30295 Annual Report 2013-2014 Final Draft · 2014-11-21 · Keshav Tanna India Chairman AFI Rodolfo J.C. Sagel Argentina Chairman CAI Stephen J. Morris Australia Chairman MTI Robert

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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) 20

Advisory Body Safety and Security (ABSS) 23

Advisory Body Vocational Training (ABVT) 25

FIATA Foundation 29

Concluding Note 30

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 Francesco S. Parisi Italy Immediate Past President Stanley Lim Hwee Hong Singapore Secretary General Heiner Rogge Germany Treasurer Jean-Claude Delen Belgium Senior Vice Presidents Babar Badat Pakistan Huxiang Zhao China Suwit Ratanachinda Thailand

Extended Board Vice Presidents Krishnan Chelliah Malaysia Turgut Erkeskin Turkey Paul Golland Australia Robert Kingsford Kutin Ghana Ivan Liptuga Ukraine Stephen Parker United Kingdom David Phillips United Arab Emirates Jens Roemer Belgium Antonella Straulino Italy Peter Yang Chinese Taipei Sergey Zhelannov Russian Federation Keshav Tanna India Chairman AFI Rodolfo J.C. Sagel Argentina Chairman CAI Stephen J. Morris Australia Chairman MTI Robert Keen United Kingdom Chairman ABLM Richard D. Gluck United States Chairman ABVT Thomas Sim Singapore Chairman ABSS David Fielder Denmark Chairman ABIA Babar Badat Pakistan Chairman RAME Basil Pietersen South Africa Chairman RAMNS Rodolfo J. C. Sagel Argentina Chairman RAP Chris Kanter Indonesia Chairman REU Ivan Petrov Bulgaria

Secretariat

Director-General Marco L. Sorgetti Manager AFI, CAI, RAP Daniel Bloch Manager ABLM, ABSM, RAME Peter Maegerle Manager ABVT, RAMNS Verena Schaer Manager MTI, REU René Zimmermann Manager ABIA, ABIT Bassil Eid Administration Fauzia Nikzad Administration Barbara Wieser Intern 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 fully-

fledged 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 on-

going 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 forwarder-

airline 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

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…”

“...Trade facilitation is

not the policy mandate

of customs

administration and/or

other border agencies.

Implementation of

trade facilitation is

government policy....”

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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

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

“....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!....”

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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.

20

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

22

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/Re-

Validation 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.

26

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

27

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

28

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 e-

learning 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

29

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 Train-

the-Trainer course in Zimbabwe during July or August 2014.

30

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.

31

- 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]