Foreword

Logistics is a complex process that involves a chain of people and systems working together to move goods from one point to another in the most efficient, cost-conscious, prompt, and seamless manner.

When this process takes place across borders, across different time zones, and in different seasons among a diverse culture of people, global trade is the outcome. This is how logistics puts an economy into motion.

What could easily be a disastrous flow of interchange within the supply chain is converted into a straightforward process by creative and dedicated experts in the transport logistics industry.

We have one such expert in our midst – Issa Baluch.

Issa’s contributions to the world of logistics have contributed significantly to the progress of Dubai as a global trading hub. As founder of a successful freight forwarding company in the UAE, Issa’s clear-cut approach to providing logical logistics solutions to traders and businessmen has earned him a reputation as a respected industry leader.

For most of his peers, he is a leader in his roles as the past President of the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA), a member of the Board of Directors of The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA), and adviser to many other various local and international organizations. For his supporters and friends, he is an expert who generously shares his knowledge and experiences through his colorful anecdotes, conveyed in his trademark wit.
And we can expect nothing less from him through his new book, Transport Logistics: The Wheel of Commerce.

This book takes the reader on a journey to Burundi, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Canada, Chile, India, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates – where transport logistics plays a huge role in their rich histories and present economic standing. The case studies illustrate the complexities of transport logistics projects simply and clearly, while personalizing the unique stories that are featured in this book.

Issa teamed up with Charles Edwards for this particular book project and, together, the two authors succeed in demonstrating their in-depth understanding of the different facets that encompass transport logistics – sea, air, road, rail and multimodal transports.

This book is definitely a good read for practitioners, as well as a great tool, or a textbook for the academic world.

HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum President, Dubai Department of Civil Aviation Chairman, The Emirates Group