FIATA’s Latest Insights and Opportunities: Stay Informed!
FIATA Participates at the Global Shippers' Alliance Roundtable
On 18 November 2024, the Global Shippers' Alliance (GSA) hosted a roundtable discussion in Brussels, Belgium, titled “Global Trade in Need of Balanced Business Practices in Maritime Supply Chains.” FIATA was represented by Jens Roemer, FIATA Senior Vice President and Chair of the FIATA Working Group Sea.
The event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives from international organisations and key players in the global shipping and logistics sectors. Discussions focused on addressing the current challenges in maritime trade and exploring innovative strategies to strengthen supply chain resilience, promote fair and sustainable maritime practices, and enhance overall efficiency.
A key topic of discussion was the pivotal role of digitalisation in improving supply chain efficiency. The importance of real-time data, interoperability, and standardisation was emphasised, along with the need for adopting digital documents, such as the Digital FIATA Multimodal Transport Bill of Lading, as part of a streamlined and effective process.
FIATA also emphasised the importance of dialogue and collaboration among all stakeholders in the supply chain, which is crucial for enhancing safety, security, and efficiency. The discussion also covered the need for enforceable contracts, transparency regarding surcharges imposed by supply chain actors, and ensuring fair competition within the maritime industry. Additionally, the adoption of best practices from different global regions, such as the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) regulations, was highlighted.
The roundtable underscored that all stakeholders must share responsibility for building supply chains that are fair, resilient, efficient, and sustainable
Deadline Approaching to Host FIATA Regional Field Meetings!
FIATA Association Members in the 4 FIATA Regions: Region Africa Middle East (RAME), Region Americas (RAMs), Region Asia Pacific (RAP) and Region Europe (REU) are reminded that the deadline to submit applications to host the 2026 FIATA Regional Field Meeting is fast approaching, 31 December 2024.
This is a unique opportunity for FIATA Association Members to showcase their region’s logistics potential and business opportunities to a global audience.
Key details:
- Submission deadline: 31 December 2024
- How to apply: Submit a Letter of Intent to, outlining your interest and capacity to host the meeting.regions@fiata.org
Applications will be assessed based on criteria including accessibility, safety, local business opportunities, past hosting experience, and participation in FIATA activities. Finalists will present their detailed applications during the relevant regional meeting, coinciding with the 2025 FIATA HQ Meeting in Geneva, 17-20 March 2025.
Do not miss this chance to bring the FIATA Regional Field Meeting to your territory and highlight your contribution to advancing global logistics.
For questions or further information, please contact us at regions@fiata.org.
Do Not Miss the Chance to Attend the Inaugural FIATA-RAMs Field Meeting, 2-4 December 2024!
Time is running out! Don’t miss this opportunity to join us from 2–4 December in Barranquilla, Colombia for the inaugural FIATA-Region Americas Field Meeting. The event will coincide with the Fitac International Congress (FIC), organised by the Federación Colombiana de Agentes Logísticos en Comercio Internacional (Fitac).
Be part of this pivotal event, where the FIATA President, Director General, and the Presidents of FIATA Regional Association Members will gather to drive forward solutions for a resilient freight forwarding industry.
Register today and help shape the future of global logistics!
Register now FIATA-RAMs Field Meeting (4 December) free of charge!
FIATA and its Members Attend the Global Freight Summit
From left to right: "New Normal: Maximising Supply Chain Agility at Scale" panel moderated by Maryam Moshiri, Broadcaster & Global News Anchor with Stephane Graber, Director General, FIATA; Andreas Kujawski, CEO Germany Savino del Bene, Italy; Raman Kumar, Managing Director, Al Futtaim Logistics; Carsten Lützenkirchen, Senior Vice President, Customer Solutions and Innovation, DHL; and Juanita Maree, Chief Executive Officer, Southern Africa Association of Freight Forwarders.
The Global Freight Summit has consistently been a cornerstone event for the logistics and freight forwarding industry, and FIATA’s participation continues to leave a lasting impression. On November 18, the FIATA Director General, Stéphane Graber, represented the organisation as a panellist on the topic, "New Normal: Maximising Supply Chain Agility at Scale" alongside Andreas Kujawski, CEO Germany, Savino del Bene, Italy; Raman Kumar, Managing Director, Al Futtaim Logistics; Carsten Lützenkirchen, Senior Vice President, Customer Solutions and Innovation, DHL; and Juanita Maree, CEO, Southern Africa Association of Freight Forwarders.
The panellists discussed and raised important factors such as navigating geopolitical uncertainty, enhancing supply chain resilience, and the need for flexibility and agility in global supply chains. The importance of leveraging digital tools to improve efficiency, adapting to evolving regulatory environments, and fostering collaboration between the private and public sectors was highlighted. The critical role of human resources in maintaining resilient supply chains and the significance of global networks and trusted partnerships was also discussed as an important factor to consider, especially during these uncertain times. The growing impact of sustainability concerns was underscored, with customers increasingly prioritising decarbonisation efforts while balancing the complexities of transit times and costs.
FIATA Association Members actively participated as panellists, playing a vital role in shaping the dialogue on logistics and trade. Engaging in regional trade lane discussions, they addressed challenges specific to their regions, fostering collaboration and innovation. Notable participants included Juanita Maree, Chief Executive Officer, Southern Africa Association of Freight Forwarders (SAAFF), Angel Sanchez, President of Asociación Panameña de Agencias de Carga (APAC), Juan-Pablo Pacheco, President of Asociación Mexicana de Agentes de Carga (AMACARGA). Bruce Rodgers, Executive Director of Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association (CIFFA), Dawit Woubishet, President of Ethiopian Freight Forwarder and Shipping Agents Association (EFFSAA), Nadia Abdul Aziz, President of The National Association Of Freight And Logistics (NAFL), alongside representatives from Egypt and Honduras, to name a few. Highlighting the global nature of FIATA’s community, Paul Khoa, President of Vietnam Logistics Business Association (VLA) took the opportunity to promote the 2025 FIATA World Congress in Hanoi, inviting attendees to join this landmark event, 6-10 October 2025.
From left to right: "Opportunities in Trade Lanes: Middle East" panel, moderated by Jessy El Murr, International Journalist, with Nadia Abdul Aziz, President of the National Association Of Freight And Logistics; Akshay Anand, Group General Manager & Director, ABSA Al Barrak Group; Hatem Abdel Gawad, Head Maritime Transport Economics Section, Suez Canal Authority; Ahmed Hassan Ahmed Lotfy, Port Tawfik Harbourmaster, Suez Canal Authority; and Omar Rishi, Deputy Regional Head and CCO, CMA-CGM.
"Opportunities in Trade Lanes: Africa" panel, moderated by Eithne Treanor, International Moderator and Broadcaster with Moanisse Bennasser, Chief Executive Officer, NAVIROC; Alaa Ezz, Chairman, African Chamber of Commerce; Ian Treder, Chief Strategy Officer, West Africa, SACO Shipping; Ugo Vincent, Regional Director, PIL; and Dawit Woubishet, President, Ethiopian Freight Forwarders and Shipping Agents Association.
From left to right: "Opportunities in Trade Lanes: The Americas" panel with Ashley Craig, Partner and Chair, International Trade and Logistics Group, Venable; Juan Pablo Pacheco, President, Mexican Freight Forwarders Association; Bruce Rodgers, Executive Director, Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association; and Angel Sanchez, President, Panama Freight Forwarders Association, moderated by Sarah Cocker, Broadcaster and International Moderator (not shown).
"Excellence in Practice – How Freight Forwarders Build Resilience" panel, where Paul Khoa, President of Vietnam Logistics Business Association (VLA) promoted the 2025 FIATA World Congress. The panel was moderated by Laura Buckwell, International Broadcaster and included Akshay Anand, Group General Manager and Director ABSA, Al Barrak Group; Simon Green, Managing Director, Supreme Freight; and Emanuele Tozzi, Chief Commercial Officer, ECX Global Logistics - Euro Cargo Express Group (not shown).
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The FIATA Review garnered attention with a large, impactful spread at the event, providing unparalleled visibility to over 10,000 attendees at the Global Freight Summit.
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FIATA’s Advocacy at TSA Regional Industry Summit in Doha
From left to right: Mr Cihan Emre, Special Cargo Operational Compliance Manager and Mr Serkan Eren, FIATA delegate, Ground Operations Director, MNG Airlines, with the representatives of the USA Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
FIATA, represented by its delegate Mr Serkan Eren from MNG Airlines participated in the USA Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Regional Industry Summit held in Doha, Qatar. The summit addressed the updates, including the implementation of new requirements for Established Business Relationships (EBR) and Enhanced Air Cargo Advance Screening (ACAS) programme.
During the event, the FIATA delegate actively contributed his expertise to support the evolvement of the USA’s ACAS Programme requirements. Mr Eren emphasised the importance of balancing regulatory compliance with the operational needs of the air cargo industry as well as voiced the freight forwarders’ concerns regarding the ACAS and EBR processes. During the meeting, it was suggested to engage directly with the freight forwarders community, as they are the primary point of contact with shippers and play a crucial role in collecting data and ensuring regulatory compliance.
TSA also provided clarifications on Under Ex Works (EXW) shipments, noting that the term "shipper" may vary according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) definitions. Specifically, for EXW shipments, the manufacturer and the shipper shall be different from each other entities. Under EBR rules, the responsibility falls on the consignee (who acts as the shipper in EXW terms) and the freight forwarder that pays the transport charges.
For more detailed information, please check the updated FIATA ACAS regulatory alert here.