🌐Digital Extravaganza: Cybersecurity guide launched for all members, eFBL statistics, 2024 FIATA HQ Meeting and more!

Digitalisation to be tackled from three angles during the 2024 FIATA HQ Meeting - The future is now!

This year's annual FIATA HQ Meeting will be held from 23-26 April, at the CICG - The International Conference Centre Geneva, in Geneva, Switzerland, and will have a strong focus on the different aspects of digitalisation and innovation in the logistics industry, and their impact on freight forwarding business.

During the workshop-style sessions, Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be discussed from three different angles:

• How will AI impact customs declarations and the value-added customs broking services?

• What legal considerations should be addressed concerning the utilisation of AI in logistics?

• In what ways can AI be employed by freight forwarders to enhance customer services and internal efficiency by identifying and addressing pain points?

Pre-loading Advance Cargo Information (PLACI) regimes will also take centre stage in the upcoming HQ Meeting discussions as we delve into lessons learned from the implementation of the European Union (EU) ICS-2 Release II in airfreight and look ahead to other current and future PLACI regimes around the world, including the incoming EU ICS-2 Release III for maritime, road and rail transport in December 2024. These developments underscore the critical importance of multiple filing, fair data governance principles, and legal/technical clarity in implementation. It further reinforces the pivotal role of freight forwarders as the architects of transport and their need to assume a principal role as contractual carrier in the logistics supply chain to maintain competitiveness in a rapidly evolving marketplace.

The upcoming HQ workshop sessions will offer a prime opportunity to engage with professional facilitators and industry experts. Through their subject matter expertise, they will guide discussions to help FIATA Members to embrace new opportunities in this challenging environment.

Expect lively discussions, open forums, and ample networking opportunities as we explore current challenges and future prospects together.

Event registration is mandatory for attendance with a registration fee of CHF 360 per delegate. This fee covers access to the sessions from 23-26 April, the Welcome Cocktail on Tuesday 23 April, and Panama Night on Thursday 25 April. For those unable to attend the full event, day pass registrations are also available for CHF 120, excluding social events.

Please note that any refund requests must be received by the FIATA HQ by Sunday 7 April 2024. Following this date, no refund will be possible.

HQ Meeting Registration 23-26 April 2024 (full event) Click here

Day Pass (access to only one selected day of the HQ meeting) Click here

Cybersecurity guide launched for all members - Ensure that you remain cyberaware!

FIATA is thrilled to unveil its latest tool in its contribution to the fight against cybercrime: the "Cybersecurity Essentials Guide - Navigating the Digital Landscape Safely".

In today's hyper-connected world, cyberattacks pose a significant risk to businesses, and in particular, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). That is why, FIATA, under the umbrella of the Advisory Body on Safety and Security (ABSS), has meticulously crafted this updated best practice guide to equip you with the knowledge and resources necessary to fortify your businesses.

Inside, you will discover insights into the evolving threat landscape, practical strategies to anticipate cyberattacks, and expert guidance on managing incidents effectively from a managerial perspective. FIATA encourages its members to use the guide’s contents as a checklist to assess their businesses’ resilience to cyberthreats.

In addition to the expertise within ABSS, FIATA is grateful to have had the expert input of Eye Security’s team, and support from the FIATA Advisory Bodies on Technology and Information (ABIT), and Legal Matters (ABLM).

Take proactive steps to safeguard your digital assets and reputation by downloading your copy of the Cybersecurity Guide today!

Pricing

The guide is available free of charge for each FIATA Members and accessible in your member area.

Alternatively, the price for an electronic version of the guide is CHF 15.

FIATA surpasses an eFBL milestone - Read the statistics here!

FIATA is thrilled to announce that as of the beginning of 2024, the Federation has surpassed a significant milestone, with the deployment of 1000 electronic FIATA Bills of Lading (eFBL) since the launch of the digital trade document. This achievement is accompanied by a 6% increase in usage in the first three months of 2024. These figures underscore the growing adoption of the eFBL by FIATA Members.

As of today, only 20 out of 114 FIATA Associations have signed the distribution agreement to unlock access to the eFBL for their members. This leaves a promising potential for further growth in 2024. It is particularly encouraging to note the widespread adoption of the FIATA eFBL by software providers worldwide, with over 30 of them, including major industry players, embracing the eFBL

This extensive coverage ensures that companies around the globe have access to the tools they need to seamlessly incorporate eFBL into their daily operations.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to CargoX for their outstanding efforts and success in the distribution of the eFBL, serving as a model for others to follow.

China Merchants Group/Sinotrans and FIATA advancing the implementation efforts of the FIATA eBL

During the IATA World Cargo Symposium 2024 in Hong Kong, the FIATA Director General, Dr Stéphane Graber, had the privilege of meeting with China Merchants Group, namely, Mr Xiufeng Wang, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer, alongside Mr Yuntao Yang, General Manager of Risk Management, CMG, Mr Yubin Li, Deputy General Manager, China Merchants Port Group, Mr Jianfeng Sun, Vice President, China Merchants Energy Shipping, Mr Zhanfa Liu, Business Director, Sinotrans, Mr Yiyun Yang, Vice President, Sinotrans (HK) Logistics, Mr Haixin Zhou, Deputy General Manager of Network Planning, Sinotrans Container Lines, and Mrs Anqi Song, Risk Management Department, China Merchants Group.

Alongside Dawit Woubishet, FIATA AFI Chair, the FIATA DG provided updates on FIATA's activities in the airfreight sector and recent developments stemming from collaborations with IATA and WCS 2024. This includes the development of an interdisciplinary working group tasked with the development of a joint industry guidance on multiple filing agreements between airlines and forwarders for ICS2 and future PLACI regimes. In addition, it provided the opportunity to highlight FIATA’s active work in uniting the diverse freight forwarding community towards a harmonised global air cargo programme. Acting as the voice of the logistics community in all its diversity, FIATA will continue to foster unity among freight forwarders.

The meeting was also the occasion to take stock of FIATA’s efforts at the United Nations Commission for International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) to develop a multimodal transport framework, along with the FIATA multimodal eFBL, a universally recognised document for freight forwarders endorsed by international organisations like UNCTAD and ICC, which demonstrates FIATA’s commitment to advancing global trade and multimodal transport corridors. With the support of CMG General Manager Mr Yuntao Yang, who also serves as the ABLM Chair of FIATA, FIATA actively contributes to the ongoing work at UNCITRAL on the development of an international legal instrument for negotiable multimodal transport documents.

The successful launch and widespread adoption of the eFBL as a multimodal house bill of lading were key topics of discussion. Additionally, FIATA AFI Chair, Dawit Woubishet, addressed China Merchants' Group activities in the RAME region, particularly in the East Africa Corridor, highlighting CMG's significant investments in Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Somalia, and the developmental opportunities in logistics and corridors within the region.

Unlocking Global Trade: FIATA's engagement with GSBN and digital supply chain advancements

Dawit Woubishet, FIATA AFI Chair, and Stéphane Graber, FIATA DG, seized the opportunity to meet with Bertrand Chen, CEO of Global Shipping Business Network Incorporated, during their visit to Hong Kong. The Global Shipping Business Network (GSBN) stands as the world’s premier independent, non-profit technology consortium dedicated to constructing a blockchain-enabled operating system that redefines global trade.

This platform fosters trusted collaboration among diverse and competing market participants, enhancing efficiencies and resilience within the global trade ecosystem. Additionally, it seeks to expand its collaborations by forging connections with new market participants such as banks, fintech companies, and other consortia, all while supporting technology-driven innovation as the industry transitions to digitalisation.

Originally founded by 8 prominent leaders in the global shipping industry, accounting for one in every three containers handled worldwide, GSBN boasts members including COSCO SHIPPING Lines, COSCO SHIPPING Ports, Hapag-Lloyd, Hutchison Ports, OOCL, SPG Qingdao Port, PSA International, and Shanghai International Port Group.

During their discussion, FIATA DG and CEO Bertrand Chen exchanged insights on the FIATA eFBL and the ongoing digitalisation of the supply chain. They also discussed the increased collaboration between shipping lines and freight forwarders to facilitate interoperability and enhance supply chain efficiency.

Both organisations play integral roles in the industry advisory board ICC DSI (Digital Standards Initiative), where they contribute to the final report on Key Trade Documents and Data Elements (KTDDE). This report analyses crucial trade documents and data elements across the global supply chain to accelerate trade digitalisation efforts worldwide. By raising awareness of these standards, the report aims to encourage supply chain stakeholders to leverage them for the advancement of a harmonised digital supply chain.

FIATA to discuss digitalisation in multimodal transport at APTFF 2024

On 3 April 2024, FIATA will participate as a speaker in the panel at the 11th Asia-Pacific Trade Facilitation Forum (APTFF) ) in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, to discuss “Digitalisation of international multimodal transport documents in an interconnected trade ecosystem”. Topics to be covered include the Digital FIATA Negotiable Multimodal Transport Bill of Lading (Digital FBL), the crucial role of freight forwarders, the opportunities that using the FBL can unlock for the world’s “architects of transport”, and FIATA’s work to foster interoperability, accessibility and trusted networks.
 
Organised by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the APTFF is the leading regional platform for the exchange of good practices and knowledge on trade facilitation. The Forum attracts more than 250 participants from over 30 countries and offers extensive opportunities for capacity building and cooperation. This 11th APTFF will focus on how digitalisation can be leveraged to enable sustainable supply chains in the Asia-Pacific region.

Don't forget to make the most of your trip to Geneva and join the special optional tour!

The itinerary of this special tour, which will take place on Monday 22 April, includes a Glacier 3000 visit and a visit to the Olympic Museum offering a perfect blend of natural beauty, adventure, and cultural exploration, making it an unforgettable experience for participants.

The optional tour is priced at CHF 240 and includes cable car tickets, lunch with a panoramic view, Olympic Museum tickets, and guided tours. An all-inclusive package for a hassle-free experience!

If you have expressed interest in joining the tour via the HQ Meeting Registration form, you will receive information via email from the FIATA Events team. If you have not disclosed your interest for the tour when registering, please contact [email protected].