Supply Chain Resilience, Digitalisation, Sustainability and FIATA Events

Supply Chain Resilience: FIATA Advances Data Harmonisation at IAPH World Ports Conference

Back row, from left to right: Mr Christophe Joubert, International Ports Deputy CRO, Prodevelop; Mr Evgeny Vdovin, Director of Ports Optimisation, Wärtsilä Marine; Mr Jan Willem de Ouden, Lead Global Data Strategy/Strategy Director Digitalisation, Port of Rotterdam; Dr Stéphane Graber, FIATA Director General; Mr Nico De Cauwer, Secretary General, IPCSA (International Port Community Systems Association); Mr Jeppe Skovbakke Juhl, Chief Naval Architect in the Regulatory Department, BIMCO; and Mr Stefan Krattiger, Business Development Leader – Global Ports, IKEA

Front row, from left to right: Ms Mariela Gutarra, CIO, National Port Authority of Perú; Ms Ingrid Boqué Sastre, Director of Institutional Relations, Port of Barcelona; Mr Jun Jie (JJ) Lim, Assistant Director, Maritime Digital Capability, MPA Singapore; and Ms Sheeba Varughese, CIO, Port of Los Angeles.

At the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) 2026 World Ports Conference in London, FIATA Director General, Dr Stéphane Graber, and Ms Ingrid Boqué, Director of Institutional Relations at the Port of Barcelona, presented the outcomes of the Supply Chain Resilience in Ports Taskforce.

Bringing together IAPH, FIATA, Digital Container Shipping Association (DCSA), Terminal Industry Committee 4.0 (TIC 4.0) and International Port Community Systems Association (IPCSA), with the support of United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT) experts, the initiative aims to strengthen supply chain resilience through improved visibility of containerised cargo movements in ports.

A major outcome was the harmonisation of 39 critical logistics events under UN/CEFACT, creating a common language for key milestones throughout a container's port journey. This was complemented by a federated approach to data access, allowing trusted and authorised parties to access relevant information while data remains at its source.

For freight forwarders and cargo owners, better access to standardised and timely information can help anticipate disruptions, improve predictability and enable better operational decisions.

The presentation was complemented by an executive panel discussion featuring high-level experts, focusing on the crucial transition from developing standards to driving market adoption and making maritime data interoperability a reality in practice.

The discussion highlighted how the taskforce’s work can help make ports less of a “black box” for logistics operators by providing greater visibility into key moments along the port journey, from the arrival of a container by vessel, through discharge, availability for collection by rail, customs and other formalities, and ultimately gate-out by truck, rail or barge.

Participants recognised that resilient supply chains depend on moving cargo efficiently, which in turn requires trusted information to move seamlessly with it. Achieving this requires interoperability, effective data sharing and close collaboration among all stakeholders across the maritime supply chain.

The next step is adoption. FIATA will continue working with ports and other supply chain stakeholders to support practical implementation and greater interoperability across global logistics.

Digitalisation: FIATA Participates in the Launch of the Trade Digitalization Index 2025/2026

FIATA participated in the launch of the Trade Digitalization Index (TDI) 2025/2026 on 16 September 2026. Covering more than 170 economies, the Index assesses progress in the digitalisation of trade procedures and the transition towards cross-border paperless trade.

The latest results show encouraging progress, with the global implementation average reaching 55%, up five percentage points from the previous edition. However, significant gaps remain, particularly in legal and trust frameworks, cross-border operational exchange and sustainable trade digitalisation.

During the launch panel, FIATA Director General, Dr Stéphane Graber joined representatives from governments and international organisations to discuss the practical steps needed to accelerate progress.

FIATA highlighted that trade digitalisation cannot be achieved through technology alone. It requires technical interoperability, legal certainty, trusted data governance, capacity building and, ultimately, adoption in day-to-day business operations. Three areas deserve particular attention: breaking down digital silos, protecting data rights and building trust, and supporting the evolution of attitudes and business practices.

The success of trade digitalisation should therefore not be measured simply by how much paper is removed, but by whether it creates a trusted, interoperable, inclusive and sustainable trading environment in which businesses of all sizes and territories at different levels of digital maturity can participate.

FIATA remains committed to working with governments, international organisations and the private sector to translate digitalisation into more efficient, resilient and sustainable logistics operations.

For more information contact digital@fiata.org or visit tdi.digitalizetrade.org.

Sustainability: GLEC Framework v3.3 and the Changes for Freight Forwarders

Customers increasingly expect their freight forwarders to provide credible emissions figures, whether for tenders, sustainability reports or reduction targets. The methodology most of the industry relies on to produce those figures has been updated.
 
Smart Freight Centre (SFC) released version 3.3 of the GLEC Framework on 27 October 2026. The Framework is the industry’s reference method for calculating logistics greenhouse gas emissions across all transport modes and hubs, and the practical guide for applying ISO 14083.
 
What has changed

• Sea freight: a new section with emission intensity values for Ro-Ro shipping, covering both deep sea and short sea, and updated container vessel values based on the latest Clean Cargo trade lane data.
• Air freight: default values are now provided both with and without the standard distance uplift for routing deviations, giving users more flexibility depending on the data they hold.
• Electric vehicles: new guidance on choosing the right electricity mix when the charging location is unknown, with a worked example, plus updated values for electric trucks in Europe and new ones for India.
• Regional data: emission factors have been updated for North America and China, and several Indian values revised. European factors remain unchanged for now, pending a harmonised methodology under development through the CLEVER project.
• New sector guidance: a module dedicated to post, parcel and e-commerce, and an updated chemical industry module covering temperature-controlled transport and warehousing.

What to do now
Companies that use GLEC default values, particularly for air, sea, or lanes involving North America, China or India, should expect some figures to change and may need to update their calculations. SFC’s crosswalk document lists every change section by section and is the best starting point.
 
Building skills in emissions accounting
FIATA works with SFC to help forwarders build expertise in sustainability. Sustainability is also part of the minimum standards of the FIATA Diploma in Freight Forwarding, so that new professionals enter the industry with a grounding in logistics emissions.
 
For questions, contact our team at sustainability@fiata.org.

 

Access the SFC Introduction to the GLEC Framework on the FIATA Training Portal

Download the SFC GLEC Framework v3.3 and the Crosswalk documents here

2026 FIATA-RAMS Field Meeting: Join FIATA and FITAC in Cartagena, Colombia

The 2026 FIATA-Region Americas (RAMS) Field Meeting, organised by the Federación Colombiana de Agentes Logísticos en Comercio Internacional (FITAC) in conjunction with the FITAC International Congress (FIC) will bring together logistics and freight forwarding professionals, government representatives and international industry leaders in Cartagena, Colombia, from 25 to 27 November 2026.

The programme will explore key developments shaping the global logistics industry, with discussions on maritime transport disruptions, the Arctic route, artificial intelligence, customs modernisation, supply chain security, air freight and the future of logistics in the Americas. It will also feature contributions from FIATA leadership and representatives of international organisations, alongside networking opportunities and a commercial exhibition.

FITAC warmly welcomes the entire international FIATA membership to join the meeting, offering participants an opportunity to gain first-hand insights into the dynamics of the Americas, particularly Latin America, and strengthen connections with the region's logistics community.

Register now for the 2026 FIATA-RAMS Field Meeting

2027 FIATA HQ Meeting: Become an Exhibitor!

The 2027 FIATA HQ Meeting offers a valuable opportunity to showcase your organisation, connect with key industry stakeholders and strengthen your presence within the global freight forwarding and logistics community.

Taking place from 16 to 19 March 2027 at the Geneva International Conference Centre (CICG), Switzerland, under the theme Building the Future of Logistics, the Meeting will bring together FIATA Association Members, Individual Members, partners and representatives of international organisations.

Having a booth provides a dedicated space to present your products, services and latest developments, engage directly with decision-makers and establish new business connections. It also offers an opportunity to increase brand visibility among an international audience of freight forwarding and logistics professionals.

Booth spaces are offered at a nominal price, with only a limited number available. This is an accessible opportunity to raise your organisation's profile and make valuable connections throughout the Meeting.

Interested in exhibiting? For further information on booth availability and pricing, please contact marketing@fiata.org.

Secure your place and make the most of this opportunity to connect, showcase and build lasting industry relationships in Geneva.

Register for the 2027 FIATA HQ Meeting - early bird rates are still available!

Upcoming FIATA Events

2026 FIATA-Region Americas Field Meeting, Cartagena, Colombia: 25-27 November 2026