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

FIATA Events, ICS2 Expansion, YLP Deadline Extension, Digitalisation, an Exclusive Interview & More!

FIATA e-flash
10 February 2025

Join Us at the 2025 FIATA HQ Meeting in Geneva!

FIATA invites you to the 2025 Headquarters (HQ) Meeting, taking place from 17–20 March 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland. This year’s theme, “Interconnecting Logistics”, highlights the importance of collaboration and innovation within the freight forwarding and logistics industry.

This event will bring together professionals from across the sector for engaging discussions, strategic networking, and expert-led sessions designed to shape the future of global logistics.

Event Highlights

Key Topics Include:

🗺️ Addressing Major Issues in Multimodal Transport Logistics

✈️ Building a Modern Air Freight Logistics Future

🔒 Facing Cybersecurity Challenges with World Economic Forum

🤝 Fostering collaboration for the future of freight forwarding

🛃 Implementing the WCO Shenzhen Action Plan on AEO Programmes

↔️ Optimising Key Multimodal Transport Corridors with the International Transport Forum, UN ESCAP and UN/CEFACT

🌍 Leveraging Regional Free Trade Agreements

🌐 Data Ownership and Trusted Networks in Practice

💻 Everything You Need to Know to Start Using the eFBL

🛡️ Practical Aspects to Insure Freight Forwarders' Risks

Access the full programme here!

Networking & Exclusive Meetings
Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with industry leaders, participate in structured networking sessions, and engage in FIATA Member-exclusive meetings aimed at shaping the organisation’s strategic direction.

Registration Details
Secure your place at the 2025 FIATA HQ Meeting and register today!

Discover Geneva
Take advantage of your time in Geneva to explore its stunning scenery, rich culture, and world-class attractions. For guided tours and travel recommendations, visit the official Swiss Tours website.

Click on the following links for more information on day trips and excursions:

Don’t miss this key event in the logistics calendar – register now and join us in Geneva!

Register Today!

Safety and Security: The EU's ICS2 Extends to Rail and Road on 1 April 2025, Covering All Modes of Transport

The European Union's (EU) Import Control System 2 (ICS2) aims to enhance the safety and security of goods entering the EU by introducing a standardised pre-arrival customs process for all transportation modes, including road and rail, in addition to the existing air, maritime, and inland waterway requirements. By mandating the submission of accurate and complete Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) data prior to arrival, ICS2 enables customs authorities to better assess the risks associated with incoming goods, thereby improving the EU's ability to prevent and combat customs offenses, and ultimately ensuring a safer and more secure trade environment.

From 1 April 2025, road and rail carriers will need to provide data on goods sent to or through the EU prior to their arrival, through a complete ENS. This obligation also concerns postal and express carriers who transport goods using these modes of transport as well as other parties, such as logistics providers. In certain circumstances, final consignees established in the EU will also have to submit ENS data to ICS2.

Economic operators who are not ready by this date need to contact the National Service Desk of the EU Member State (National Customs Authority) where they have registered and obtained their Economic Operators Registration and Identification (EORI) number, to request a deployment window by 1 March 2025 at the latest. Deployment windows are granted only upon request.

To comply with the ICS2 requirements, affected businesses will be required to make sure they collect accurate and complete data from their clients, update their IT systems and operational processes, and provide adequate training to their staff. Economic operators will also need to successfully complete a self-conformance test before connecting to ICS2, to verify their ability to access and exchange messages with customs authorities. Goods might be stopped at the EU borders and might not be cleared by the customs authorities if traders do not meet the ICS2 requirements on time.

For more information

Training and Professional Development: Deadline for YLP Nomination Extended!

We have extended the nomination deadline for the FIATA Young Logistics Professionals (YLP) Award to 17 February 2025.

If you haven’t nominated a candidate yet, this is your chance! Don't miss the opportunity to put forward a talented young professional from your territory for them to gain global recognition, expand their network, and take their career to the next level. This year, the regional winners get the chance to travel to Hanoi, Vietnam, for the 2025 FIATA World Congress!

📅 New deadline: 17 February 2025 
🔗 Send your Nomination of Candidate to [email protected]. 

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out at [email protected].

Digitalisation: FIATA Champions Digital Solutions for Global Trade at GAFTA Seminar

From left to right: GAFTA Director General, Jaine Chisholm Caunt OBE; BIMCO Chief Digital Officer, Grant Hunter; SGS Vice President, Paul Harrison; and FIATA Director General, Dr Stéphane Graber.

The digitalisation of the supply chain requires cooperation and knowledge sharing between the stakeholders, as demonstrated during the GAFTA Seminar, where FIATA and BIMCO, also representing the FIT Alliance, participated in insightful discussions.

On 6 February 2025, FIATA Director General Dr Stéphane Graber joined a high-level panel at the Agri-Digital Age Seminar, hosted by the Grain and Feed Trade Association (GAFTA) in Geneva. The session was also broadcasted online and explored the role of digitalisation in agricultural trade, focusing on operational efficiency, transparency, security, and interoperability.

Moderated by GAFTA Director General, Ms Jaine Chisholm Caunt OBE, the discussion highlighted, among other key topics, the work of United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), supported by FIATA, in developing a new Multimodal Negotiable Cargo Document Convention. Participants emphasised the challenges of market fragmentation, which requires industry-wide collaboration rather than isolated digital solutions and the need for interoperability among stakeholders.

FIATA showcased the digital Negotiable FIATA Multimodal Transport Bill of Lading (eFBL), a fully open, blockchain-secured solution accessible via API services, allowing seamless FBL management within existing Transport Management Systems (TMS) and software platforms. A case study from November 2024 demonstrated the eFBL’s potential for trade financing, featuring a Kazakhstan-China rail shipment financed by the Bank of China and referencing the provisions of the forthcoming Multimodal Negotiable Cargo Document Convention. This successful example reinforced the value of FIATA’s digital solutions such as the eFBL and FIATA's work in enhancing legal certainty for shipment that does not involve a maritime leg.

For more on FIATA’s legal work at UNCITRAL, contact [email protected].
To start using the eFBL, reach out to [email protected].
For a more detailed summary of the seminar, click here.

Customs: FIATA Advances eFBL Integration with WCO Data Model for Customs Efficiency

On 30-31 January, FIATA, represented by the FIATA Legal Services Director, Andrea Tang, attended the World Customs Organization (WCO) Data Model Projects Team (DMPT) to discuss and present on the ongoing mapping work between the WCO Data Model and the electronic FIATA Multimodal Transport Bill of Lading (eFBL) data standard. The aim of this work is to ensure a customs-compatible API, which can then be used to directly connect customs to the relevant eFBL data.

The plenary session was preceded by a focus group held on 30 January, which provided the opportunity for FIATA to have an in-depth discussion with technical expert representatives from customs administrations on the eFBL and its benefits for customs. FIATA was pleased to note the strong support expressed by a number of customs administrations towards this work, who saw particular benefit in the ability to draw high quality data from the house-level information at an earlier stage in the process, rather than relying on third party information. This was seen to be a particular advantage for pre-loading advance cargo information (PLACI) regimes. Several customs administrations expressed their interest in conducting pilots and implementing the eFBL API. Further work will continue over this year to further refine the data model mapping. Meanwhile, in cooperation with its international partners, FIATA will continue to build on the recent eFBL pilot success to expand pilots to include customs administrations.

Maritime: Exclusive Interview with Paul Walter, Strategy Director of Digitalisation at the Port of Rotterdam

Strengthening Supply Chain Resilience through Digitalisation

For years, maritime transport and logistics have faced challenges due to limited planning data in port hubs. The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent supply chain disruptions have emphasised the need for better access to operational data from ports and terminals. To address this, FIATA joined the international Supply Chain Resilience Task Force. This initiative, organised by the International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH), brings together key global organisations, including Digital Container Shipping Association (DCSA), Terminal Industry Committee (TIC) 4.0, International Port Community Systems Association (IPCSA) and FIATA as key contributing partners to standardise data access and improve quality by directly retrieving information from sources such as terminals. Secure identification and authorisation will ensure that only authorised stakeholders access critical data. In 2025, the task force will partner with United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT) to develop a global standard. To explore how digitalisation is driving resilience in global supply chains, FIATA sat down with Paul Walter, Strategy Director of Digitalisation at the Port of Rotterdam and a key member of the Supply Chain Resilience Task Force. In this exclusive interview, Walter shares insights on the importance of data standardisation, interoperability, and collaboration between key industry stakeholders.

What are the objectives of the Supply Chain Resilience Task Force, and how do they contribute to more efficient supply chains?

The task force aims to enhance transparency and predictability in port hubs for Beneficial Cargo Owners (BCOs). BCOs often lack direct contracts with terminals or ports due to outsourced logistics, creating visibility challenges. This initiative will strengthen supply chain resilience by helping cargo owners anticipate disruptions and optimise logistics operations.

Why is collaboration between IAPH, FIATA, and the freight forwarding community essential for driving digitalisation and improving data quality in Port Community Systems (PCS)?

Freight forwarders play a key role in making supply chains efficient. Ports can support interoperability for data access, but global adoption is only possible with a common standard. Without a unified approach, digitalisation will not reach its full potential.

How does eFBL enhance data quality and interoperability across port systems?

The eFBL (digital Negotiable FIATA Multimodal Transport Bill of Lading) is crucial for identity verification. It must interact with local PCS and terminals to validate identity and authorise access to trusted data. Integrating the eFBL into port systems streamlines authentication, ensuring secure and reliable data exchange.

In what ways is the Task Force strengthening interoperable data exchange, security, and trust in PCS operations?

Many countries, including those within the European Union (EU) Data Act framework, promote interoperability through a federated structure. This allows peer-to-peer (party-to-party) data disclosure once identity and access rights are confirmed. The task force will use this model to develop process standards for UN/CEFACT, ensuring secure and seamless data exchange in the global supply chain.

The Supply Chain Resilience Task Force, composed of ChainPORT, IAPH, DCSA, TIC 4.0, IPCSA, and FIATA, is driving global port digitalisation. Through collaboration, they are promoting interoperable data exchange to enhance efficiency, reduce disruptions, and strengthen the global supply chain.

Upcoming FIATA Events

  • 2025 HQ Meeting in Geneva Switzerland: 17-20 March
  • 2025 FIATA-RAME Field Meeting, Zanzibar, Tanzania: 30 April-1 May
  • 2025 FIATA-RAP Field Meeting, Delhi, India: 21-24 May
  • 2025 Statutory General Meeting, Virtual: 27 June
  • 2025 FIATA-RAMs Field Meeting, São Paulo, Brazil, Q3, dates tbc
  • 2025 FIATA-REU Field Meeting, Prague, Czechia: 3-5 September
  • 2025 FIATA World Congress, Hanoi, Vietnam: 6-10 October