Maritime Market Concentration, FIATA's 59th Validation Session & SGM Reminder
Maritime Transport: Growing Concentration in Container Shipping Raises Competition Concerns
Recent industry data, as reported by Le Temps, has drawn renewed attention to the increasing concentration of the global container shipping market. According to figures published by Alphaliner, the five largest carriers now control around two-thirds of worldwide container capacity, with the Geneva-based Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) standing as the clear market leader, accounting for more than 20% of the global total.
This trend reflects a steady consolidation of the sector over the past decade and a half. The leading carriers have not only expanded their fleets but have also extended their reach through vertical integration, moving into port terminals, inland and multimodal transport, logistics, and financial and insurance services. MSC, which now operates a fleet exceeding one thousand vessels, illustrates the scale of this expansion.
FIATA has expressed concern over the implications of this concentration for fair competition. FIATA Director General, Dr Stéphane Graber, noted that an excessively concentrated market is never healthy, as a sector that is monopolised by a small number of players increases the risk of abuse from those in a dominant position. While acknowledging that governments may support national carriers in order to secure reliable access to international markets for their industries, he emphasised that appropriate safeguards remain essential.
In this regard, FIATA points to regulatory measures designed to strengthen oversight and transparency in the maritime sector, such as the Ocean Shipping Reform Act in the United States and the rules introduced by the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) concerning container detention and demurrage charges. FIATA will continue to monitor developments in the sector and to advocate for a balanced, competitive and transparent market that serves the interests of freight forwarders and their customers worldwide.
Training and Professional Development: FIATA Announces the Successful Completion of Its 59th Validation Session
FIATA is pleased to announce the successful completion of its 59th validation session, the first validation round of 2026, reaffirming its commitment to maintaining high-quality education standards in freight forwarding and supply chain management worldwide.
During this session, 8 FIATA Association Members successfully completed the revalidation/validation process for their training programmes, continuing to strengthen professional excellence across the logistics sector.
These Association Members revalidated their programmes for the FIATA diploma in Freight Forwarding (FDFF):
- Association Des Freight Forwarders Du Maroc (AFFM) ;
- Asociación Salvadoreña de Agentes de Carga (ASAC);
- Federation Of Freight Forwarders' Associations In India (FFFAI);
- Freight Forwarders Association of Russian Federation (FAR);
- L'Union De Sociétés D'expéditions de La Roumanie (USER);
- Netherlands Association for Forwarding and Logistics (FENEX);
- Singapore Logistics Association (SLA);
- Transportation & Logistic Federation of Iran (TLFI).
These Association Members validated/revalidated their courses to deliver FIATA Higher Diploma in Supply Chain Management (FHDSCM):
- Netherlands Association for Forwarding and Logistics (FENEX);
- Transportation & Logistic Federation of Iran (TLFI).
Behind these achievements is the continued dedication of FIATA Members to building professional capacity, supporting quality training, and helping shape the future of the logistics industry worldwide.
The official revalidation/validation certificates will be officially presented during the 2026 FIATA World Congress, which will take place in Milan, Italy from 6 to 9 October 2026.
FIATA warmly congratulates all revalidated/validated Association Members and looks forward to their continued contribution to the future of global logistics education.
Association Members interested in validating or revalidating their courses to deliver the FDFF or FHDSCM are encouraged to contact the FIATA Training Team at training@fiata.org.
Digitalisation: Registration Is Still Open for the Free eFBL Webinar
FIATA would like to remind Members of the upcoming free webinar "Implementing the Electronic Negotiable FIATA Multimodal Transport Bill of Lading (eFBL): Practical, Legal and Insurance Considerations", organised together with the Italian freight forwarders' association Federazione Nazionale delle Imprese di Spedizioni Internazionali (FEDESPEDI), taking place on Friday, 19 June 2026 at 11:00 CEST.
With only a few days remaining, this is a final opportunity to join the session and explore the practical, legal and insurance considerations of adopting the digital FIATA Multimodal Transport Bill of Lading (eFBL) in daily freight forwarding operations. Participation is free of charge, and registration remains open.
Members who have not yet done so are warmly invited to register and take part.
Register now for the free webinar!
2026 FIATA SGM: Reminder to Register
Members are reminded that the 2026 FIATA Statutory General Meeting (SGM) will take place online on Friday, 26 June 2026, from 14:00 to 16:00 CEST.
The SGM is a key governance meeting of the Federation, during which Association Members consider and approve statutory matters, this includes the approval of reports and accounts, the auditor’s report, the budget, the discharge of the Presidency, and other statutory matters.
Each Association Member is required to appoint and register one voting delegate in advance of the meeting. Members unable to attend may designate a proxy in accordance with the instructions outlined in the Call of Meeting.
Association Members wishing to exercise their voting rights are reminded that any outstanding membership fees must been settled by 31 May. In accordance with the Statutes, Members who have not fulfilled their financial obligations may have their membership suspended until all outstanding amounts have been received.
To support delegates ahead of the meeting, FIATA HQ will organise a test session on Tuesday, 23 June 2026. Participation details will be sent directly to all registered voting delegates.
Register here for the 2026 FIATA Statutory General Meeting
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