The International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations, or FIATA, and the International Cargo Handling Coordination Association, or ICHCA, renewed their memorandum of understanding on June 29, reinforcing collaboration between the two organizations.

FIATA advocates for the freight forwarding industry on trade facilitation policies and supply chain best practices in support of freight forwarding associations and logistics companies. ICHCA strives to improve 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.
 
Through the MoU, the organizations coordinate in pursuing their respective organizational goals and further mutual understanding, as well as creating the framework for cooperation that will enable them to benefit from agreed actions and initiatives to achieve common objectives.
 
“Cooperation with key industry organizations is critical to the safe and efficient performance of today's increasingly complex supply chains,” FIATA President Basil Pietersen said. “The renewal of our MoU with ICHCA provides a valuable opportunity to strengthen our collaboration and review our common goals. As we set sail into this new chapter of our partnership, I am confident that we will achieve the objectives set in this new cooperation agreement.”
 
The MoU’s areas for collaboration include engagement of all actors in safety and security-related topics, supply chain digitalization, improving and reinforcing operational efficiency, and global regulatory and policy developments that may impact on supply chain activities.
 
“By renewing and strengthening our MoU with FIATA, the two organizations can work more effectively in pursuing our common goals and objectives,” said John Beckett, ICHCA International’s chairman. “We remain committed to our efforts to improve safety, security and sustainability in the global logistics supply chain, especially at the ship/port interface.”
 
FIATA and ICHCA have collaborated for more than 25 years, signing their first MoU in 2006. The organizations have sought to improve the carriage of packaged dangerous goods, elaborate and publish information material relating to carriage of dangerous goods, and take initiatives to actively influence the regulatory work at the UN.