The challenges facing the logistics industry

THE logistics industry in Malaysia should prepare itself for some dramatic changes in the way products are handled, stored and transported when permissible carbon footprints on products traded across borders become mandatory. With various strong global initiatives on sustainability under way, it may not be too long before our exports which do not tally up the right carbon footprints will not be allowed to be traded across borders.

Products which are not shipped in “green ships” for instance, or handled at a port that is not green compliant, or transported via a truck that is not environment-friendly or stored in a warehouse that does not go green, may be banned in the trade across borders. Malaysia as a heavily trade-reliant economy and 24th leading exporter nation, can ill-afford such disruptions to its trade.