Annual Report 2013-2014

ANNUAL REPORT
2013/2014
Doc. 30/295
Glattbrugg, August 31st 2014
Published by FIATA

All rights reserved.
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CONTENTS
The Structure of FIATA
3
FIATA President’s Report
4
Director General’s Report
6
Airfreight Institute (AFI)
9
Customs Affairs Institute (CAI)
13
Multimodal Transport Institute (MTI)
15
Advisory Body of International Affairs (ABIA)
19
Advisory Body Legal Matters (ABLM)
Advisory Body Safety and Security (ABSS)
20
23
Advisory Body Vocational Training (ABVT)
FIATA Foundation
Concluding Note
25
29
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Registered Office:
FIATA
International Federation of Freight
Forwarders Associations
Schaffhauserstrasse 104
P.O. Box 364
CH- 8152 Glattbrugg
Switzerland
Phone: +41 (0)43 211 65 00
Fax:
+41 (0)43 211 65 65
e-Mail: [email protected]
Website: www.fiata.com
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THE STRUCTURE OF FIATA
Presidency
President of FIATA
Immediate Past President
Secretary General
Treasurer
Senior Vice Presidents
Francesco S. Parisi
Stanley Lim Hwee Hong
Heiner Rogge
Jean-Claude Delen
Babar Badat
Huxiang Zhao
Suwit Ratanachinda
Italy
Singapore
Germany
Belgium
Pakistan
China
Thailand
Vice Presidents
Krishnan Chelliah
Turgut Erkeskin
Paul Golland
Robert Kingsford Kutin
Ivan Liptuga
Stephen Parker
David Phillips
Jens Roemer
Antonella Straulino
Peter Yang
Sergey Zhelannov
Keshav Tanna
Malaysia
Turkey
Australia
Ghana
Ukraine
United Kingdom
United Arab Emirates
Belgium
Italy
Chinese Taipei
Russian Federation
India
Chairman AFI
Chairman CAI
Chairman MTI
Rodolfo J.C. Sagel
Stephen J. Morris
Robert Keen
Argentina
Australia
United Kingdom
Chairman ABLM
Chairman ABVT
Chairman ABSS
Chairman ABIA
Richard D. Gluck
Thomas Sim
David Fielder
Babar Badat
United States
Singapore
Denmark
Pakistan
Chairman RAME
Chairman RAMNS
Chairman RAP
Chairman REU
Basil Pietersen
Rodolfo J. C. Sagel
Chris Kanter
Ivan Petrov
South Africa
Argentina
Indonesia
Bulgaria
Extended Board
Secretariat
Director-General
Manager AFI, CAI, RAP
Manager ABLM, ABSM, RAME
Manager ABVT, RAMNS
Manager MTI, REU
Manager ABIA, ABIT
Administration
Administration
Intern
Marco L. Sorgetti
Daniel Bloch
Peter Maegerle
Verena Schaer
René Zimmermann
Bassil Eid
Fauzia Nikzad
Barbara Wieser
Matthew Houston
FIATA Foundation
Aldo da Ros, President
Barbara Wieser, Secretary
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FIATA PRESIDENT’S REPORT
This is my first address as FIATA President, having been elected last year at the 2013
FIATA World Congress in Singapore. It is my honour to serve as President, following in the
footsteps of many great past presidents who have occupied this role before me. Almost a
year now into my tenure and I can already say that there is much on the horizon for FIATA.
I take on this new role at a time when international trade is experiencing stagnant growth.
As our trade routes become more competitive and freight rates fall, our industry’s
traditional bargaining power becomes ever more challenging.
The key to persevering through such difficult times appears to lie in our ability to improve
competence and knowledge and to be innovative in Vocational Training, which is no doubt
one of the key priorities for FIATA. It is our objective to further strengthen the training
activities distributed by FIATA, which is truly global and has achieved a robustly positive
reputation. FIATA’s Advisory Body of Vocational Training has now validated 69
programmes in 57 countries and continues to encourage the rest of the Association
Members to come forward and offer the FIATA Diploma for those successfully graduating
students. These Association Members have endeavoured to meet stringent requirements
necessary to achieve validation or revalidation and enhance the standard of knowledge in
our industry. Based on strong demands from various regions and the industry at large,
FIATA is preparing to invest new resources for the development of new
programmes/products in the field of education.
As far as innovation is concerned, one important target for our members is to expand the
use of information technology within the core of many of our operations. FIATA is
currently supporting the efforts of our members by undertaking the project of digitalising
the FIATA Documents. We have carried out pilot trials on a developed platform and the
expanded implementation will now allow shippers and forwarders to assess the system’s
capabilities.
In addition to the above major projects, FIATA is working ever more closely with
international trade organisations. The WTO’s 9th Ministerial Conference in Bali, for which
FIATA was present to co-host a side event, struck a milestone agreement in trade
facilitation with all member states. FIATA has since enhanced its ties with the WTO and
taken its stance in support of the Bali Trade Agreement at numerous events and meetings
in which we have had the opportunity to participate.
In addition, UNCTAD had held three Geneva Dialogues discussing the role “Trade” as an
enabler and the need for its inclusion in the design of the Sustainable Development Goals
by the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development. FIATA participated in the two
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recent dialogues, the Second and Third, to highlight that trade must be feasible and
consequently logistics one of its most important enablers.
FIATA is also enhancing its work through multilateral banks. We are currently engaging
with the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank to identify new possible areas of
collaboration between our two organisations which can significantly impact our industry.
Speaking of the World Bank, FIATA has been cooperating enthusiastically in order to
collect data for the Logistics Performance Index (LPI). The LPI is a very successful
instrument, having become helpful in the financial world as governmental organisations
continue to place logistics at the centre of their economies.
Throughout the international community, logistics has often been taken for granted and
regularly overlooked. The truth is that the benefits received from a strong logistics sector
unfortunately go unnoticed until the sector is no longer effective, at which point, it becomes
too late to provide stimulus. This is why FIATA emphasises the need for logistics
connectivity to ensure a sustainable future not only for our industry but also the collective
global economy.
Throughout this Annual Report, you will find detailed account of the activities carried out
by the various Institutes and Advisory Bodies. It would be too long to mention all of them
but I would like to express my sincere thanks to all chairs and advisors who dedicate so
much of their time as volunteers for the benefit of our industry.
A special recognition is due to the members of the Airfreight Institute (AFI) for their
tremendous efforts in the process of negotiations with IATA for the Cargo Agency
Modernisation Programme.
My report would not be complete without an immense thank you to both my colleagues
within the Presidency and Extended Board as well as the staff of the Secretariat. It is a
pleasure to work with such dedicated professionals as they are truly the very heart and
soul of our organisation.
Francesco Stanislao Parisi
President, FIATA
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DIRECTOR GENERAL’S REPORT
It has almost been three years now since I took on the challenging post of FIATA’s Director
General and time has literally flown ever since. It has been rewarding, full of long working
days and enjoyable evenings spent on my laptop, which has never let me down. It was a
good move when we decided to change the entire IT system in 2012. I also spend much
time with the FIATA staff and delegates and this is the most revealing part of my
experience. The Secretariat is striving to grow FIATA to new heights and the combination
of older and younger staff we now have produces more and better results, the kind that I
was used to seeing in the past. At times, the work is demanding, working the extra mile is a
rule and results seem too far away, but one of our guys said “the feeling is rewarding,
knowing that you are working to make a difference in an industry that is critical to so many
economies.” I particularly like that expression and I believe many practitioners and
delegates should feel proud of this reality as well as of their FIATA-belonging, at least as
much as we are.
I am happy to state that FIATA has accomplished quite a lot throughout the last year.
Firstly, we launched our new FIATA Website, which includes the Automated Membership
Management System. This came with more thinking than we had anticipated and we are
still improving the service, but I am also glad to see that this is the orifice through which
new ideas are coming forward. FIATA is a stable organisation, but this does not mean it
must privilege the status quo at all costs. New things are coming up and there are more in
the pipeline. The website’s new functionality and aesthetics has greatly enhanced the user’s
experience and branded FIATA with a new look in the online public domain. I have
received good feedback and I am in hopes of getting more suggestions on how this may
evolve in future, to embrace new services and new features for our Members.
In addition to a new website, there is more news! FIATA has also formally established the
new Advisory Body Information Technology (ABIT). With the digital economy growing
more important and the constant adoption of new technology in the logistics and freight
forwarding industry, this new advisory body will be critical in the years to come. Having
had this ambition for many years I am delighted of the decision taken by the Presidency
and fully committed to bring results to our members. I am already reading how mobile
technology will revolutionise logistics… For example, can we consider a “selfie” with a
damaged pallet over the smartphone, akin to the traditional reserves written on the
consignment note? Will this be the standard in future?
FIATA also transformed the experiment of the International Working Group into a fullyfledged Advisory Body. The Advisory Body International Affairs (ABIA) has been formally
established with the goal of strengthening FIATA’s relations with International
Organisations and Multilateral Institutions such as the United Nations, UN bodies, the
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World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and other key governmental organisations and
NGOs, directly or indirectly connected with international trade and the logistics industry.
This is a structure that FIATA badly needed considering one of its main objectives, as
enshrined in article 2.1 of the Statutes, is to represent the industry at international level.
This is a job fully accomplished – we had more speakers and participants in public forums
in the last twelve months than we have had in a long time. I have personally also
participated in this public presence and I hope I have adequately represented your ideas
and interests. All these activities are reflected and published on our website, so I shall not
waste your time with a long list. You can easily peruse and scrutinise this list at your ease
when visiting our brand new www.fiata.com.
With the ABIA’s preliminary work done, FIATA has already seen an increase in event
participation, and invitations received, which in turn has increased FIATA’s presence
throughout the international community. Even before the formal creation of ABIA, FIATA
had been strong in advocating for “Logistics Connectivity” to be included in the
Sustainable Development Goals for the Post 2015 Development Agenda. This message has
been carried with FIATA delegates as they participate in meetings and events at UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCAP, UNECE and many others. All this was possible through the
allocation of a dedicated human resource, which has made a significant difference in our
daily routine. The feeling is that the necessary support must come from an even stronger
Secretariat and on this point we need to conciliate the requirement for more resources with
our limited budget, not an easy combination, which has been challenging both the
Presidency and the undersigned.
Three new Association Members came in the last 12 months to enrich our growing
community: the Taipei Air Freight Forwarders & Logistics Association of Taiwan (TAFLA),
Taipei Customers Broker’s Associations (TCBA) and the Japan International Freight
Forwarders Associations Inc. (JIFFA), bringing our total to 111 Association Members in 101
countries or territories. At the same time the decline in individual membership has been
stopped and reverted to growth. It is not an explosion, but we are steadily growing again.
This is an extremely positive sign.
Ultimately, I am very much looking forward to the upcoming 2014 FIATA World Congress
in Istanbul. The congress is a great opportunity to meet with the FIATA community of
enterprises and delegates. Catching up on what is happening in our market is not
impossible, even if one only reads, but the experience of sitting in the middle of events such
as those at the FIATA WC is not matched by any other. The week of the congress is the
most important platform to meet and discuss the dealings of our industry, both from a
commercial and institutional point of view. The preparation is in its last significant steps
and we have run through our checklists so much that we know them by heart. I am sure
some small snags here or there will be inevitable, but we have really done all that we could
to achieve a smooth and interesting World Congress. Besides working with institutes and
standing committees to ensure that the key issues are tackled, which is FIATA’s main task, I
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expect this year’s congress to be a game changer, as the organising committee in Turkey has
taken all necessary steps to avail all attending delegates with plenty of opportunities to
interact and network, also on a one-to-one basis.
In closing, I wish to thank the FIATA Secretariat for all their collaboration this past year. I
wish to also welcome all new members who have joined FIATA, and I hope to get the
chance to meet you at our upcoming congress. There is much we can accomplish together
and I am optimistic that the year to come will be full of many challenges as well as
opportunities to advance our industry. The Assembly will also be required to take a major
decision in regards of the future of FIATA. I have no doubt that the careful preparation
afforded by the Presidency will allow all delegates to take the decision which will be for
them the wisest.
Thank you for your interest and continuous participation in FIATA and I look forward to
collaborating with you.
Marco Leonardo Sorgetti
Director-General, FIATA
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AIRFREIGHT INSTITUTE (AFI)
Dear FIATA Members,
During the past year the Air Freight Institute has been involved in several issues and taken
part in various forums, as part of our advocacy to support and bring benefit to air freight
forwarders globally. Air cargo is a collaborative industry, as all stakeholders in the supply
chain are relying on each other, to insure the demands of global traders are met. AFI’s
efforts mirror the collaboration of the market place as we work together with IATA, ICAO,
GACAG and others to improve the quality, reliability and consistency of air cargo.
We have prepared this brief overview in order to provide FIATA members with a summary
of the more significant issues, at the time of writing in early July 2014. As our work is ongoing we welcome all members to attend our upcoming session in Istanbul, to receive
further updates on the work of AFI and in particular the following:
IATA – Cargo Modernisation Programme
This has been a major issue for AFI for the past two years with a mandate from industry to
bring about change to an airline–agent programme in existence for over half a century;
however, this is no easy task. Our working group, which encompasses AFI members from
around the globe, has at times suffered from ‘white knuckles’ as talks between forwarders,
airlines, FIATA and IATA, gyrated like a roller coaster: up, down, back and forth, requiring
all involved to maintain a strong grip on the issues.
Since April 2012, the Cargo Agency Modernisation Programme Working Group
(CAMPWG), which as previously mentioned is composed of forwarders, airlines, FIATA
and IATA, has had seventeen meetings and developed a framework to launch a forwarderairline relationship programme being the IATA FIATA Air Cargo Programme (IFACP)
designed to replace a fifty year old IATA Cargo Agency Programme (ACAP). The ACAP is
an out-dated programme that is dysfunctional and does not represent the reality of today’s
forwarder-airline relationship and has been questioned by global competition authorities,
no longer willing to grant it immunity.
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CAMP Agreed Core Objectives:
"The objective of the Cargo Agency Modernisation Programme is to re-engineer the Cargo
Agency Programme to ensure it meets the needs of today's air cargo community, ensuring
mutual benefits for airlines and forwarders alike."
Source IATA website
“We all recognise that we need a modernised relationship that helps build trust and treats
the Forwarder-Airline relationship as a partnership of equals.“
Tony Tyler - IATA Director General, FIATA World Congress, October 2013
AFI members will recall at our Spring Headquarters’ meeting, the detailed discussions
regarding the major CAMP issues resolved (e.g. a global programme for both CASS and
non-CASS countries) and those still to be resolved (e.g. a single forwarder’s programme
based on a principal to principal relationship).
At the sixteenth CAMP Working Group meeting held in Geneva mid-May 2014, it became
apparent to AFI that IATA was moving away from the agreed objective of partnership and
shared programme management.
FIATA drew up a list of issues which needed to be resolved, if the negotiations were to
transfer from the conceptual phase, to preparation for implementation. AFI prepared a list
of outstanding principles which required resolution prior to the CAMP discussions
transitioning from the conceptual phase, to the implementation phase. These were issues
which AFI had identified, as meeting the CAMP objectives to “ensuring mutual benefits for
airlines and forwarders” and “building trust while treating the Forwarder-Airline
relationship as a partnership of equals,” and AFI sought the airlines to similarly embrace.
Included in those issues:
•
•
•
•
•
Single Forwarders Programme
Forwarder Financial Criteria - Financial Assessment
Jointly Administered Programme
Agreed Budget of Programme Revenues and Expenses
Programme focus – Safety, Security, Facilitation
At the end of June, CAMP/17 met and the parties agreed upon and adopted the Single
Forwarder Programme – Principal to Principal Relationship. In addition, the parties further
agreed to a path forward to resolve the other outstanding issues.
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CAMP Summary
From inception CAMP has received strong support from IATA’s Cargo Committee and the
IATA Board, and from FIATA’s Airfreight Institute and the FIATA Presidency. In addition,
the CAMPWG delegates have, throughout the two years of talks, displayed a strong
commitment to craft and implement a new global programme aligned to the stated
objectives of partnership, mutual benefit and reflective of today’s forwarder–airline
relationship.
Change is never easy; the IFACP will be the first mutually developed global forwarder–
airline programme, since the dawn of the air cargo industry. The current IATA Cargo
Agency Programme has been in place for some 50 years, and has evolved in the past few
decades only due to pressures from competition authorities – the United States in the 1980s,
the European Union in the 1990s, followed by Australia, Canada and India in 2000s. If the
current programme is not modernised, if the IFACP is not instituted as a jointly operated
and managed partnership, the fear is raised that in future the current programme may not
be deemed compliant by competition authorities, and brings concerns as to how that
impacts those participating in the programme.
Conclusion
AFI strongly believes that the multi-level airline-forwarder dedication to the CAMP will
find a mutually agreeable resolution. The seventeenth CAMP meeting showed remarkable
movement by the airlines, which supports cautious optimism that the CAMP will find
mutually agreeable solutions for outstanding items under discussion, allowing a timeline
for a 2015 implementation to be realised.
AFI will invest its greatest efforts and hopes that we, together with the airlines and IATA,
may bring to the FIATA World Congress this new agreement. But, if this does not happen,
we should then remind ourselves, that it was better to have tried and failed than not to
have tried at all.
ICAO Participation
Throughout the past year, FIATA and AFI have further strengthened their relationship
with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). FIATA has participated and
presented at two ICAO hosted events this past year:
• ICAO-WCO Joint Conference on Enhancing Air Cargo Security and Facilitation in
Manama, Bahrain
• 2nd ICAO Air Transport Symposium in Montreal, Canada
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With the success of our participation at these previous ICAO events, FIATA happily
accepted two more invitations to participate and present at upcoming ICAO events:
• ICAO Meeting on Air Cargo Development in Africa in Lomé, Togo
• Air Cargo Development Forum in Zhengzhou, China
ICAO Training
This past year was significant for the ICAO FIATA Dangerous Goods by Air Training
Programme. The programme experienced growth during the past 12 months with the
addition of five new training schools in Chile, China, Jordan, Pakistan and Luxembourg.
The ICAO FIATA Training Programme is also anticipating the release of the 2015-2016
ICAO Technical Instructions Manual, which will strengthen the content of the programme
and ensure that trained personnel will be fully knowledgeable in the context of handling
and working with dangerous goods consignments.
In addition, FIATA is working on the release of a FIATA General Air Cargo Training
Course to complement its Dangerous Goods offering. FIATA has been very pleased with its
relationship with ICAO and we continue to seek more collaboration opportunities in order
to enhance ties and improve the global standards of cargo aviation.
GACAG Activities
The founding members of GACAG: FIATA, GSF (Global Shippers Forum), IATA, and
TIACA (The International Air Cargo Association) have met four times in the past year to
seek commonality amongst industry on issues of Security, Facilitation, eCommerce and
Sustainability. For the past three years TIACA has acted as the administrative body for this
group, and effective this fall those responsibilities will move to IATA, and are intended to
rotate between the members on a two year cycle.
FIATA continues to chair the eCommerce task force, and the GACAG Steering Group
recently agreed on a common blueprint for the future of air cargo, seeking improved
performance in Speed, Transparency, Paperless Operation, Safety and Security, Innovation
and Flexibility, etc.
Rodolfo JC Sagel
Chairperson, Airfreight Institute
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CUSTOMS AFFAIRS INSTITUTE (CAI)
The year in review has provided significant challenges for border agencies and service
providers in international trade logistics and supply chain management. The World Trade
Organisation Agreement on Trade Facilitation (ATF) arising from the Ministerial
Conference in Bali in December 2013 has an ambitious implementation date for the ATF in
2015. This combined with the United States Presidential Executive Order on Streamlining the
Export/Import Process for America's business which mandates an International Trade Data
System (single window) by 31 December 2016 will have a flow on effect to other economies.
As to these key initiatives the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Association
(FIATA) through the Customs Affairs Institute (CAI) has been actively involved with the
World Customs Organisation (WCO) (as the international governmental organisation
representing Customs administration) in leading the implementation of such changes into
border clearance arrangements. Customs administrations are, in general, the first
regulatory contacts encountered during trade flow, and the FIATA relationship with the
WCO (and its relationship with the WTO) is seen as fundamental to the development of
collaborative work with other international organisations (to avoid duplication of effort on
appropriate policy and process).
While it is noted that the ATF is written in such form so as to provide flexibility in
interpretation and implementation by economies an analysis of
the measures in the ATF indicates that the WCO’s instruments
and tools will see its respective customs administration members
well placed to deliver on the ATF initiatives. However what is
clear to FIATA is that there is now an overachieving
international agreement which supports the facilitation and
movement of international trade. As such, FIATA members
should clearly recognise that a close and effective working
relationship with the government department responsible for
“...Trade facilitation is
not the policy mandate
of customs
administration and/or
other border agencies.
Implementation of
trade facilitation is
government policy....”
international trade in their respective economies is now, not only
desirable, but mandatory. Trade facilitation is not the policy mandate of customs
administration and/or other border agencies. Implementation of trade facilitation is
government policy and this aspect was referenced in my report to members in 2013:
“There is a clear picture now emerging as to the attention of governments as to increased efficiency
and supply chains…”
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The work therefore of FIATA with the WCO and WTO is now crucial during the
implementation phase of the ATF and the underpinning WCO Safe Framework of
Standards and the Revised Kyoto Convention will be critical in these arrangements. As
such, members should acquaint themselves with the key deliverables from these WCO
documents and address these in their national border facilitation arrangements. Supply
chain efficiency and security is now integrated into trade negotiation and economies which
do not, or are not developing such arrangements place their service providers to
international trade, their traders and their economy at a distinct disadvantage.
In another key initiative with the WCO, (members will be aware that FIATA has, since
2008, been a member of the WCO Private Sector Consulting Group which provides
commentary to the WCO Policy Commission) FIATA had expressed its concern regarding
PSCG governance principles and it was pleasing to note that the WCO Secretary General
has introduced significant reforms to PSCG arrangements with such changes being fully
endorsed by FIATA.
On key border security and trade facilitation issues FIATA representatives participated in
the following events:
• 2014 WCO IT Conference & Exhibition "Information Technology as a Catalyst for
Economic Competiveness" Brisbane, Australia, 5-7 May
• WCO 2nd Global AEO Conference Madrid, Spain, 28-30 April 2014
• WCO and the International Civil Aviation Organisation
Joint Conference on Air Cargo Security and Facilitation
Bahrain, 16-17 April 2014.
Such events recognise FIATA for its technical and business
acumen.
Working towards 2015/2016 the new trade initiatives will be a
challenge for industry, service providers to international trade,
and regulators alike, however on these aspects failure is not an
“....new trade
initiatives will be a
challenge for industry,
service providers to
international trade and
regulators alike
however on these
aspects failure is not an
option!....”
option!
In closing my role as CAI Chair is actively supported by FIATA Manager Mr Daniel Bloch
and the Director-General Marco Sorgetti provides guidance on FIATA policy matters. My
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thanks to them both, as well as other FIATA members who support CAI.
For the future it would be timely for FIATA members to consider as to how any of their
association representatives may assist in CAI leadership support as those who currently
lead have a sell by date.
Stephen J Morris
Chairperson, Customs Affairs Institute
MULTIMODAL TRANSPORT INSTITUTE (MTI)
This is my first report as Chairman of the Multimodal Transport Institute so I am pleased to
begin with a tribute to my predecessor Christopher Gillespie of Canada. Not only do I have
to follow a long standing and highly successful Chairman of the MTI but a Past-President
as well. I look forward to trying to emulate some of Chris’s successes during my tenure.
The small recovery that was forecast in 2012 seems to have come to fruition late in 2013 and
global economies appear to have at last put the events of the last decade behind them.
Whilst there is still a feeling of fragility in the market there is limited optimism of a
sustained recovery. According to an HSBC analyst, container shipping rates will remain
volatile in the months ahead, with lines benefiting from better capacity management on
Asia-Europe trades than on Transpacific and intra-Asia lanes, which will continue to suffer
from the cascading of vessels. The peak season would be “mixed” and characterised by “a
divergence by route due to demand-supply dynamics”. Despite recent weekly losses, this
will see Asia-Europe freight rates remain at relatively high levels while transpacific spot
rates (which have slumped even though Transpacific Stabilisation Agreement lines tried to
enforce a general rate increase of $300 per 40-foot container on 15 May) are forecast to
struggle.
The Multimodal Transport Institute meets at the FIATA Headquarters session in March
and at the annual FIATA World Congress, however the backbone of MTI is the working
groups led by three experienced Chairmen. The format of the meetings and issues dealt
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with by Working Group (WG) Rail under the chairmanship of Dr Ivan Petrov show a great
variety of activities and their scope.
The traditional UIC (International Union of Railways)/FIATA Joint WG meetings have
remained at one per year and have tackled issues of cooperation between those
organisations, as well as information exchange about their activities. Such a meeting was
held last September within the premises of UIC in Paris.
During the FIATA World Congress held in Singapore a key note speaker at MTI was Mr
Zhao from China with an informative presentation about current developments of the
railways in China and the land bridge to Europe, while at the HQ Session held in Zurich
Mr Magold from Sustainable Transport Section of UNECE (United Nationals Economic
Commission for Europe) presented the new concepts and solutions for intermodal
transport.
A joint meeting was held in cooperation with CLECAT Rail Institute in Antwerp in
November 2013 dedicated to European Union matters. The meeting was well attended by
FIATA advisors, including the President of FIATA, Mr. Parisi, and myself as MTI
Chairman. We were honoured by the European Commission recognition from Dr Troche, a
policy maker in DG MOVE (The Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport), who
shared the views of the Commission in Freight Rail Corridors legislation, as well as in
single wagon traffic. The second issue was also tackled by the CEO of X-Rail, Mr Rabet.
A considerable success was the Market Place Seminar held in Trieste, Italy in April 2014
under the strapline: “Strategic Interchange between Sea and Rail Freight. What’s New?”
More than 170 participants from more than 20 countries took part at the conference being
recognised and supported by the local authorities, as well as the host organisers from
FEDISPEDI. Many international organisations also took part, such as UIRR (International
Union of combined Road-Rail transport companies), CLECAT, European Commission, etc.,
but the most important is that the executive managers and key experts from the companies
on the market were present. Golden Chariot awards for recognition of high standards in
transportation and logistics were granted to companies and logistics people as per the
proposal of FIATA. Through the support of authorities in Trieste, and the sponsorship of
the Golden Chariot Committee, the Market Place Seminar managed to easily cover its costs.
Working Group Road under the Chairmanship of Kostas Sandalcidis has also been active
although many of the items dealt with have been addressed in the past but continue
needing attention. A regular agenda item for WG Road is safe and secure parking places as
there is a difference between East and West for truckers and forwarders. WG Road
continues to act with stakeholders to address improvements and expansion of these
facilities.
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Another issue that remains on the agenda from the last MTI report is the war in Syria and
its impact on the movement of goods previously transiting this country to Saudi Arabia
and other Gulf countries. Alternatives have continued to be focused upon.
In cooperation with IRU (The International Road Transport Union) the development of
further expansion of the TIR carnet system has remained a significant topic of discussion.
The actions at the Russian border and the recent declaration of Russia that they intend to
resign from the TIR Carnet system led to many meetings and the preparation of a FIATA
position paper (together with CLECAT) in respect of the Russian TIR problems. The IRU
invited FIATA to speak at the 10th Symposium of Lawyers, which was an informative and
well organised event.
Another WG Road topic is the problem of international truck driver visas which has been
on our agenda for some time. There remain various obstacles for Turkish trucks in
transiting both Bulgaria and Romania and another aspect is third country loading
permissions between these countries.
Finally we continue to update on security matters and update members on weight and
dimension matters for commercial vehicles.
We have a new Chairman for Working Group Sea with long standing WG member, Jens
Roemer taking over. WG Sea met in February in New Delhi and two further meetings are
planned for 2014 in Zurich and in conjunction with the FIATA World Congress. The
February meeting had a different format as our hosts FFFAI (Federation of Freight
Forwarders Associations of India) organised a seminar session with notable speakers on a
host of issues relevant to the Region. Furthermore, there was an excellent evening session
with many governmental and senior civil servants in attendance.
The WG has as usual been active with a number of bodies such as the International
Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and UNECE (United Nationals Economic Commission for
Europe). The work as part of the group of experts dealing with the revision of the
UNECE/IMO (International Maritime Organisation)/ILO (International Labour
Organisation) Guidelines for Packing of Cargo Transport Units is now complete and the
final revision has been agreed. With the ICC there is work in assisting with drafting of a
new Q and A for frequent questions regarding Incoterms 2010.
A major issue during the past year has been the changes in Chinese legislation regarding
Value Added Tax and the filing of rates by NVOCC with the Shanghai Shipping Exchange.
This topic showed the strength of the WG Sea with a collaborative effort by the members to
establish accurate information and pass this on to FIATA members.
The subject of Container Weighing has now moved on with the agreement of the
International Maritime Organisation to amend SOLAS (The Safety of Life at Sea
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Convention) however there is still no agreed formula for the alternative method to
weighing the whole container. Individual national authorities have to now establish an
agreed method of verification for NVOCC Containers before 2016.
We are as usual grateful to our USA colleagues The Transport Intermediaries Association
(TIA) for their continued representational work with the Federal Maritime Commission.
Security declarations and advanced manifest submission systems continue to proliferate
and remain mainly successful implementations. As we write, there is news from the USA
that the plans to insist on 100% scanning or screening of containers by mid-2014 has been
deferred for another two years
As always, we continue to monitor the progress of the Rotterdam Rules. We understand
that the preliminary legislative examination in the USA has been completed but that there
is insufficient time to take this further at present. It is anticipated that if the USA does ratify
the Convention then this will give it renewed impetus.
The MTI is YOUR institute and as FIATA members we welcome your comments and
suggestions on issues that are of concern to you. The enclosed topics are only a small part
of the range of issues that the working groups get embroiled with and we have a wealth of
experience with the individual advisors. If you feel you can add to the expertise in the
working groups please contact the FIATA Secretariat.
I would like to thank the Chairmen and members of the working groups and all those who
have been so helpful in the past and in particular during this past year: Mr Kostas
Saldalcidis, Chairman of Working Group Rail; Dr Ivan Petrov, Chairman of Working
Group Rail; Mr Jens Roemer, Chairman of Working Group Sea; and last but not least, the
Secretariat without whose support, none of us could perform the tasks we are presented
with each year.
Robert Keen
Chairperson, Multimodal Transport Institute
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ADVISORY BODY INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS (ABIA)
FIATA is happy to announce its new Advisory Body International Affairs (ABIA). This
advisory body will work towards enhancing FIATA’s presence throughout the
international mercantile community concerning logistics and connectivity. Its aim is to
establish and strengthen FIATA’s relationship with International Organisations like the
United Nations and its Bodies, UNCTAD, WTO, etc. plus with Development Institutions
such as the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, African Development Banks, etc. and
when necessary, with civil society groups and other NGOs.
ABIA works horizontally with other FIATA Advisory Bodies and Institutes to assist in their
work with specific international organisations, related to their fields. ABIA members
interact closely with policy makers and representatives from member states to ensure that
logistics policy is at the forefront of their agenda.
For the last few months ABIA’s work was being done under a working group, this was its
formative stage. It started by working to advocate with the UN’s Open Working Group on
Sustainable Development, to ensure that logistics connectivity gets included in the design
of Sustainable Development Goals.
Recently, ABIA developed and published a joint press release with UNCTAD, emphasising
the need for improved logistics connectivity to ensure sustainable future development.
FIATA’s exposure with the WTO has also been increased and it has been placed on the
WTO’s NGO list.
Our first year also saw the publication of further articles, press releases and position papers
produced by ABIA including three position papers highlighting the importance of logistics
as an important economic driver for growth, especially in developing countries. As a result,
FIATA has witnessed an increase in media coverage through republished press releases
and news reports on presentations that were delivered at key events or through published
position papers.
ABIA has also worked to enhance FIATA’s relationship with Development Institutions like
the World Bank where it is putting together a Memorandum of Understanding for
enhanced cooperation with the Bank and will identify projects where there can be joint
collaboration.
It may also target discussions with the World Bank and United Nations in order to secure
capacity building funds and resources for our national associations in developing countries.
We will aim to enhance FIATA’s presence in Asia and Africa, developing strong relations
with the development institutions there, institutions like the Asian Development Bank and
African Development Bank where some initial contacts have already been established.
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In ABIA’s first year, it will aim to increase its output and further build on the work already
done in recent months. We will also continue to advocate for logistics connectivity to be
included in the design of the Sustainable Development Goals in the UN’s Post-2015
Development Agenda. Along the way, we may be examining partnership opportunities
with civil society groups and NGOs pursuing similar interests and also increase our
visibility within the WTO.
In recent years, it became clear that FIATA needed to consider changing the reach as well
the depth of the organisation. We needed to connect better, be more visible and active with
the objective of being a global focal point for logistics. We will need to build capacity in
order for our national/regional associations to be provided a platform to pronounce their
views, for instance regarding where in their regions they will require infrastructure
investment. Our industry has to be a part of the growth vision on a global level as also
referenced in recent WTO meetings.
These reasons stemmed the initial thoughts at the Presidency and eventually brought ABIA
to life, to work in order to ensure that we are on the forefront of global trade and transport
issues and that logistics is put at the centre of international economic discussions. We very
much appreciate the support from FIATA’s membership towards the newly established
ABIA and thank all who have assisted in its work.
We look forward to a successful and active first year.
Babar Badat
Chairperson, Advisory Body International Affairs (ABIA)
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ADVISORY BODY LEGAL MATTERS (ABLM)
Outreach to International Development Agencies: World Bank and United Nations
Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
The ABLM hosted a mini-forum at the 2013 FIATA World Congress in Singapore on
“Logistics Infrastructure Development in Asia: FIATA’s Role.” Mr Amer Zafar Durrani
from the World Bank emphasised the critical role that logistics infrastructure plays both in
the domestic economies of developing countries and in their ability to conduct valuable
merchandise trade with other countries. He urged FIATA to forge a closer working
relationship with the World Bank. Dr Mohammad Saeed, a technical adviser to UNCTAD
on transport facilitation with technology and logistics, emphasised FIATA’s role in
assisting governments and international organisations such as the United Nnations in
establishing clear legal rules and industry performance standards to facilitate trade, while
at the same time maintaining secure supply chains. Both speakers urged FIATA to become
more active in representing the needs and views of the industry with the international
lending and development agencies.
Regulation of the Freight Forwarding Industry in China
Under the leadership of Dr Yang Yuntao (Deputy Chair of the ABLM and Chair of the
Legal Committee of the Chinese Freight Forwarders Association) ABLM continued to
respond to requests for current information on China’s new value added tax and its effect
on the international freight forwarding industry. Dr Yang made presentations at the ABLM
meetings and attempted to respond to questions raised by individual member associations
and companies about application of the VAT to operations in China. CIFA and Sinotrans
also successfully advocated for the industry with the Chinese government to clarify the
exemption to the VAT for international freight forwarding companies.
Insurance Committee
Representatives from the insurance industry (TT Club and Avalon Risk Management)
made regular presentations to the ABLM on a wide range of current risk management
issues. They addressed losses caused by overweight containers; Iran sanctions compliance;
new Brazilian customs procedures; increasing incidents of cargo theft, fraud and
abandonment; enhanced US importer data filing requirements with US Customs; a rise in
cybercrime related to transportation; and the impact of unprecedented losses from severe
winter storms. The Committee assisted in responding to a request from the Greek
association for FIATA’s help in appealing a decision holding a forwarder personally liable
for misdeclaration of the cargo contents of a container. It also analysed the potential effect
of two decisions from the US Federal Maritime Commission holding forwarders liable for
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damages under the US Shipping Act for releasing cargo without receipt of an endorsed
house bill of lading. The appeal of one of the decisions to the courts has led ABLM to
postpone submitting its own white paper to the FMC on this subject until the court of
appeals decides the case.
Regional Reports
A detailed report on the comprehensive changes to the German Maritime Code was
presented by Mr Kurt-Juergen Schimmelpfeng, a delegate from Germany, and has been
made available on the FIATA website.
Air Freight
The newly formed Ad hoc Working Group on Air Freight issues began regular reports on
new developments in the law governing air freight shipments. The working group chair
and the ABLM chair have also provided informal advice to the Air Freight Institute in its
ongoing negotiations with IATA to create a new form of carrier-forwarder agreement.
Electronic Bills of Lading
I was fortunate to be able to represent our industry at ongoing UNCITRAL Working Group
meetings in New York on the drafting of a model law for the conversion of paper to
electronic documents. The rules being developed by UNCITRAL are meant to encourage
the use of electronic shipping documents in letter of credit and other financing transactions.
UNCITRAL has a keen interest in the outcome of FIATA’s pilot project testing the use of an
electronic form of FIATA’s multimodal transport bill of lading.
I would like to close by thanking the ABLM members for all their active and hard work
throughout the year. We have accomplished much and I look forward to another successful
year as the ABLM continues to engage in new areas.
Richard Gluck
Chairperson, Advisory Body Legal Matters (ABLM)
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ADVISORY BODY SAFETY AND SECURITY (ABSS)
In 2013/2014, ABSM as it was I believe “came of age”. During the past 12 months there has
been much going on and coming to fruition within the aviation industry in respect to
Security. This has created several challenges for us. During the first half of 2014, the rules in
respect to the carriage of dangerous goods by air resulted in FIATA taking a very proactive
view by re-establishing what was the Advisory Body Dangerous Goods (ABDG) into a
working group within ABSM. This addition brought with it new responsibilities and a
changed name. And so the, Advisory Body Safety and Security (ABSS) was born.
This newly added responsibility of Safety resulted in the creation of a further working
group to that of dangerous goods, one responsible for traceability which would focus on
proactive activities in the field of food safety and other traceability requirements.
Going back to the beginning of this most interesting period in the life of ABSS (ABSM), we
had the great pleasure of having Ms Jolene Jerrard, Associate Research Fellow and Manager
at the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research (ICPVTR), in
Singapore, give a presentation at the Annual Congress. Ms Jerrard gave an absolutely
riveting presentation (not holding back on very graphic photos) talking in great details with
clear facts about the state of terrorism currently alive in Asia. Those attending came away, I
believe, with a completely new understanding of global terrorism and awareness of how it
has become part of everyday life for many of us.
During the latter part of the year, there was an increased focus toward the European
rulings on aviation security in the form of the ACC3 and RA3 requirements. While these
two requirements, interdependent to a great extent, brought the airline and forwarding
industry together in a way not seen before. The requirements which affected all carriers and
forwarders outside of the EU, shipping or carrying cargo by air into the EU, required all
carriers flying from many countries to be independently validated (ACC3), and those
forwarders wishing to pass cargo direct to carriers without further screening/cargo pallet
breakdown, to also be validated (RA3).
As a result of the inter-dependability of the requirements, there was some quite extensive
confusion. To add to this a number of countries objected to what was an extra-territorial
control of cargo security requirements resulting in even greater confusion as to who had the
ultimate responsibility to ensure compliance and validation of forwarders. ABSM took the
initiative and issued a number of guidance papers as well as press releases.
Another issue that came about at the same time was the results of the US ACAS Air Cargo
Advance Screening trials, along with the introduction of PRECISE, the EU study of
PREloading Consignment Information for Secure Entry; and the similar Canadian FACT
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study on the same subject. For the past few years, the US Customs Border Protection (CBP)
and Transport Security Administration (TSA) had linked up to review pre-shipment data
with a view to determine any risk to cargo proposed for uplift. During this period not a
single “Do Not Load” (DNL) had been issued, although it must be remembered that in
reaching this outcome the current low security risk level had a significant bearing.
With the background of the results of the ACAS study, and more importantly the apparent
slowness in which carriers were seeking ACC3 validation, the ABSM meeting at the 2014
FIATA Headquarters Session brought with it a sense of energy and excitement. At the
beginning of the meeting, the Chairman announced the meeting would be conducted as a
working session explaining that the questions and comments taken from the floor would be
used to potentially draft a position paper which would result in positive outcomes. This
meeting in Zurich briefed the delegates on the upcoming reforms in food security to hit the
United States and Europe. The biggest issue was that the US reforms in food security did
not match up with those reforms to be implemented in Europe. The ABSS decided to dig
deeper into the reforms and have pursued further research into the topic.
This was followed by a panel discussion with representatives from the Forwarding
industry, a Forwarding Assn and an ACC3 validator, specifically on the subject of ACC3
validation. During the session it became clear there was a concern that airlines would not
achieve their ACC3 validation prior to the European Commission’s deadline of July 1st
2014. Failure for airlines to achieve ACC3 validation would result in severe disruptions in
operations for many freight forwarders. Following the meeting, FIATA’s ABSS formally
wrote to IATA expressing these concerns.
Following the HQ meeting, the ABSS’s newly formed Working Group of Dangerous Goods
was put right to work reviewing the upcoming changes in Dangerous Goods Regulation in
China for the acceptance of general cargo and mail and the carriage of lithium metal
batteries.
I wish to highlight the ABSS session at the upcoming 2014 FIATA World Congress in
Istanbul, Turkey. This next ABSS session will take place 3 months after the implementation
of ACC3/RA3 and there will no doubt be much to both discuss and review.
Concluding this report, I would thank both the members of ABSS who have willingly and
individually taken responsibility for various industry issues and the Secretariat who have
worked tirelessly to support ABSS and all the various initiatives being taken on board.
ABSS is very optimistic of our new structure and method of conducting meeting sessions
and we fully expect the coming years to bring much excitement and interesting topics to the
floor as we continue to strive to enhance the safety and security of our industry.
David Fielder
Chairperson, Advisory Body Safety Security (ABSS)
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ADVISORY BODY OF VOCATIONAL TRAINING (ABVT)
Vocational Education and Training (VET) - The Advisory Body Vocational Training
(ABVT) enables young people to enter the freight forwarding and logistics labour market
and ensures there are enough qualified professionals of all ages. The Validation/ReValidation process ideated by FIATA is closely correlated with the labour market and is an
integral part of the training and education system developed by more than 50% of all
FIATA Association Members globally. For FIATA Association Members, high-level skills
and competencies are considered a key means of supporting economic growth and industry
success.
The FIATA Minimum Standards to acquire the FIATA Diploma in Freight Forwarding
(FMST) and the FIATA Higher Diploma in Supply Chain Management (FHDSCM) ensure a
solid foundation that prepares learners for a wide palette of positions including highly
technical and managerial qualifications. These standards have been designed to help
Association Members make their training programmes more responsive to industry
standards, needs and best practices. They enhance comparability, transparency and
mobility between industry participants.
The ABVT is also involved in research, studies, pilot schemes related to new learning
technologies and providing advice to Association Members based on best practices. The
ABVT aims at expanding the evidence base, identifying policy options and developing
tools to appraise training initiatives.
FIATA Validation of Training Materials – The Validation Committee of the ABVT met in
Zurich in March 2014, within the framework of the FIATA Headquarter Session, to
successfully validate and revalidate Training Programmes from various Association
Members around the world. Those successful in their validation or revalidation include
Chinese Taipei (TAFLA), Netherlands (FENEX), Mexico (AMACARGA), China (CIFA),
India (FFFAI), Russian Federation (FAR), and Chile (ALOG). After these validations and
revalidations, the ABVT is proud to announce that there are now 69 validated programmes
offered in 57 countries.
Amongst these, 13 offer the FHDSCM, a programme that includes the following subjects:
Supply Chain Management, International Transport Management, Global Purchasing,
Global Marketing Management, Financial Management, Contract Management, Production
and Operations Management, and includes a Project Assignment. In today’s world, the
importance of this diploma is enhanced within the context of the FIATA World Congress
2014 in Istanbul’s main topic Sustainable Growth in Logistics because a more complete
understanding of the supply chain, and the freight forwarding and logistics industry can
begin to determine how to commit resources to improve sustainability limiting risks to
society, business, and economic developments.
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Awarding of FIATA Diplomas – 2013/2014 has been another fulfilling year for ABVT.
From the 1st January 1996 to 30th May 2014 a total of 9150 FIATA Diplomas were issued.
Heading countries in terms of issued diplomas include: France (1192 diplomas), Singapore
(667 diplomas), Poland (589), Islamic Republic of Iran (528), and Ukraine (515), among
others. The innovative electronic FIATA Diploma has proved to be a positive solution in
current times.
The ABVT is also pleased to announce that 21 FIATA Trainer Certificates were issued in
2013 and 20 in 2014 (status May 2014). Countries that received a Train-the-Trainer Course
(TOT) include Ghana, South Africa, Kazakhstan, Syria, and Chinese Taipei. As a key
element of TOT courses, capacity building is a driver of optimal and adequate learning
structures. In particular, TOT courses support the development of leadership, career
structure, critical mass, infrastructure, information access and interfaces between
instructors and learners. The success of efforts to build capacity in developing countries can
be measured by the amount of successfully validated programmes of countries that have
received a TOT. Excellent examples of this success include Ghana (GIFF). The TOT took
place in 2005, 10 FIATA Trainer diplomas have been issued and GIFF backs up a successful
programme that has been revalidated three times, with regular updates. A total of 377
FIATA Diplomas have been issued for Ghana. Additionally, they recently (March 2014)
validated the FIATA Higher Diploma in Supply Chain Management. And they are
developing a moodle-based e-learning platform. Other good examples are the Pakistani
(PIFFA) and Mexican (AMACARGA) cases. Seventy-five FIATA Diplomas have been
issued for PIFFA. They will validate the FHDSCM in October 2014. Plus they are actively
looking into e-learning solutions due to the vastness of the country. Similarly, Mexico runs
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a very successful programme with active and constant best practice sharing in the region.
An e-learning system has been set in place and courses are available.
ABVT is proud of being an active participant of worldwide capacity building in developing
countries securing dynamic and agile knowledge systems in the freight forwarding and
logistics industry.
ABVT Forum – The 6th ABVT Forum in Singapore, whose purpose is instigating best
practices sharing and discussions on training initiatives worldwide, featured a keynote
speaker: Dr Hermione Parsons, Director and Associate Professor at Victoria University. Dr
Parsons delivered her insights and experience of training from a world perspective.
This year’s 7th ABVT Forum in Istanbul will have three sections, namely – Core Activities of
ABVT, New Technologies in Training, and Cooperation with other Organisations in the
field of training. A panel discussion with experts may once again be scheduled after each of
the 3 segments.
FIATA/TT Club Young International Freight Forwarder of the Year Award (YIFFY)
Award Competition 2013 - During the World Congress in Singapore in October 2013, the
President of FIATA (Mr Stanley Lim) and the Chairman of the Steering Group of the
Award, Mr Andrew Kemp, TT Club, were happy to welcome and award the four regional
winners.
The 2013 Regional Winners were:
•
•
•
•
Africa/Middle East: Mr Mohamed Samy, Egypt
Americas: Mr Kaloyan Petrov, Canada
Asia-Pacific: Mr Prabhjot Singh, India
Europe: Miss Janna Marie van Burgeler, Germany
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The YIFFY Steering Group is constantly looking for new ways to substantiate this award. In
2013, the Steering Group decided to make the topic less specific allowing more candidates
the ability to write a dissertation based on their own unique experiences and preferences.
Additionally, the age limit was raised from 30 to 32 to provide competition opportunities to
a larger pool of young practitioners in our industry. In fact, in 2014 a new record was
broken in terms of the amount of dissertations received. Four regional finalists will be
selected this year, who will attend the FIATA World Congress 2014 in Istanbul. The overall
winner of this prestigious award’s prize includes a week’s training at one of TT Club's
regional centres in London, Hong Kong or New Jersey, as well as attendance on the
Thomas Miller "Insight into Transport Law and Insurance" course in London, in which TT
Club is closely involved. All four winners will also receive a subscription to one of the
industry’s leading media information sources: International Transport Journal (ITJ/ITZ).
Projects of FIATA ABVT
FIATA Higher Diploma in Supply Chain Management (FHDSCM)
ABVT Validation Committee is ready to validate programmes of the FHDSCM. Applicants
for this qualification should however be in possession of the validated and current FIATA
Diploma Programme before enrolling and applying for the FHDSCM. Association
Members from Belarus, Chinese Taipei, Egypt, Ghana, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Singapore,
South Africa, Vietnam, the Russian Federation and Ukraine have successfully validated
their programmes.
Trainer Certification
Those participants who had successfully completed the TOT Courses can apply (through
their FIATA Association Member) for a Trainer Certificate to be recognised as a trainer
within the respective Associations. In 2013 applications for Trainer Certification have been
distributed between Ghana, South Africa, Kazakhstan, Syria, and Chinese Taipei. The
ABVT expects many more applicants as the year rolls on.
Focused e-learning initiative
Our recently launched e-learning survey has allowed us to discover that we must tailor elearning solutions to specific Association Members. Different members have different
needs, for some have already implemented e-learning programmes and are ready for best
practice sharing, whereas others need support in the implementation of a learning
management system and instructional design. FIATA’s new approach is to uncover those
Association Members with immense demand for e-learning and demonstrated capabilities
to implement such a programme. FIATA will work directly with one Association Member
assisting them in the development of their e-learning programme.
Future Directions of the ABVT - Effective training and vocational education developments
in organisations is critical. The growing importance of sustainable development, the shift to
a low-carbon economy, demographic changes, and diversity management are increasing
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the pace of change in labour markets and skill needs. Skills development is one of the keys
to unlocking job potential. The timely supply of relevant and quality skills is indispensable
for successful transformations that boost productivity. The role of training and trainers is
being redefined and there is a need to encourage diversity of educational approaches.
ABVT will continue to explore new initiatives in training and development and enhanced
training standards. Its primary objective will always be to introduce vocational training
pathways for FIATA Associations and their graduates, as well as to assist Association
Members in developing and promoting training sustainability through its training
standards and best practices.
Capacity building in the area of trainer resources will continue to be one of the primary
focuses of the ABVT. We shall build-up the capability of a competent pool of Trainers with
recognition through periodic pedagogical, andragogical trainings and certifications, as well
as professional upgrading opportunities for trainers in our domain.
We are also defining a new e-learning project. The value of animation in online learning,
enhancing contextual understanding, is embraced by the ABVT’s search for innovation,
creativity and effort.
Thomas SIM
Chairperson, Advisory Body Vocational Training (ABVT)
FIATA FOUNDATION OF VOCATIONAL TRAINING (FFVT)
The Foundation received requests for Train-the-Trainer courses from Chile and Zimbabwe.
The requested documents for a Train-the-Trainer course have been received from
Zimbabwe and the Pre-Qualification Evaluation is foreseen for mid-June 2014 in
Zimbabwe. After a successful Pre-Qualification Evaluation it is planned to hold the Trainthe-Trainer course in Zimbabwe during July or August 2014.
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Chile is still working on the preparation of the documents for a Train-the-Trainer course. It
should be possible to hold the Train-the-Trainer course in Chile by early November 2014.
Further requests for Train-the-Trainer courses were received from Bangladesh and
Cameroon. These requests are currently being examined and further information will
become available at a later stage.
The Foundation takes the opportunity to warmly thank its regular Sponsors and all those
FIATA Individual Members which have voluntarily increased their annual membership fee
by an optional donation of 25 Swiss Francs (CHF) towards the Foundation’s initiatives. A
large number of the members have chosen to donate this way.
During the World Congress in Istanbul, Turkey, the Foundation will again organise its
traditional fundraising raffle. Raffle tickets can be purchased in advance via the registration
form.
Aldo Da Ros
President, FIATA Foundation
CONCLUDING NOTE
FIATA and its members were pleased with the results over the past 12 months. Under the
new leadership of President Francesco Stanislao Parisi and the guidance of Director
General Marco Sorgetti, the year has seen its share of challenges, but FIATA was successful
in overcoming many barriers and met its overall goals that were initially set out. FIATA
managed to increase it public presence and firmly held on to its undisputed reputation, it
afforded more articulate services to Members as well interesting topics for deliberations.
Social activities were expanded and enhanced. This was only possible through the
tremendous support received from the Members of our Advisory Bodies and Institutes,
which continue to outperform year after year:
- Our Airfreight Institute further developed their relationship with IATA, seeking new
solutions with programmes aimed at facilitating the industry’s working capacity
between forwarders and airlines.
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The Customs Affairs Institute took significant steps toward strengthening their
engagement with the World Customs Organisations through increased participation
in public events.
Our Multimodal Transport Institute, with its working groups Sea, Road and Rail,
was very active in working with many international organisations on burning issues
throughout the freight forwarding industry.
Throughout the year, legal matters has grown in importance with the contributions
of the ABLM working with UNCTAD, Chinese regulators and participating in
UNCITRAL meetings to facilitate the development of the electronic bill of lading.
In regards to security matters, inter alia the ABSS was active in voicing concerns to
IATA for airlines to achieve ACC3 validation prior to the set deadline. Dangerous
Goods also saw a comeback being reinstated into FIATA’s mandate as a working
group within the ABSS.
Vocational training has traditionally been an area where FIATA has excelled. The
past year has seen similar growth with more Associations achieving validation
bringing the total to 69 validated programmes throughout 57 countries. Moving
forward, the ABVT will be examining possibilities in e-learning and new initiatives.
To complement the ABVT, the FIATA Foundation continues to experience strong
support from our membership as they shortlist the candidates for the next TOT
Programme.
FIATA is also very excited about its newly formed Advisory Body International
Affairs. This body had already done remarkable work as an ad-how working group;
it will aim to further enhance FIATA’s presence throughout international settings.
Similar hopes exist for the newly Advisory Body Information Technology, led by Ms
Anne Sandretto.
The past year has been critical in establishing key infrastructure within FIATA necessary to
ensure success in the long-term. We expect the next year to be another year of growth for
FIATA as we continue to take on new initiatives and build on our previous successes. We
are looking forward to a decisive new term, during which important decisions will be taken
for the future of FIATA.
Thank you all for taking the time to review our Annual Report. Should you have any
questions or suggestions please do not hesitate to contact the FIATA Secretariat.
FIATA - International Federation of Freight Forwarders Association
Secretariat’s Contact Information:
Postal Address: Schaffhauserstrasse 104, P.O. Box 364, CH-8152 Glattbrugg, Switzerland
Tel +41 (0)43 211 65 00
Fax +41 (0)43 211 65 65
Website www.fiata.com
e-Mail address: [email protected]
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