MBR APRIL 2017 LOW RES

Malta Business Review
From my standpoint, the Maltese Logistical
Sector is stagnant and has been dormant
for a while. Import and Export figures keep
recurring year, in year out. We are not
seeing any substantial growth, especially
with regards the Maltese Exports. Hence this
sector is becoming ever more challenging
and cut-throat for both local and overseas
businesses.
Fuel prices and Climate Change: Fluctuations
in fuel prices have a direct impact on logistical
companies. There is an increasing global focus
on climate change with new environmental
regulations affecting such businesses.
This requires companies to revisit strategic
plans and to understand the issues that are
likely to create or destroy value.
Increased Competition: Competition in the
market is ever increasing, not only from
new small businesses, but also from the
SPECIAL FEATURE: TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS
THE CHALLENGES that the local T&L sector
is facing and recommendations from GFS
By Michael Quattromani
consolidation of larger companies. This has
resulted in significant pressure on prices and
therefore lower margins. Companies are
therefore trying to differentiate themselves
by offering a diversified portfolio of services
and by building a reputable brand.
Having said that, the Maltese T&L (Transport
& Logistics) sector has to start thinking
outside the box. Why are we only looking at
developing the factual hubbing concept? It is
a welcome idea however one has to envisage
the constraints that our island offers. Could
be the reason why we are not seeing any
substantial interest?
The Multimodal concept is picking up
momentum and we see that transit times to/
from China to Europe is creating an increase
in demand. Although pricing is still on the high
side companies are seeing the transit time
from 35 days reduced to half!
GFS Building (mrA009) industrial estate, marsa, mrS 3000 - malta
Special
Feature
tel:
To
+356
counteract
2122 1229 F: +356
we
2122
are
3076
seeing
e: info@gfs.com.mt
shipping lines
form alliances offering less grounds for
negotiation on their pricing to ensure their
survival and not a recurrence of the Hanjin
experience.
Nevertheless, there is always light at the end
of the tunnel and one has to look deeper into
what Malta can offer. We have seen success
stories within the Gaming Industry and
Financial Services and Ship Registries under
the Maltese Flag. Can this be replicated within
the T&L sector?
I would answer in the affirmative. With the
help of the constituent bodies and an open
mind local business must make it attractive
for such companies to consider.
The Maltese are at the forefront within
the Services Sector, is it time to put heads
together, put our differences aside and work
to develop the T&L industry which in reality
is a back bone to the economy. Without T&L
we would not have food on our table, cars
to drive and fuel, clothes to wear. The list is
endless.
GFS (Global Freight Solutions Ltd) is an
emerging Freight Forwarder, young Dynamic
and at the forefront. Logistics is our Expertise.
We can offer any type of T&L, including
services by multimodal such as the train
services to and from China / Russia mainland
to /from mainland Europe including Malta.
MBR
Groupage Container to Libya – Call us for
our favourable rates
GFS Building (MRA009), Industrial Estate,
Marsa MRS 3000, Malta, Tel: +356 2122
1229 / +356 2122 3076
Special
Feature
SPECIAL FEATURE: TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS
• FCL and LCL Consolidations
• FTL and LTL Consolidations
• Airfreight – IATA Qualified
Personnel
ROAD SAFETY
• Imports / Exports on Door to
Door; Door to Air/Port and Air/
Port to Air/Port Basis
• In House Customs Clearance
for both Imports and Exports
• Freight Forwarding “Road safety is a shared responsibility, and be draining our economies around 100 billion
• Project Cargo the Valletta declaration sets out clear roles to euro every year,” Minister Mizzi added.
• Special Cargo the European Commission, member states,
• Conference Logistics Handling
“Road safety is indeed a grave concern to us
industry and civil society, and establishes an
• Personal Effects
ambitious road safety target for reducing
all, but we are encouraged that past target
• Courier Service to/from Malta
the number of serious injuries between now
setting has led to some positive results. But
and 2030. It is only by a concerted effort and
so much more needs to be done. Throughout
www.gfs.com.mt
cooperation between all stakeholders that we the Maltese Presidency of the Council of the
can hope to achieve these targets.”
European Union, we have placed European
road safety at the very top of our six-month
Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Joe agenda, and we have worked tirelessly with
Mizzi declared this during the opening of officials from DG-Move and with all of the
the High Level Stakeholder and Ministerial EU member states to prepare an important
Conference about Road Safety during Malta’s ministerial declaration on improving road
Presidency of the Council of the European
safety.”
Union.
Transport Ministers adopt the Valletta
EU Commissioner for Transport and Mobility
Declaration on Road Safety
Violeta Bulc, and the UN’s Special Envoy for
Road Safety Jean Todt were also present Transport Ministers of the Member States
for this High Level Conference, where road of the European Union meeting in Valletta
safety stakeholders met the Presidency, under the patronage of the Maltese
the EU Commission, and the European Presidency of the Council of the European
Parliament with the aim of proposing actions Union reconfirmed their commitment to
to improve road safety. The conclusions from improving road safety by endorsing the
this stakeholder meeting will be presented to Valletta Declaration on Road Safety.
Transport Ministers tomorrow.
With this declaration, Transport Ministers
Minister Mizzi said that road safety is multifaceted
subject, and there are many different measures necessary to reduce the number
have agreed to continue to reinforce
measures that will contribute to reducing the of road deaths in the the UE by 2020 from
number of deaths and injuries on our roads.
the 2010 basline, and enhance cooperation
“Road traffic accidents also come at a high between Member States—including relevant
price for our countries, in terms of their high authorities, civil society, research institutes
financial, societal, environmental and health and the private sector—in particular with
costs. In fact, across the European Union, road regard to road safety plans and strategies
accident deaths and injuries are estimated to following a risk-based or an integrated
EU Commissioner for Transport and Mobility Violeta Bulc, and the UN’s Special Envoy for Road Safety Jean Todt, High Level Conference
Malta Business Review
Chair of the TRAN Committee (European
Parliament) Karima Delli deliver the welcome
address at the Maritime Session during the ‘High
Level Stakeholders Road Safety and Maritime
Conference’, held at Corinthia Palace, Attard.
approach.
They have also agreed to improve the
safety of road users by developing safer
road infrastructure, engage with relevant
stakeholders on the possibility of expanding
and integrating reduced speed limits, such
as 30 km/h in high-risk areas, in particular
areas where people work, cycle and play, and
to continue developing measures to ensure
post-collision care, early rehabilitation and
social re-integration of road traffic accident
victims, in cooperation with relevant public
policy stakeholders.
Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Joe
Mizzi said that the message is that Europe’s
top political leaders from all the EU member
states and from the European Parliament, as
well as high-level officials of the European
Commission and the United Nations, are firmly
and collectively committed to significantly
reducing the number deaths and serious
injuries on our roads. “I can confidently state
that road safety is once again at the top of the
agenda across Europe,” he said.
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