Connecting Logistics: Key Highlights from the 2024 FIATA World Congress, MACE 2024, LAACP-JC Meeting, and IAPH 2024 and updates on the upcoming FIATA-RAMs field meeting in Barranquilla, Colombia!
2024 FIATA World Congress - The Great Connection in Panama
🏝️🚢 Panama: A Vibrant Hub of Cultural Diversity and Economic Growth Showcased at the 2024 FIATA World Congress!
The 2024 FIATA World Congress took place in Panama City, Panama, gathering 878 participants from 80 territories under the theme "The Great Connection." This vibrant event showcased the global significance of the logistics industry.
The Opening Session featured distinguished speakers, including Mr. José Ramón Icaza Clement, Minister for Canal Affairs of Panama, Mr. Carlos Hoyos Boyd, Minister in Charge, Ministry of Commerce and Industries in Panama, FIATA President Mr. Turgut Erkeskin, FIATA Director General Dr. Stéphane Graber, APAC President Mr. Ángel Sánchez, and Mr. Ian Saunders, Secretary General of the World Customs Organisation They emphasised the importance of innovation and collaboration within the global supply chain.
💡💼YLP in Panama: Connect, Collaborate, Celebrate!
YLP Day showcased young professionals’ visions for logistics, with regional winners Nompilo Zulu, Thach Thao Nguyen, Rashaad Francisco D'Gama Rose, and Laura Cristin Egerer inspiring attendees. One YLP participant expressed, “It was an honour to participate in the FIATA Young Logistics Professional competition, where I had the opportunity to highlight humanitarian logistics and connect with inspiring industry leaders.”
💡💼Strengthening the logistics future!
The closing ceremony acknowledged the contributions of the APAC team, FIATA, and partners, with excitement building for next year’s congress in Hanoi, Vietnam.
The Gala Dinner featured traditional performances and recognised Laura Cristin Egerer as the YLP Global Award winner. “This event offered a unique opportunity to engage with global leaders in logistics while fostering new relationships and gaining invaluable industry insights.” add a participant from India. Another attendee from Georgia added, “The energy here is incredible, and it's inspiring to see so many innovative minds in one place!”
The FIATA World Congress 2024 successfully served as a platform for knowledge exchange and celebration of the logistics industry's future. See you in Vietnam!
🏝️🚢 What FIATA members and friends are saying on social media about the FIATA World Congress 2024
"This trip was exceptional. The challenges the transportation industry faces every day are never ending. As soon as one challenge is overcome, another one pops up. I am very appreciative to be a part of these events. Teamwork between organizations and people greatly help in our efforts to keep things moving along!" - Sandra G, Gregory Logistics Consulting, LLC.
"Set against a lush, bustling Panamanian backdrop and its famed canal, this conference buzzed with bold ideas about how to navigate today’s most pressing challenges—and capitalise on opportunities—in an ever-evolving global logistics landscape." - Edward Hardy, Air Cargo Week.
"It was an interesting and many-sided event, and I was delighted to reconnect with colleagues and friends from the freight forwarding and logistics sector around the globe." - Petri Laitinen, Finnish Freight Forwarding and Logistics Association.
"In an era where digitalization is not just a buzzword but a business imperative, the FIATA World Congress has once again proven itself to be at the forefront of transformative discussions. This year, under the exhilarating theme "The Great Connection," we delved deep into how digitalization is driving business growth and fostering unprecedented connections across the globe.
" - Tej Contractor, MCC Container Lines Pvt. Ltd.
"Another amazing year demonstrating the breadth and depth of expertise coming through in the next generation! The industry is in safe hands!" - Mike Yarwood, TT Club.
"The Airforwarders Association wishes to thank Stephane Graber and his FIATA International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations staff for their hard work & hospitality in making this informative event so successful." - Brandon Fried, Air Forwarders Association (AfA).
FIATA’s Participation in MACE 2024 Highlights Key Airfreight Trends and Industry Challenges!
At the beginning of October, FIATA took part in the Malta Aviation Conference and Expo (MACE) 2024, a prestigious airfreight conference supported by Transport Malta. In its 6th edition, the event brought together 350 professionals from the airfreight industry and 50 expert speakers, offering participants a valuable platform to connect and share insights on the most pressing challenges in airfreight alongside partners and key stakeholders. FIATA Director General, Dr. Stéphane Graber, delivered an inspiring keynote presentation, emphasising the sustained growth in airfreight demand. Despite increased capacity, rates remain high, driven by factors such as expanding global trade, the rise of e-commerce, increased consumer demand for speed, and disruptions within the maritime sector caused by external shocks. In today’s rapidly evolving logistics landscape, industry preparedness and agility are crucial, particularly as new security requirements emerge. The event also provided an opportunity to highlight FIATA's valuable work in supporting the industry and its members in such new market dynamics.
During an engaging roundtable discussion with Captain Charles Pace, Director General for Civil Aviation Malta, Or Zak, COO of Challenge Group, and Dr. Graber, participants stressed the need for enhanced collaboration among stakeholders, especially in advancing digital airfreight processes and improving regulatory compliance. They also underscored the importance of fostering constructive dialogue between public authorities and private sector and developing customer-centric practical solutions to navigate the complexities of a highly fragmented industry.
MSC Strategy Post-2024: Entering a New Phase After the 2M Alliance with Maersk Ends!
Mr. Soren Toft CEO MSC delivering the keynote speech at IAPH 2024
As the 2M alliance with Maersk concludes in December 2024, MSC is set to enter a new strategic phase. Speaking at the IAPH World Conference, MSC CEO, Mr. Soren Toft, emphasised the growing importance of agility and adaptability in logistics. When running its global network independently, he shared MSC’s plans to broaden its focus beyond the previously concentrated select markets. This strategic shift could unlock new opportunities for FIATA members, as Mr. Toft highlighted the critical role of supply chain collaboration in building resilience across the logistics sector.
Despite the ongoing challenges facing global supply chains, particularly in Asia, growth remains on the horizon. MSC aims to offer 1,900 direct port-to-port connections, serving considerably more ports in the Asia-Europe trade than its competitors (12 ports in Asia compared to 9 for its nearest competitor, and 13 ports in Europe compared to 7). This expanded network positions MSC to adapt to an evolving global environment. Mr. Toft also echoed FIATA’s call for cohesive global regulations, advocating for a unified international approach rather than fragmented regional solutions.
FIATA’s Address at the IAPH World Congress: Shaping the Future of Digital and Sustainable Logistics
Keynote Panel at IAPH2024 on Resilience of Global Maritime Supply Chains
FIATA, a prominent advocate for global digital logistics interoperability, had the honor of participating in the opening keynote panel at the IAPH World Congress during the 2024 World Ports Conference. This event, presented by the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) and hosted by the Hamburg Port Authority, focused on building resilience within the maritime supply chain, and facilitating decarbonisation and digitalisation across the global maritime industry. The panel brought together Angela Titzrath, CEO HHLA, Noel Hacegaba, COO of Port of Long Beach, Ilya Espino de Marotta, Chief Sustainability Officer at Panama Canal Authority – who already participated in the FWC2024 as a panelist - and Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO Port of Antwerp-Bruges, as well as the FIATA Director General, for an insightful discussion, moderated by Margi Van Gogh from the World Economic Forum. Their exchange exemplified the positive collaboration and synergies among key actors in the maritime supply chain, addressing the new challenges on the horizon.
Reflecting on the evolving challenges in logistics, FIATA echoed the insights shared by MSC CEO, Soren Toft. Agility and adaptability are now essential traits for navigating the current landscape marked by uncertainty and supply chain disruptions – now considered the new normal. The creation of new logistics corridors and development of “optionality” for freight forwarders and their customers were highlighted as key strategy to foster supply chain resilience. Additionally, the transition toward sustainability and digitalisation was emphasised as crucial for building a resilient and sustainable logistics sector. However, these initiatives must not become mere revenue-generating exercises but should instead focus on delivering practical solutions that benefit the entire supply chain ecosystem, establishing a framework that facilitates trade and supports the long-term operations of all stakeholders.
Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s Vision for Green Shipping Corridors and the Future of Global Trade
Ms. Mary Carmen Barrios, Senior Vice President Operations, Wallenius Wilhelmsen
Speakers at IAPH on Towards a Net Zero Maritime Ecosystem: Bridging Land and Sea
In the face of geopolitical shifts and evolving customer demands, Wallenius Wilhelmsen is adapting to a rapidly changing shipping landscape. Customers now expect greater flexibility, moving from a last-mile focus to more integrated corporate partnerships. The rise of digitalisation and the shift from "just-in-time" to "just-in-case" logistics strategies are driving the need for robust contingency planning.
The development of Green Corridors—shipping routes aimed at achieving net-zero emissions—is a major initiative driven by the COP26 agreements. These corridors are a collaborative effort between public and private sectors, seeking to transform global maritime transport into a more sustainable system. Wallenius Wilhelmsen anticipates that several such corridors will be operational by 2027.
However, a key focus in the journey toward a greener maritime supply chain revolves around determining who should bear the costs of decarbonising the industry. The creation of effective regulatory frameworks and financial incentives to support this transition remains one of the central challenges, with the exploration of mechanism to reward and incentives early adopters of green practices. A shared responsibility model is looked at as a potential solution, in which end customers, producers, and carriers all contribute to financing the transition. Collaboration among stakeholders, along with the establishment of clear and aligned definitions, will be critical to developing actionable measures that foster sustainable logistics.
With FIATA holding observer status at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), it will closely monitor these discussions and consider their outcomes in contributing to its own sustainability initiatives.
🚀FIATA and IATA Strengthen Air Cargo Collaboration: Regional Insights and Digital Advancements at LAACP-JC!
On 1 October 2024, on the heels of the FIATA World Congress 2024 in Panama, the FIATA Legal Services Director participated in the 7th Latin American Air Cargo Programme Joint Council (LAACP-JC) meeting held at the IATA Regional Offices in Miami, USA.
The meeting, attended by freight forwarder and airline representatives in the region, provided an excellent opportunity to follow up on key topics of interest of regional interest following relevant discussions at the FIATA Airfreight Institute meeting held at the FIATA World Congress. This included clarification on the establishment of IATA Local Consultative Councils (LCCs) which will operate at local and regional levels, on which FIATA is working closely with IATA to ensure appropriate freight forwarder representation in every territory around the world. The ongoing work of IATA and FIATA towards a Global Air Cargo Programme was also welcomed.
The meeting was a great occasion to discuss some of the practical issues faced within the region, such as using the IATA Portal. FIATA is working with IATA to ensure that all freight forwarders around the world have access to further guidance and training to use the portal, which is important for accessing and submitting important information, such as essential documentation and dangerous goods regulation compliance. In addition, digitalisation efforts were discussed, as well as the varying treatment of digital data exchange by governments. FIATA provided information on the digital FIATA Multimodal Transport Bill of Lading (eFBL), and its active work to support industry and governments in the digital transition.
📢 Join us in Barranquilla, Colombia, for the inaugural FIATA RAMs Field Meeting!
FIATA is excited to invite you to the inaugural FIATA Region Americas (RAMs) Field Meeting, scheduled for the afternoon of Wednesday, 4 December 2024, in Barranquilla, Colombia. This meeting represents a significant step in FIATA's commitment to enhancing regional engagement and provides a platform for discussing key regional priorities. Following the discussions initiated at the 2024 FIATA World Congress in Panama, the RAMs Field Meeting will enable Members to collaborate and shape the logistics agenda in the Americas, further strengthening FIATA’s presence in this vibrant region.
The RAMs Field Meeting will be held alongside the esteemed Fitac International Congress (FIC) 2024, hosted by the Federación Colombiana de Agentes Logísticos en Comercio Internacional (FITAC), from 2-4 December 2024, in Barranquilla, Colombia. As a key gathering for the logistics and trade community, the FIC will provide a space for industry professionals to exchange ideas and address key challenges facing the sector. The partnership with FITAC highlights a shared commitment to enhancing logistics operations in the Americas and creating stronger links within the international logistics community.
FIATA warmly invites all its Members from the Region Americas to participate in this landmark evento, which aims to foster a more connected and resilient logistics network.
Register here to both the FIC and the FIATA RAMs Field Meeting (2-4 December 2024) and benefit from a FIATA Member discount:
Register to the FIC and FIATA RAMs Field Meeting here!
Register here to participate solely to the FIATA RAMs Meeting (afternoon of 4 December 2024), free of charge:
Register solely to the FIATA RAMs Meeting here!
Do not miss the chance to host the 2025 and 2026 FIATA-RAMs Field Meetings!
Association Members wishing to apply to host the meetings must submit a letter of intent, outlining their interest and capacity to host the field meeting, to [email protected].
To host the 2025 FIATA-RAMs Field Meeting:
- Submit your application by 31 October 2024!
- Applicants will make a presentation of their bids during the 2024 FIATA RAMs Field Meeting on Wednesday, 4 December 2024. The host for the 2025 FIATA-RAMs Field Meeting will be selected and announced at this time.
To host the 2026 FIATA-RAMs Field Meeting:
- Submit your application by 31 December 2024!
- Applicants will make a first presentation of their bids the regional meeting that will coincide with the annual FIATA HQ Meeting, in 2025. The host for the 2026 FIATA-RAMs Field Meeting will be selected and announced at this time.
The selection process will evaluate the following indicative criteria:
- Ease of access to the venue
- Visa requirements
- Safety and security
- Business opportunities
- Venue incentives
- Hosting history
- Participation in FIATA’s activities
Take advantage of this exciting opportunity to organise these dynamic events and highlight your region's logistics strengths!