THE International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations and the International Cargo Handling Coordination Association have renewed their memorandum of understanding to reinforce collaboration between the two organisations.
A signing ceremony took place online on Tuesday and was attended by FIATA and ICHCA representatives, as well as respective members.
FIATA represents the freight forwarding industry by advocating trade facilitation policies and promoting best practices in the supply chain to speak with a unified voice in support of freight forwarding associations and logistics companies.
ICHCA is dedicated to improving the safety, security, sustainability, productivity and efficiency of cargo handling and goods movement by all modes and through all phases of national and international supply chains.
The MOU facilitates close co-ordination between FIATA and ICHCA to help them pursue their respective organisational goals and further mutual understanding. The MoU also creates the framework for co-operation that will enable both organisations to benefit from agreed actions and initiatives to achieve common objectives.
FIATA president Basil Pietersen said co-operation with key industry organisations is critical to the safe and efficient performance of today’s increasingly complex supply chains.
“The renewal of our MOU with ICHCA provides a valuable opportunity to strengthen our collaboration and review our common goals,” Mr Pietersen said.
“As we set sail into this new chapter of our partnership, I am confident that we will achieve the objectives set in this new co-operation agreement.”
The identified areas for collaboration in the MOU include the engagement of all actors in safety and security-related topics, the digitalisation of the supply chain, the improvement and reinforcement of operational efficiency, and regulatory and policy developments around the world that may impact on the activities of the supply chain.
ICHCA International chair John Beckett said by renewing and strengthening the MOU with FIATA, the two organisations can work more effectively in pursuing common goals and objectives.
“We remain committed to our efforts to improve safety, security and sustainability in the global logistics supply chain, especially at the ship/port interface,” Mr Beckett said.
FIATA and ICHCA share a long history. Their collaboration has been ongoing for more than 25 years, with their first MOU signed in 2006.
Since then, both organisations have engaged in different activities and meetings to improve the carriage of packaged dangerous goods, elaborate and publish information material relating to carriage of dangerous goods, and take initiatives to influence the regulatory work at the UN.
