Strengthening Supply Chains, Trade Facilitation, and Digitalisation Updates
Maritime: Forwarders’ Role in a Changing Global Logistics Landscape
From left to right: Mr Nanne Schriek, Project Manager Supply Chain Management, evofenedex; Mr Jen Roemer, FIATA Senior Vice-President; and Anne Kerriou, Editorial Manager, Upply.
On 13 November, FIATA Senior Vice-President Mr Jens Roemer spoke at the panel “How are cargo owners and freight forwarders reacting to the changing world?” during the 4th edition of the Logistics for Europe Conference, organised by CLECAT and the European Shippers’ Council. The session also featured Mr Nanne Schriek, Project Manager Supply Chain Management at evofenedex, and was moderated by Ms Anne Kerriou, Editorial Manager at Upply.
Mr Roemer reflected on the evolution of freight forwarders from transport architects to orchestrators of global connectivity, recalling that FIATA launched the FIATA Multimodal Transport Bill of Lading as early as 1986, enabling seamless movements under a single contract. He noted that strong global networks continue to underpin this service, ensuring reliable end-to-end delivery.
He explained that agility and customer focus remain central to the forwarding profession. Without the burden of owned assets, forwarders can select the most suitable options for their customers and offer tailored multimodal solutions. Their expertise now spans supply chain consultancy, digital trade documentation including the digital negotiable FIATA Multimodal Transport Bill of Lading (eFBL), compliance, resilience, routing optimisation, crisis response, carbon strategies and risk assessment.
Commenting on current market dynamics, Mr Roemer pointed to the increasing concentration of global container shipping and the ongoing “digitalisation paradox”, where technological progress contrasts with longer door-to-door lead times on major corridors. Congestion persists at European terminals, with large vessels, volatile schedules and late closing changes placing pressure on operations. Forwarding teams must repeatedly adapt arrangements to unpredictable arrivals, affecting productivity and motivation.
The panel also discussed human resources as a defining strength and source of vulnerability within the logistics sector. While disruptions can be anticipated but never precisely predicted, well-trained personnel remain indispensable, and no algorithm or Artificial Intelligence can replace their judgement. The resilience demonstrated during the pandemic reaffirmed this.
Mr Roemer raised concerns regarding congestion, demurrage and detention, noting that container dwell times have more than doubled with larger vessels and shifting schedules. Terminal capacity limits make these conditions difficult to manage. He observed that reducing free demurrage and detention periods does not improve fluidity when dwell times remain high, and called for reasonable free times to ensure that tariffs fulfil their intended purpose.
Cooperation across the maritime supply chain also featured prominently in the discussion. While each actor has its own priorities, improving the performance of the supply chain is a shared responsibility and essential for the customers it serves. He underlined the important role of freight forwarders, who benefit from end-to-end visibility and access to high-quality original data and are therefore well positioned to support more connected, efficient and resilient solutions.
He welcomed CLECAT’s call to revisit maritime logistics performance and governance and highlighted FIATA’s contributions through the FIT Alliance, which promotes standardisation and effective use of technology and data, as well as through the Cargo Integrity Group, which advances cooperation to strengthen safety and efficiency.
From left to right: Mr Jens Roemer, FIATA Senior Vice-President; Mr Dimitri Serafimoff, CLECAT President; Mr Paul Grobler, International Development, Conex System; and Dr Stéphane Graber, FIATA Director General.
Sustainability: Advancing Reliable CO₂ Data for Global Transport
Last week, FIATA, represented by Ms Sofia Aiche, FIATA Project Officer, attended the International Air Transport Association (IATA) CO₂ Data Workshop. The event highlighted a shared message across the transport sector: the sustainability discussion is moving from opinion to reliable data. As emissions reporting becomes more regulated and carries financial implications, the industry needs trusted, consistent and verifiable carbon emission (CO₂) figures.
Speakers stressed that methodologies are crucial. Cargo moves on shared assets, vehicle sizes and fuels vary, and each mode applies standards differently. While aviation has progressed with harmonised approaches, maritime remains more fragmented. Customers increasingly expect credible and approved methods, not theoretical models.
Real data is now essential, supported by strong IT systems to ensure accuracy along the value chain. Shippers noted that they rely on freight forwarders’ data for their own decarbonisation plans, but current CO2 calculators depend heavily on the quality of the input.
Regulation is expected to accelerate alignment. New European Union (EU) regulations entering into force in September 2026 will tighten conditions around environmental claims and limit how companies can communicate about mandatory green fuel use.
The workshop reiterated the need for the industry to apply the robust methodologies that already exist. For freight forwarders, accurate CO2 data has become a core part of supporting customers and meeting emerging regulatory expectations.
In this evolving regulatory context, FIATA can support its members by raising awareness of the new requirements, promoting transparent and accurate CO₂ reporting, and encouraging the use of reliable methodologies across transport modes. FIATA remains available to provide guidance and help members navigate these changes. Members who have questions or wish to discuss this further may contact [email protected].
Trade Facilitation: Enhancing Efficiency, Inclusivity and Resilience in Global Supply Chains
H.E Kamel Rezig, Minister of Trade and Export Promotion, Algeria and Dr Stéphane Graber, FIATA Director General.
During the 16th UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD16), held from 20 to 23 October 2025, FIATA, represented by its Director General, Dr Stéphane Graber, participated in the Ministerial Roundtable titled “Towards resilient, sustainable and inclusive supply chains and trade logistics.”
The roundtable brought together ministers from Algeria, Angola, Comoros, India, Lesotho, Panama and Saudi Arabia and international organisations to discuss the growing challenges facing global and regional supply chains. Speakers included Mr Kamel Rezig, Minister of Trade and Export Promotion, Algeria; Mr Ricardo Viegas D'Abreu, Minister of Transport, Angola; Mr Moustoifa Hassani Mohamed, Minister of Economy, Industry, and Investments, Comoros; Mr Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry, India; Mr Mokhethi Shelile, Minister of Trade, Industry and Business Development, Lesotho; Mr Julio Moltó, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Panama; Mr Saleh bin Nasser Al Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistics Services, Saudi Arabia; Ms Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary General of UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD); Moderated by Ms Naledi Moleo, Journalist and News Anchor, eNCA – eNews Channel Africa; and Dr Stéphane Graber, Director General of FIATA.
Discussions focused on the impact of pandemics, geopolitical tensions, and climate-related events on trade and logistics systems, particularly for developing countries, landlocked nations, developing territories, and small island developing States. Panellists explored key challenges, potential solutions, and policy priorities to strengthen resilience, sustainability, and inclusivity in supply chains.
FIATA presented key strategies to support resilient and sustainable supply chains, emphasising the importance of multimodal connectivity, legal harmonisation, digital exchange, and inclusion. These efforts are underpinned by the Negotiable FIATA Multimodal Transport Bill of Lading (FBL) and skills development through FIATA’s global minimum standards in freight forwarding. FIATA also called for the ratification of the Model Law on Electronic Transferable Records (MLETR) and the adoption of the new United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Negotiable Cargo Document (NCD) Convention. Additionally, it recommended leveraging Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programmes and trade facilitation, harmonising border-crossing processes, and formally recognising freight forwarders in national regulations.
Finally, FIATA stressed UNCTAD’s unique position to support both public and private sectors in developing countries by fostering collaboration, shaping policy frameworks, and driving innovation across global supply chains.
Dr Graber congratulated Mr Saleh Bin Nasser Al Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistics Services, Saudi Arabia, for hosting the second Global Supply Chain Forum, reaffirming FIATA’s active collaboration with the Saudi Logistics Academy and its Chief Executive Officer, Dr Abdullah Alabdulkarim, with whom FIATA has an MoU signed in 2025, and he assured Saudi Arabia and UNCTAD of FIATA’s full support for the success of this second edition. Insights from the roundtable will feed into preparations for the second Global Supply Chain Forum, scheduled for November 2026 in Saudi Arabia, underlining the importance of international collaboration, investment in resilient infrastructure, and coordinated policy support to ensure robust and sustainable supply chains for the most vulnerable countries.
Customs: FIATA Strengthens Engagement on SAFE, AEO Inclusion and Data Requirements
The FIATA Legal Services Director was at the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Headquarters in Brussels on 10-14 November at the occasion of the WCO Private Sector Consultative Group (PSCG) and the WCO SAFE Working Group. The WCO PSCG, of which FIATA is a member, is the key body for the purpose of informing and advising the WCO Secretary General, the Policy Commission and WCO Members on customs and international trade matters from the perspective of the private sector.
The PSCG meeting provided rich discussions on topics such as AEO programmes, e-commerce and intellectual property rights, and how the PSCG can reinforce its recommendations and input to the WCO. As the PSCG meeting preceded the SAFE WG, it provided the opportunity to prepare the PSCG contributions to the SAFE WG, in which it has been actively participating. Given the rapid growth of e-commerce, new information regulatory requirements imposed by customs, and the challenge of balancing security imperatives with trade facilitation, it was determined that a new sub-group be set up within the PSCG to work on this topic with a particular lens on data. This sub-group will be led by FIATA together with DHL, and will work to provide recommendations to the next WCO Permanent Technical Committee.
The SAFE WG provided for further discussion regarding the ongoing review of the implementation of the SAFE Framework of Standards (SAFE FoS). Further to in-depth studies undertaken within the SAFE WG mini-group, within which FIATA participated, the need for greater inclusion of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) within Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programmes emerged as a key priority. In addition, the need for greater coordination with other government agencies and to increase mutual recognition agreements, as well as the ongoing challenge of differing implementation levels of SAFE amongst different jurisdictions, were key themes throughout the discussion. Key outcomes included the agreement to suspend the next 2025-2028 SAFE review cycle, noting that further work should take place on measuring the implementation of the SAFE FoS before new proposals to amend SAFE are further considered. Further work will take place within the SAFE mini-group on the development of measurement tools to assist customs in this regard.
Digitalisation: FIATA Monitors eFTI Implementation and Opportunities for Freight Forwarders
On 21 October 2025, FIATA took part online in the Tomorrow’s Freight Transport Conference, jointly organised by the eFTI4EU and eFTI4ALL projects and held at the German Federal Ministry of Transport in Berlin. The event focused on the implementation of the electronic Freight Transport Information (eFTI) Regulation and brought together transport companies, digital solution providers, Member State authorities, European Union representatives, and other industry stakeholders.
The eFTI framework provides a common European Union legal basis for electronic exchange of freight-transport information. Once the regulation is fully implemented, authorities will be required to accept submissions via certified platforms, using harmonised data sets and standardised verification procedures. Several pilot programs are already in place, some of which were highlighted during the conference, including cross-border interoperability tests, digital management of dangerous goods documentation, and multi-country short-sea operations, demonstrating growing readiness among authorities and service providers.
Further information on the ongoing pilots can be found here.
The European Commission has outlined the expected timeline for eFTI implementation:
- By December 2025: the Commission plans to adopt the remaining implementing specifications setting detailed functional and technical requirements for eFTI platforms and service providers.
- From January 2026: Member States’ authorities may begin to accept data stored on certified eFTI platforms for inspection purposes.
- By 9 July 2027: Full application of the eFTI Regulation, all Member States’ authorities must accept electronic freight transport information via certified eFTI platforms.
FIATA will continue following the evolution of the eFTI framework closely, ensuring that freight forwarders are informed and prepared to adapt to a more efficient and digitally enabled freight ecosystem.
For FIATA Members, this transition represents an important opportunity. While use will remain voluntary, early understanding will help freight forwarders adapt systems and processes for a more efficient, harmonised, and digitally enabled supply chain.
Members seeking guidance are invited to contact [email protected].
Digitalisation: FIT Alliance Webinar Highlights Path Forward for eBL Interoperability
The FIT Alliance, formed by BIMCO, Digital Container Shipping Association (DCSA), FIATA, International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and Swift to advance global adoption of electronic Bills of Lading through shared standards and coordinated industry action, is hosting webinar on 27 November 2025 at 13:00 CET to explore practical pathways for accelerating electronic Bill of Lading (eBL) adoption. Titled “Unlocking Digital Trade: eBL Interoperability for Container Shipping”, the session will outline the latest insights shaping the next phase of digital integration across global supply chains.
Participants will gain an inside look at the DCSA-led interoperability pilot and the progress achieved so far, offering a clearer understanding of how harmonised approaches can remove barriers to implementation. The webinar will feature Ms Flavia Buso, Product Owner for DCSA, who will share operational learnings and perspectives from the industry’s front line.
The session will guide attendees through practical resources designed to support organisations at various stages of their eBL journey, helping freight forwarders and supply chain actors move with confidence towards more efficient, secure, and resilient documentation processes.
FIATA encourages the community to join this discussion and contribute to the wider momentum towards global harmonisation in digital trade.
Register now for the "Unlocking Digital Trade: eBL Interoperability for Container Shipping" webinar!
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