Strait of Hormuz Update, Risk Management Webinar, Successful eFBL Webinar & HQ Team Update
Maritime: Strait of Hormuz - Operational Update for Freight Forwarders
FIATA participated in the briefing held by the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) on 26 June. During the briefing, it was explained that, following the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of 17 June between Iran and the United States, which includes provisions relating to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, progress has been made towards the gradual restoration of commercial shipping.
Under the agreement, Iran has committed to using its best efforts to ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, free of transit charges, for an initial period of 60 days. Technical and military obstacles, including mine clearance operations conducted by Iran, are expected to be resolved within the next 30 days.
Despite these developments, the Strait of Hormuz is not yet considered safe for normal commercial transit, and the IMO traffic separation scheme (TTS) remains unavailable for routine navigation. The situation continues to be closely monitored, with the expectation that regular traffic through the TSS will gradually resume once safety conditions permit.
In parallel, the IMO is implementing the evacuation of over 11,000 seafarers on vessels stranded in the Gulf region through the Strait of Hormuz Evacuation Plan. This plan is operated by two alternative transit routes:
- A northern route, coordinated by Iran
- A southern route, coordinated by Oman
Please note that the IMO Evacuation Plan has been paused on 25 June following an attack on a vessel in the Gulf of Oman. This incident did, however, not occur within the IMO evacuation framework. The resumption of the Plan is currently one of IMO’s top priorities.
For further information, please consult the IMO's dedicated webpage on the Strait of Hormuz and the Middle East.
International Trade and Law: Free Webinar on Risk Management in Maritime Contracts (in Spanish)
Join the free webinar Risk Management in Maritime Contracts, held in Spanish, on Tuesday, 7 July 2026 at 16:30 CEST (10:30 EDT). As freight forwarders increasingly take on the role of contractual carriers, they assume greater legal responsibilities and risks within the maritime supply chain, a dual role that brings opportunities for efficiency and growth alongside increasingly complex risks. This session presents the FIATA Best Practice Guide on Maritime Contracting: Risk Management and the Role of the Contractual Carrier, which clarifies key contract terms and clauses, examines the most common pitfalls, and shares practical recommendations to help freight forwarders protect their operations and interests.
The session will be opened and closed by Ms Barbara Hiebendahl Jalil, FIATA Working Group Sea Chair, and Mr Miguel Espinosa, FIATA Region Americas Chair. Mr Manuel Alba Fernández, Associate Professor of Commercial Law at Carlos III University of Madrid, will present the guide and its key provisions, followed by Mr Mauricio García Arboleda, President of the Colombian Maritime Law Association (ACOLDEMAR), on the common pitfalls and key considerations in maritime contracting. This webinar is particularly relevant for freight forwarders with operations in or exposure to the maritime sector, and ample time will be set aside for questions and open discussion with the speakers.
FIATA warmly encourages Members to take part in this session and to make the most of the opportunity to engage directly with the speakers. Participation is free of charge, and registration remains open.
Register for the free webinar here!
Digitalisation: FIATA and FEDESPEDI Explored the eFBL in Joint Webinar
On Friday, 19 June 2026, FIATA together with the Italian freight forwarders' association Federazione Nazionale delle Imprese di Spedizioni Internazionali (FEDESPEDI) hosted the webinar "Implementing the Electronic Negotiable FIATA Multimodal Transport Bill of Lading (eFBL): Practical, Legal and Insurance Considerations". The session explored the practical, legal and insurance considerations of the negotiable FIATA Multimodal Transport Bill of Lading (FBL) and its digital counterpart, the eFBL, in daily freight forwarding operations.
Dr Stéphane Graber, Director General at FIATA, and Ms Andrea Tang, FIATA Director of Legal and Regulatory Affairs, provided practical insights into the issuance and use of the FBL and eFBL, examining its legal nature, the allocation of liability, and the related insurance considerations. The session offered a comprehensive walkthrough of the FBL and eFBL, highlighting their practical application and the responsibilities associated with issuing the FBL as a contractual carrier.
Ms Debora Schisano, Vice-President at FEDESPEDI and President of Legal AB welcomed the participants and thanked Ms Tang and Dr Graber for presenting the FBL and the eFBL. As FEDESPEDI is also co-hosting the 2026 FIATA World Congress, Ms Antonella Straulino, FIATA Region Europe Chair, promoted the Congress, taking place in Milan from 6 to 9 October 2026. The event will mark FIATA's centenary, one hundred years of bringing the global freight forwarding community together. As the Federation's flagship annual gathering, the Congress will welcome delegates from across the world for a programme of high-level discussion, exchange and networking. Members are warmly encouraged to take part in this milestone edition.
Register Now for the 2026 FIATA World Congress!
HQ Team Update: FIATA Welcomes New Support for Marketing and Events
FIATA is pleased to welcome Mr Andrej Markov to its HQ Team as Events Assistant. He will contribute to the Marketing and Events business unit as Events Assistant and support event coordination and marketing and communications tasks.
Andrej holds a Bachelor's degree in Financial Management from Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, North Macedonia, and is currently completing a Master's degree in Wealth Management at the University of Geneva. His academic background is complemented by practical experience in banking and by prior involvement in a startup venture during his undergraduate studies, where he developed organisational, communications, and coordination skills he will now bring to the Marketing and Events business unit.
His varied background and international academic profile make him a welcome addition to the FIATA team.
Upcoming FIATA Events
