FIATA World Congress to be held in Cape Town

The Mother City gears up to host more than 1 200 delegates at one of the world’s biggest logistics congresses as the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) heads to town

The logistics and transport industry is on the verge of a digital shakeup with a view to becoming more resource-efficient, faster and more responsive – topics which will be discussed at this year’s FIATA World Congress, which will take place in Cape Town from October 1 to 5.

According to FIATA’s president, Babar Badat, the event is expected to bring together more than 1 200 delegates representing all sectors of the global logistics and transport industry, and will offer a platform for ideas as well as opportunities for the sharing of best practices.

Co-hosted by the South African Association of Freight Forwarders (SAAFF), Badat says the congress programme has been designed to examine the roles new technology and disruptive innovation are playing in the international trade arena, with artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, blockchain and big data among the topics up for discussion.

“The rise of technology start-ups is redefining the industry’s business models, pushing traditional practitioners to rethink what they have become used to in the past, and what to change in the future,” he says.

He adds that he is confident that the existing supply and value chain, along with international logistics service providers, will rise to meet the challenge that digitisation presents. “Together with its customers, the logistics industry continues to prepare itself for transformation. Some leading enterprises have been testing and commercialising various kinds of digital technologies – among them autonomous vehicles, driverless robots, blockchain platforms and digital trade documents.”

According to Badat, participation from Africa has been on the rise in FIATA, signalling an increase in international connectivity. “Our annual congress offers us a platform to showcase our commitment to our members, and to update them with regard to technological developments in the industry. The aim of the Cape Town congress is to help our members prepare for new changes,” he says. “We are looking forward to welcoming all our members to the event.”