The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport South Africa (Ciltsa) and the Institute for Customs and Freight Forwarding (ICFF) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) towards professionalising South Africa's logistics industry.

The collaboration is aimed at elevating industry standards, enhancing skills development and creating clear pathways for professional growth in customs, freight forwarding and supply chain management.

The partnership will leverage Ciltsa’s expertise in transport, logistics and supply chain management with the ICFF’s specialised knowledge in customs and freight forwarding. This synergy is designed to tackle complex industry challenges and foster innovation through a unified approach to professionalisation.

"This collaboration represents a shared commitment to advancing our industry. Instead of working in silos, we are building bridges to collectively take responsibility for ensuring our sector becomes globally competitive and raises its credibility.

“As an industry that facilitates 95% of South Africa’s international trade, our mission is to professionalise this sector and we look forward to collaborating with the industry to grow ‘SA Inc.’," ICFF CEO Ingrid du Buisson said on September 10.

Ciltsa president Elvin Harris emphasised the direct impact on professionals and the broader industry.

"By leveraging our respective strengths, we will be able to solve complex challenges and drive innovation. This partnership will have a direct and positive impact on students, employees, and professionals across the logistics value chain, ensuring we are better equipped to meet the demands of a dynamic global economy,” he said.

Members of both the ICFF and Ciltsa will gain several benefits from the collaboration. The partnership will provide a platform for networking and knowledge exchange between members of both organisations, fostering career growth.

Members will also receive discounted rates for joint workshops, webinars and events. Additionally, the organisations will explore joint credentialing opportunities to enhance the professional recognition of individuals within the industry.