UNCITRAL, UNECE, UNCTAD, ITC, IATA, IRU, ICHCA, TIACA, the World Bank, DCSA, and Global Shippers' Forum confirm presence at FIATA HQ Meeting

FIATA e-flash

14 April 2022

UNCITRAL, UNECE, UNCTAD, ITC, IATA, IRU, ICHCA, TIACA, the World Bank, DCSA, and Global Shippers' Forum confirm presence at FIATA HQ Meeting

FIATA is pleased to reveal that key international organisations in the supply chain and logistics sector (UNCITRAL, UNECE, UNCTAD, ITC, IATA, IRU, ICHCA, TIACA, the World Bank, DCSA, and Global Shippers' Forum) have confirmed their participation in sessions of the FIATA Institutes and Bodies in the FIATA HQ Meeting 2022.

Some of the key themes to be addressed in FIATA Institutes and Bodies sessions at the FIATA HQ Meeting 2022 include:

'Legal Aspects of the Use of Electronic Transport Documents'
'Building Best Practices for the Use of Electronic Contracts'
'Practical Actions to Improve Safety and Security in the Supply Chain'
'Promoting Safety in Container Shipping'
'The Challenges of Cargo Crime'
'2022: The Year of All Dangers - Impacts for Global Supply Chains?'

...and many more!

Have you reserved your spot to attend the FIATA HQ Meeting 2022? Register in-person or online now to make your contribution and discuss key topics for the future of the freight forwarding industry!

Stay tuned for more updates on the programme and the full line-up of the event in the coming days and weeks!

Please note that FIATA HQ meeting is open to FIATA members only. To become a FIATA member, click here.

FIATA visits Busan ahead of FIATA World Congress

Last week, FIATA Congress Committee Chair Krishnan Chelliah and Director General Dr Stéphane Graber visited the site set to host the FIATA World Congress 2022 together, in Busan, South Korea. FIATA was met by Park Hyeong-Jun (Mayor, Busan Metropolitan City), Kang Jun-Seok (CEO, Busan Port Authority), Kim Jong-Deok (President, Korea Maritime Institute), Sin Sang-Hae (Chairman, Busan Metropolitan Council) and Noh Hyeong-Ouk (Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport) amongst others.

Tours were given of the conference centre and the facilities which will be used for the Congress, and the organising committee warmly welcomed FIATA to set the scene for what is to come in September. The group discussed the event programme and organisation, as well as the current global freight forwarding situation which will no doubt lay the ground for exciting and productive discussions at the upcoming Congress.

Keep up to date with FIATA news to find out how to register for the FIATA World Congress, and more details on the event itself.

Maritime webinar on vertical integration- REGISTER NOW!

FIATA, in partnership with the Global Supply Chain Classroom, is organising a three-part webinar series on the critical topic of ‘Market Structure and Maritime Competition’, as part of FIATA’s ongoing efforts to address the maritime supply chain crisis.

Session 1 and 2, scheduled on 28 April 2022 and 10 May 2022, will be online lectures delivered by top academic and industry experts and aim at providing in-depth background and historical knowledge.
Session 3, taking place on 20 May 2022 in hybrid format, will feature a high-level panel offering insight into possible solutions to tackle the crisis.

WTO members address transit issues in landlocked countries

Landlocked countries face ever more pressure from supply chain challenges, including those brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. The WTO held a dedicated session on 4-5 April on the specific industry challenges faced by landlocked countries, and speakers spoke out on the importance of infrastructure developments, digitalisation, the streamlining and transparency of procedures, and collaboration between landlocked and transit countries. Their report added that support was indicated for a communication from over 40 members seeking the accelerated implementation of the TFA in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

FIATA places great importance on ensuring full and effective implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement, and ensuring that all countries are able to have effective access to the logistics supply chain, irrespective of geographical position. This will continue to be looked at within the relevant FIATA Institutes and Bodies as part of FIATA’s work on trade facilitation, to work on the global level in support of the freight forwarding and logistics community.

In other WTO news...The Financial Times yesterday shared an opinion piece by Director General Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala following the WTO Global Supply Chains Forum, which FIATA took part in a few weeks ago. The Forum brought together ocean carriers, port operators, logistics companies and financial institutions to look at the supply chain crisis and possible responses. She addresses structural weaknesses, crippled port services, climate issues and expresses the importance of coordinated action amongst industry actors to overcome the current challenges.

Lack of containers in pressured supply chain leading to damaged goods

With continually pressured logistics supply chains in the last year, the maritime freight sector is seeing an increasing number of damaged containers and goods. The Deutsche Verkehrs-Zeitung (DVZ) reports that goods, which would normally be transported in sacks for example, such as coffee, are now being transported in bulk - this is the case for millions of tonnes of goods worldwide. Mechanical damage of goods and packages during loading, caused by overstacking, falling goods and nudging seem to be the main causes.

According to a global investigation, the main goods affected are plywood, granite slabs, and hardware store items. The investigation suggests that the damage occurred in China, and significant testing and sorting had to be carried out to put the items back into sellable condition.

FIATA will assess the situation with its members and consider whether any actions can be taken to support those of them who may be facing the issue of damaged goods.

Agenda

Upcoming events:

28 April 12:00-13:00 CEST ¦ Webinar series on ‘Market Structure and Maritime Competition' organised by FIATA
17-20 May ¦ FIATA HQ Meeting 2022, Geneva with the participation of all FIATA Association members, their delegates and international partner organisations