FIATA leading the way in digital logistics
FIATA joins the FIT Alliance to represent freight forwarders in the digitalisation of logistics
FIATA is committed to facilitating adoption of digital processes for freight-forwarders. FIATA took the lead by developing the electronic FIATA Bill of Lading (eFBL) data standard, which is aligned with the UN/CEFACT MMT Reference data model to facilitate interoperability with all systems and parties. The standard is already available as open source for all software providers to implement.
Through its eFBL data standard, which is open to the whole industry, FIATA aims to further the acceptance of electronic documents by all stakeholders involved in a bill of lading (B/L) transaction and harmonise the exchange of information between all parties. The eFBL data standard is a first step towards real digital exchange of the bill of lading between different platforms, which implies many more complex challenges which cam only be solved through active collaboration between the main actors of the supply chain.
By joining the FIT Alliance, together with BIMCO, DCSA, ICC and SWIFT, FIATA aims to work with other key organisations on overcoming the technical eBL interoperability challenge, together with the need for common legislative conditions across international jurisdictions and platforms.
It is of great importance for FIATA to participate in the discussions on data ownership and interoperability to represent the interests of freight forwarders. The active participation of freight forwarders in collaboration with all key supply chain actors is crucial to ensuring a secure and democratic ecosystem of data exchange benefitting all parties. This will be key to fostering a fair and level market playing field on this integral issue for the future of logistics. Keep reading
FIATA develops its maritime crisis strategy to support its members
Amid the ongoing maritime crisis, FIATA's maritime global taskforce met last Friday to discuss the FIATA strategy. The taskforce, which reports to the FIATA Presidency, is led by Jens Roemer (FIATA Senior Vice President and Chair of Working Group Sea) and is composed of Working Group Sea subject matter experts representing the different FIATA Regions, together with the participation of certain external partners.
A 3-pillar strategic approach is envisaged to achieve the overall mission of raising awareness on the importance of freight forwarding and the risks of vertical integration on the global economy. Among others, it will require the crucial support and commitment of FIATA members around the world to bring together concrete data, in particular through the FIATA Regional Committees. The strategic plan will be presented and discussed at the next meeting of the FIATA Presidency on 22 February, as well as at the Extended Board on 10 March.
More information coming soon. In the meantime, FIATA continues to remind its members to provide it with information regarding the impacts of the maritime crisis in their local contexts to maritime@fiata.org.
The IATA-FIATA Consultative Council (IFCC) meets next week!
Next week, the 83rd session of the IATA-FIATA Consultative Council (IFCC) will take place on 23-24 February 2022, bringing together freight forwarders and airlines in this important forum to discuss matters impacting the cargo agency relationship.
Following the conclusion of the Regional Joint Council meetings of Latin America (LAACP-JC), Canada (CACP-JC) and Europe (EACP-JC), IFCC representatives will continue their preparations to formulate FIATA's global position, taking into consideration the outputs of those meetings. FIATA thanks them for their dedication and commitment in this process.
The official freight forwarders' pre-meeting of the IFCC will take place on 22 February 2022, which will provide the opportunity for the IFCC representatives to meet the new IFCC Chair, Stefan Amann.
2022 FWC registrations to open in March!
The FIATA Congress Committee met yesterday to further discuss important milestones including the opening of delegate registration, and the Congress Programme finalisation. It was agreed that the registrations for the FIATA World Congress (FWC) will open during the month of March. As for the programme, the Congress will officially open on Wednesday 14 September 2022, starting with the Young Logistics Professionals Day and will end on Friday 16 September evening with the traditional Gala Dinner. More details on the full programme and information about the Institutes, Advisory Bodies, as well as Regional meetings and panel discussion sessions will be communicated in due time. For general information on the FWC, and to see where the congress is planned in coming years, visit our designated webpage.
Agenda
Upcoming events where FIATA is participating:
- 22 February ¦ IATA-FIATA Consultative Council (IFCC) pre-meeting
- 23-24 February ¦ 83rd session of the IFCC
- 10 March ¦ FIATA Extended Board Meeting
- 17-20 May ¦ FIATA HQ Meeting 2022, Geneva