The transport and logistics Industry plays a major role in the growth of the regional economies. Transporters and freight forwarders played a key role to ensure all national economies were supported to remain interdependent. The outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID 19) pandemic threatened this critical sector following introduction of numerous restrictions on almost all modes of human and cargo transport in a bid to contain the spread of the virus. Most of the EAC partner states went into lock down to contain the spread. Despite this, movement of cargo across borders was not stopped. This made it possible for cargo planes and trucks to continue moving across borders.
Unfortunately, movement of cargo across borders is slowly become a major channel for the spread of
COVID-19 threatening to erode the progress made in all countries. This led to more stringent measures having been instituted including relay driving, testing of truck drivers and offloading cargo at border points among others. More continue to be introduced.
FEAFFA appreciated self-policing and has therefore been working on several initiatives to ensure the industry is able to direct, police and monitor itself through generally accepted operating procedures. The industry also realized its incredibly unique nature making it difficult to plug and play the numerous procedures currently in place. In view of this, FEAFFA developed industry focused Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to guide industry players within East Africa to continue providing the essential freight logistics services while maintaining the highest health and safety standards against the COVID-19. The Standard Operating Procedures guided day-to-day operations of industry players with focus on customs agents and freight forwarders warehouses, inland container depots, truckers, and related offices.
Finalize development of the draft Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for cargo transporters and freight forwarders in East Africa.
The FEAFFA COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were developed and distributed among various stakeholders within the customs clearing and freight forwarding industry in East Africa.