The International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) is positioning digital interoperability and workforce modernisation as central pillars of a new logistics paradigm. In a world where trade increasingly relies on intelligent infrastructure, digital standards, and skilled talent, this strategy signals a transformative shift in how air and multimodal cargo systems are designed and governed. The message is clear: the future of freight forwarding depends not only on physical infrastructure, but also on how effectively the sector navigates digital and legal complexity.

FIATA President Turgut Erkeskin captured the shifting priorities of the industry, asserting that the core challenge is no longer operational resilience, but structural relevance. 

“We are moving from a world of physical logistics to one dominated by data logistics. The new competitive edge will lie not in moving containers, but in managing the digital ecosystems that accompany them,” he said.

At the heart of FIATA’s strategy is the global rollout of the electronic FIATA Bill of Lading (eFBL), developed using the UN/CEFACT Reference Data Model. This is designed to serve as a trust-enabling standard capable of integrating seamlessly across customs, airfreight, and multimodal systems.

FIATA estimates that outdated documentation processes contribute to 15 to 20 percent of shipment delays, particularly in airfreight corridors. Adoption of the eFBL could cut end-to-end processing times by as much as 48 hours—an essential improvement for time-sensitive cargo such as pharmaceuticals and high-value electronics.

Digital synergy

While ocean freight often dominates industry dialogue, airfreight is becoming an increasingly prominent focus. Joint digitalisation efforts between FIATA and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) reflect a growing alignment of standards and systems.

Paul Cheetham highlighted the potential of harmonised document frameworks. “Digital integration across document standards enables unified workflows across the airline–forwarder–customs value chain. For air cargo, which operates on tighter lead times and higher cost-per-kilo ratios, this is essential to maintaining competitive throughput,” he said.

India, for example, handled 3.4 million tonnes of air cargo in the 2023–24 financial year, with projections indicating a threefold increase by 2030. Yet digital adoption remains inconsistent, and the integration of cargo community systems (CCS) with global digital frameworks is still evolving. Without systemic digital alignment, local efficiency gains risk being undermined by global bottlenecks.

Workforce-technology gaps

The digitalisation of freight forwarding will not succeed without parallel investment in people. Tej Contractor, Chair of FIATA’s Vocational Training Advisory Body, warned that many forwarders, particularly in emerging markets, lack the skills needed to fully utilise digital tools. “In many emerging markets, digital tools exist, but the freight community lacks the training to use them effectively,” he said.

To address this gap, FIATA has launched standardised digital identity systems and e-learning platforms, now being trialled in India, Vietnam, and Indonesia. These modules aim to enhance digital literacy among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and independent freight forwarders, who handle over 60 percent of India’s cargo movement.

Contractor stressed the importance of tailoring training to local realities. “We’re not pushing generic content. We’re co-developing region-specific modules that include customs documentation, eBL handling, and multimodal coordination,” he said.

India’s logistics sector employs more than 22 million people, many of whom work in analogue environments. Scaling the sector to support India’s ambition of $1 trillion in exports will require aligning workforce capabilities with digital demands.

Technological sovereignty

Digital innovation is only as effective as the legal frameworks supporting it. FIATA Director General Dr Stéphane Graber highlighted the need for harmonised regulations on electronic signatures, document recognition, and data sovereignty. “Technological interoperability means little without legal interoperability,” he noted.

While India has introduced the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDP 2023) and signed bilateral digital economy agreements, legal recognition of digital freight documents remains limited across many jurisdictions. “We need mutual recognition mechanisms under UNCITRAL frameworks for digital trade documents to be universally admissible,” said Graber.

FIATA is now engaging with the World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Committee to integrate digital freight governance into broader trade negotiations. Discussions are also underway with customs agencies to implement pre-authorisation protocols for digital documents—reducing both delays and administrative overheads.