Mission of SFFLA :
to promote SFFLA's members activities (upstream businesses) and to enhance the awareness of Port Klang as the premier port in Malaysia (the gateway to Malaysia), promoting the services and incentives available in Port Klang's port and inducing more activities for the business community and logistics players (downstream busineses)

SFFLA will undertake to market and promote its members activities / businesses through participations in exhibitions, trade missions, dialogue and forums, locally and internationally. Through all this, it is hoped that the members will benefit directly and indirectly through the heightened awareness of the existence of logistics player in all areas.

SFFLA will also undertake to protect member's interest through pro-active approach in all fields and at the same time, will take measure to avoid blatant abuse by unscrupulous companies.

HISTORY
The association was formed and registered in 14th June 1973 under the Societies Act 1966. Records showed that the pioneers were :-

* Sykt. Eng Hoe Shipping, Forwarding Agent & Lorry

* Asia Forwarding Agency

* Bumi Raya Sdn Bhd

* Central Forwarding Agency Sdn Bhd

* Century Forwarding Sdn Bhd

* Federal Shipping, Forwarding Agency Sdn Bhd

* Harper Wira Sdn Bhd

* LC Forwarders Sdn Bhd

* Malaysia Shipping Agencies Sdn Bhd

* Lim Teow Yong & Sons Sdn Bhd

* Oriental Forwarding Sdn Bhd

* Sea Cargoes Handlers Sdn Bhd

* Tuck Sun & Co. Sdn Bhd

* Nanyang Forwarding & Shipping Agency

Initially, the name of the association was "Association of Forwarding Agents Port Klang" or its acronym AFAPK. As the name implies, the main purpose of the set up was to protect and champion the interest of Forwarding Agents or Custom Brokers. As the logistics industry evolved, naturally, the association would have to evolve too, thus, in May 2003, the association name, Association of Forwarding Agent Port Klang (AFAPK) was changed to Selangor Freight Forwarders and Logistics Association (SFFLA).

Objectives of the Association

1. To persuade and encourage all licensed forwarding agents and logistics in Selangor to be members - under one umbrella - with a view to adequately inform the members of all happenings related to the industry.

2. To promote, support and protect the common interests of all members through exchange and dissemination of correct and relevant information.

3. To provide a forum for discussion on all matters affecting members before embarking to make a decision so as to foster greater understanding and co-operation amongst members.

4. To conduct and organize professional training courses related to the industry for the benefits of members.

5. To gradually evolve a Code of Conduct among members, the observance of which will improve the overall quality and effectiveness of their services.

6. To establish linkage with other associations locally and internationally related to the industry for professional knowledge and best practices.

What is the future in store and aim of Port Klang?
Services and businesses are to be induced into Port Klang, thus creating a more vibrant port, increase in trade and create a bigger economic pie in so doing. This can be achieved if the Port Authority, the Port Terminals and the rest of the logistics industry player work hand in hand to achieve the following :-

a) MLO - Main Line Operator : presently, Port Klang have quite a number of MLO that calls directly and provide services between Malaysia and her main trade partners, namely the USA, Europe and China. As such, there were no necessity to look to regional port for services to Malaysia's main trade partner.

At the same time, all the players should work in tandem to induce more MLO to call at Port Klang by creating / inducing the critical mass of cargo, as what has been done successfully by our regional competitor. Being on the same trade lane with the cost advantage, Port Klang, given the right plan will be able to narrow the gap in getting more MLO to call Malaysian shore.

b) Feeder - feeder vessel that services the region calls regularly into Port Klang and this services provide cheap and fast connections to some Asia's main economic powers. If there are more MLO (point a) comes a calling into Port Klang, the feeder services will follow suit and at the same, feeder services will be able to reduce freight cost for goods meant for Malaysian consumption (import) and goods meant for the regional ports (export)

c) Entreport / Transhipment - presently, with the availability of MLO and feeders, transhipment businesses also comes to Malaysian shore to take advantage of her port's connectivity and with further promotion, this business will create some of the critical mass that is needed to make Port Klang a port to be reckon with.

d) International Procurement Centre (IPC) and Regional Distribution Center (RDC) - Port Klang have the cost advantage for being the international centre for both businesses and it is already happening albeit on a small scale. Malaysian businesses should be looking into this business as it is happening the world over with the advancement of JIT. To top it off, the manufacturing of products scattered all over the world and Multi National Corporation will look for a hub to distribute regionally.

e) Import / Re-export with value adding - with so many countries specialising in niche products, value adding is becoming more important as some mass semi-finished goods will be manufactured in low cost countries and sent to a third country for value adding to enhance the finished quality.

It is hoped that the above description will assist businesses in Malaysia to understand the opportunity existing presently and together with the logistics people will be able to lure some of the above businesses into Malaysian's shore.