FIATA publishes new position paper on container imbalance during COVID-19

Zurich, 30 April 2020 – FIATA has recently published a position paper titled “Container imbalances and COVID-19: Freight forwarders’ role in finding solutions to the problems of today”. The paper is the latest in a series of resources produced by FIATA for the freight forwarding industry in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to empower all stakeholders at the national and international level.

The new position paper addresses the issue of container imbalances in the supply chain amid the COVID-19 outbreak and its impact on many of the world’s economies. It also highlights the important role of the freight forwarding industry to harness opportunities and provide value-added services to ensure the fluidity of global supply chains in this unprecedented situation.

The issue of container imbalance has serious impacts on the fluidity of global maritime supply chains, at a time when the timely flow of essential goods is ever more crucial. FIATA urges shipping lines to review their business and operational practices and to work closely with all stakeholders to ensure a regular flow of cargo and containers.

“FIATA is enhancing its service to all its members to overcome this unprecedented crisis together and support the reconstruction of trade, which will closely see the integration of the industry worldwide,” said FIATA Director General, Dr Stephane Graber.

International freight forwarders, with their crucial know-how and experience, demonstrate every day their ability to find the right way to address these new issues and keep goods flowing. FIATA and its National Association Members are proactively engaging with stakeholders and government officials to find solutions in dealing with governmental restrictions associated with COVID-19. This information and more can be found on FIATA’s dedicated COVID-19 webpage.

“We have already accomplished so much in building a stronger FIATA, despite the current global situation, so we are more prepared than ever to serve our members by bringing value to them,” said Dr Graber.

To read the full position paper, please visit FIATA Sea Freight Resources.

Media Contact

Stéphane Graber | FIATA Director General

+41 43 211 6500 | [email protected]   

About FIATA

FIATA, the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations, is the largest nongovernmental organization in the field of transportation. It is the global voice of freight logistics, representing an industry that covers approximately 40,000 freight forwarding and logistics firms, and employs around 10 million people in some 160 countries. www.fiata.com