FIATA
International Federation of
Freight Forwarders Associations
The global voice of freight logistics

FIATA Drives Safety, Trade Facilitation, and Sustainability on the Global Stage

FIATA e-flash
6 June 2025

Safety and Security: FIATA launches the FIATA Container Packing Mobile Application

FIATA has officially launched the FIATA Container Packing mobile application, now available on Android and Apple devices. This digital tool is designed to support freight forwarders, loaders, and logistics professionals with best practice guidance for safe and compliant container packing, and reflects FIATA’s broader push for digitalisation and safer logistics operations across the globe.


The app translates complex safety standards into a simple, mobile-friendly format, making it easy to access practical advice whether you're at the warehouse, loading site, or on the move.


Key features include:

  • Step-by-step container packing guidance
  • Downloadable visual checklists for key safety recommendations
  • Practical tools to reduce risks and ensure compliance

“This app equips our industry with the essential knowledge to ensure cargo is packed safely, protecting not only the goods, but also the people handling them. By placing global best practices directly into the hands of freight forwarders, loaders, and warehouse teams, it promotes standardisation and enhances safety in container packing worldwide.” said Mr Tej Contractor, Chair of the FIATA Advisory Body on Information Technology.

FIATA Director General, Dr Stéphane Graber, highlighted the app’s significance: “This app represents a major leap forward in making safety and compliance easier to manage for those working in the logistics and transportation sectors. By digitalising critical packing guidelines, FIATA is helping to reduce risks, improve efficiency, and ensure that the global supply chain operates more safely and smoothly.” Read the full press release here

FIATA invites all freight forwarders, shippers, and logistics stakeholders to explore and download the app today via the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Trade Facilitation: FIATA Highlights Private Sector’s Role at UN ESCAP–UNCTAD Course

FIATA took part in the Global Online Course on Next Generation Trade Facilitation, co-organised by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP) and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), with a live session held on 3 June 2025. The session, titled "Advancing Sustainable Development Through Trade Facilitation," focused on the importance of inclusive trade practices that support gender equality, small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) participation, and sustainable policy-making.

Representing FIATA, Sofia Aiche, Project Officer, delivered a private sector perspective, presenting findings from FIATA’s research on the implementation of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) and the role of National Trade Facilitation Committees (NTFCs).

The session highlighted several important takeaways:

  • Women and Trade Facilitation: Experts discussed how trade processes can pose challenges for women, especially in settings where their needs are overlooked. The creation of sub-committees on gender within NTFCs was suggested as a positive step towards sustainable and inclusive trade.
  • Private Sector Engagement: FIATA emphasised the value of private sector involvement in National NTFCs to ensure practical, field-based insights inform public policy. The research presented showed a need for stronger collaboration and continuity in NTFC operations to enhance sustainable outcomes.
  • SMEs in Focus: As the backbone of many economies, SMEs were identified as key beneficiaries of well-implemented trade facilitation measures, but only if given a voice in shaping them.

The course gathered experts and learners from around the globe to explore emerging themes such as green trade, e-commerce, and digitalisation. FIATA is proud to support these knowledge-sharing platforms that help shape more inclusive, sustainable, and forward-looking trade systems.

🔗 Explore FIATA’s guidance on the WTO-TFA.

Sustainability: FIATA Contributes to Industry Progress as Jury Member in TIACA Sustainability Awards 2025

FIATA is delighted to congratulate Ostend-Bruges Airport, which has been named winner of the Corporate Category in the 2025 Air Cargo Sustainability Awards (read the official press release: TIACA Announces Ostend Bruges Airport as the Winner of the Corporate Sustainability Award 2025), organised by The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA), for its innovative biodiversity programme. FIATA was pleased to once again be part of the Awards, with its Legal Services Director, Andrea Tang, participating in the jury panel for the third year running, signifying FIATA's continued commitment to championing sustainable air cargo. 

The Awards recognise outstanding businesses and industry initiatives working towards a more sustainable air cargo future, with two categories being judged: (1): Start-Up/Small Business, and (2) Corporate and established businesses. FIATA’s continued engagement in these Awards underlines its commitment to promoting sustainable, inclusive, and forward-looking practices across all modes of transport, and reinforces FIATA’s leadership in driving environmental awareness and good governance within the industry. 

The winning initiative from the Corporate Category brings together local governments, farmers, and beekeepers, and demonstrates the power of collective action in balancing logistics operations with ecological preservation. Ostend-Bruges Airport’s efforts not only benefit the environment but also foster meaningful community involvement, a model that aligns closely with FIATA’s vision of empowering the logistics sector through responsible, people-centred solutions.

FIATA congratulates all participants for their efforts and TIACA for continuing to shine a spotlight on sustainability in air cargo. The three finalists of the Startup/Small Business Category (read the official press release: TIACA Announces the 7th Sustainability Award Finalists) based on the jury selection, Bioaqualife, Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics (IML) and Goods2Load, will present at the TIACA Executive Summit 2025 in Hong Kong, for vote by the live audience.

Shaping the Future of Trade: The Role of Negotiable Cargo Documents in Finance

FIATA Participated in the session "Transforming Supply Chains: The Impact of Negotiable Cargo Documents on Multimodal Transport".
From left to right: Ms. Regina Asariotis, Head of the Trade Logistics Branch, Chief Policy and Legislation Section, Division on Technology and Logistics, UN Trade and Development; Ms. Andrea Tang, FIATA Legal Services Director; Mr James Hookham, Director, Global Shippers Forum; Mr Fedor Kormilitsyn, Economic Affairs Officer, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific.

On 27 May, the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) hosted a special global conference "Shaping the Future: The Impact of Negotiable Cargo Documents on Trade Finance, Regional Connectivity and Digital Evolution”, in partnership with the International Trade Centre (ITC), the UN Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT), and the UN Economic Commission for Asia-Pacific (UN ESCAP). The Conference explored key features of the draft Negotiable Cargo Documents (NCD) Convention, which is expected to be finalised at the upcoming UNCITRAL Commission in July, and to which FIATA has been a longstanding active contributor within the auspices of the dedicated UNCITRAL Working Group VI. Key themes included: understanding NCDs, how NCDs can help bridge the trade finance gap for small businesses, the role of transport corridors and NCDs in boosting trade, the impact of NCDs on multimodal transport, and the digitalisation of NCDs and the role of digital standards.

FIATA, represented by its Legal Services Director, Andrea Tang, was pleased to participate as a speaker in a special session "Transforming Supply Chains: The Impact of Negotiable Cargo Documents on Multimodal Transport". The session focused on the future impact of NCDs on multimodal transport, noting the significance of the draft Convention for the recognition of documents of title in door-to-door transport and multimodality. The session kicked off with a shipper-forwarder role-play between FIATA and the Global Shippers Forum (GSF) in a mock scenario involving the possible diversion of goods destined for the United States, to another potential buyer in Azerbaijan. The dialogue centred around the use of the electronic negotiable FIATA Multimodal Transport Bill of Lading (eFBL) as a useful and flexible solution, that is currently the only globally recognised negotiable multimodal transport document in existence today and fully digital and interoperable with key supply chain processes. The role play provided an excellent opportunity to showcase the clear benefits the draft Convention would bring for global trade, particularly in today's disrupted environment. The dialogue was followed by a panel discussion, which featured FIATA, the Global Shippers Forum, the TT Club, and the UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), delved deeper into the benefits of the Convention for forwarders and shippers, as well as insurance and legal considerations.

FIATA congratulates UNCITRAL on this excellent conference and looks forward to the upcoming UNCITRAL Commission in July during which the adoption of the draft NCD Convention will be under consideration. FIATA remains committed to contributing and supporting this important work.

Airfreight Security Regulations Reminder: USA TSA Lifts EBR Requirements

FIATA reminds its Members that the United States (US) Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has recently revised its cargo security requirements on the Established Business Relationship (EBR) requirement.

As previously communicated in the FIATA Alert, the TSA had implemented new security measures in 2024, mandating that an EBR Form accompany all cargo shipments transported on passenger air carriers to, or transiting through, the US from Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

Effective 1 May 2025, the TSA officially lifted the EBR requirement for such shipments, as communicated by aviation security authorities to air carriers such as Lufthansa Cargo and American Airlines. As a result, freight forwarders and shippers are no longer required to submit the EBR form when tendering cargo to airlines destined to the US if the shipment originates from the territories mentioned here.

Airlines will however continue to request and verify EBR documentation for goods destined to Canada and Australia. Additionally, the EBR form remains mandatory for all cargo shipments originating from TSA-designated countries that are transiting through the US, en route to Canada or Australia. Freight forwarders are advised to check with their partner airlines and remain informed on destination-specific requirements.

Freight forwarders are advised to check with their partner airlines and remain informed on destination-specific requirements.

FIATA will continue to monitor regulatory developments and advise freight forwarders to remain informed on destination-specific requirements in order to be compliant with the security requirements.

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