It was the first time such gathering happened for the palm oil transporters and organiser Sidhu Brothers were happy with the participation. Jimmy Sidhu stressed that although Sidhu Brothers are organising the event they are not representing the industry or are intending to be the main beneficiary of the event "We simply want to take a step forward to improve our industry. We only facilitate", Jimmy Sidhu told us in a conversation prior to the event.
"If others have associations to represent their industry, there is no reason why we can't do the same. After all, palm oil is the second biggest contributor to Malaysia's GDP", one participant present said. In total, there are over 3 000 tanker trailers in Malaysia moving palm oil. According to the palm oil transporters, there are many issues that need to be addressed. Palm Oil Theft has now moved from operations in hot-spots to hi-jacking of entire trailers. Participants at the gathering reported that on average two complete trailers filled with palm oil are being hijacked per month. In August, three tanker trailers were stolen.
Rising cost and issues with discrepancies of deliveries are additional problems that were mentioned. The latter stems from the fact that weighbridges are not calibrated or monitored by independent bodies. Every tanker is weighed at each mill (loading)and refinery (unloading). The shortage is contributed from; a)WB variances, mill & refinery WB inaccuracy b)tanker skin losses c)drivers pilferages. These variances are borne by the transporter. The allowance of only 40Kg is to small according to the group that met.
At the end of this successful initial gathering it was concluded that an association is to be set up for the industry in order to represent this important industry segment of the transport industry. As there is currently there is no standard or guideline by MPOB/PORAM on the matter of shortages during deliveries this will be the first issue to be addressed. FOSFA international (Federation of Oils, Seeds and Fats Associations) has guidelines for international shipping tanker at 0.5% is set as permissible allowance. The group of palm oil transporteres that gathered is proposing a similar guidelines by MPOB who actually licenses them.
