Freight forwarders and their role in Intermodal Transport

Freight forwarders and their role in Intermodal Transport UNECE Working Party on Intermodal Transport and Logistics (WP. 24) 2014 -11 -11 Tommy Pilarp, Senior Legal Counsel 1

The role of the Freight Forwarders facilitates trade by acting for or on behalf of the cargo owner Acts as the ”transport buyer” / ”shipper” towards the carrier 2

The role of the Freight Forwarder The Forwarder recognizes that : Each segment or part (of a) transport is vital and of crucial importance for the transport chain to work as efficient as possible Ø If this is not achieved, the benefits of multimodal transport might be ignored and only one mode used for the transport as a whole But does legislators ? 3

The role of the Freight Forwarder The Forwarder further recognizes that : Each segment should not be seen as ‘ancillary’ to another sector Ø But as an equally important part of the transport chain as a whole But again, does legislators ? 4

The role of the Freight Forwarder In the eye of the forwarder…… Restrictions in one mode of transport Ø Creates efficiency losses Ø Creates an imbalance and uneven playing field Ø Might make this mode impracticable or impossible Ø And thus opted out of……… 5

The role of the Freight Forwarder Ø Different modes of transport does not ‘steal’ cargo from other Ø What is practicable in each situation must be decisive ü It has to work and make sense ü Otherwise it will be opted out of…. . 6

The role of the Freight Forwarder Ø Existing infrastructure, operating conditions, interpretations and implementations vary between different nations – and sometimes even within one nation…. . Ø Transport solutions need to be seamless and work for cross-border traffic Ø Otherwise it will be opted out of…… 7

The role of the Freight Forwarder The forwarder Ø Creates a legal / contractual relationship between the actual carrier and the Cargo owner Ø Creates a legal / contractual relationship between the Forwarder and the actual carrier and between the Forwarder and the Cargo owner Depending on his legal status 8

The role of the Freight Forwarder In Intermodal transport Ø The Forwarder may contract with one carrier for the entire transport (involving multiple modes of transport) Or, …… Ø The Forwarder could contract with one carrier separately for each mode of transport 9

Final words of the Freight Forwarder In Intermodal transport TRANSPORT IS TRANSPORT Ø Regardless of mode of transport Or at least it should be…… 10

Final words of the Freight Forwarder In Intermodal transport So the most efficient solution that works and make sense will be chosen by the forwarder Really – it’s that simple 11

Thank you for your attention Tommy Pilarp, Secretary General Senior Legal Counsel, LL M Swedish International Freight Association (SIFA) Telephone + 46 (8) 762 71 76 + 46 (0) 73 044 71 76 E-mail: tommy. pilarp@transportgruppen. se 12