexandre de Juniac
    On Tuesday IATA Director General Alexandre de Juniac spoke up, urging Gulf countries that have cut ties with Qatar to restore services.
    “Of course we accept that countries have the right to close their borders.
    “But connectivity with Qatar must be restored as quickly as possible,” the IATA DG told Agence France-Presse at the IATA annual meetings being held this week in Cancun, Mexico.
    “We hope the crisis will disappear and aviation will go back to normal,” Abdul Wahab Teffaha, head of the Arab Air Carriers Organization, told AFP in Cancun.

USA Interests Weigh In

    U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said he does not expect the action to sever ties with Qatar will have a significant effect on the fight against terrorism.
    Secretary Tillerson, who moved over to the U.S. State Department after serving as CEO of Exxon/Mobil, also said he hopes the nations will “sort out their differences.”
    In addition to the presence of more than 10,000 Americans at the Udeid Air Base, from which more than 100 aircraft operate, on April 25 the U.S. Department of Energy gave its approval for export of domestically produced LNG by Golden Pass Products, a joint Qatar (70 percent) and Exxon Mobile (30 percent) company.
    The 20-year deal allows Golden Pass Products to export up to 2.21 billion cubic feet of LNG per day from the U.S. (Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Georgia, and Maryland) to non free-trade agreement countries.
    That activity reportedly will create 45,000 new jobs over the next five years and position the U.S. to become the dominant LNG exporter in the world.

    Hands across the table…
    Delta and Aeromexico have been partners for 22 years.
    Now, with regulatory approval, Delta can launch a cash tender offer for acquisition of up to 49 percent of Grupo Aeromexico S.A.B. de C.V., capital stock.
    While all of that is underway, air cargo at both carriers is moving swiftly to combine services and cut costs.

Rafael Figueroa and Gareth Joyce
    “By working together on the cargo side we can really provide a seamless logistics experience in the U.S. and Mexico,” said Gareth Joyce, (R) Delta’s President – Cargo & Senior Vice President – Airport Customer Service.
    Rafael Figueroa, (L) CEO Aeromexico Cargo, added: “Aeromexico and Delta as partners have the largest, most comprehensive and expanding air cargo network in the U.S.-Mexico market.”
    The agreement will coordinate flight and combine trucking options and also integrate technologies.
    The carriers are launching joint sales and marketing initiatives in both countries and also cohabiting warehouses in Mexico, Boston, New York-JFK, Miami, San Francisco, and Chicago, with Orlando and Detroit opening later this summer, the airlines said.
    In a related development, Delta said it added DASH Critical & Medical to San Francisco (SFO) on June 1, 2017.

Watch our very own Anthony Atamanuik as he interviews former President Andrew Jackson about the Civil War (above left)) and tune into The President Show every Thursday night at 11:30pm on Comedy Central.

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