2026 FIATA-REU Field Meeting Special

Monday 18 May

Opening Session

Prof Dr Thomas Sim, FIATA President.

The 2026 FIATA-Region Europe (REU) Field Meeting, held jointly with the South-East European Freight Forwarders (SEEFF) Congress, opened on Monday, 18 May, setting the tone for two days of substantive dialogue on the future of freight forwarding in Europe and, in particular, in the South-Eastern part of the continent. The meeting brought together over 180 delegates from 22 territories, which included FIATA Members, industry experts, regulators, and members of the wider European logistics community to reflect on the challenges and opportunities shaping the sector.

The session opened with welcome remarks from Prof Dr Thomas Sim, FIATA President, who underlined the growing strategic role of the region in global logistics. "Eastern Europe is becoming a strategic logistics gateway, no longer transit only," he noted, outlining FIATA's key priorities of advocacy, technology, and innovation. He also stressed that "technology should empower freight forwarders, not marginalise them", reaffirming that freight forwarders remain at the heart of an industry navigating profound transformation, from digitalisation and sustainability to evolving regulatory frameworks and shifting geopolitical realities.

Mr Marius Cae, President of the Freight Forwarders Association of Romania (USER), warmly welcomed delegates on behalf of the host association. Reflecting on the state of the industry, he observed: "Logistics is today more extended, quicker and more expanded than ever, but also more fragile, hence it needs to be protected." Founded in Bucharest in 1993, USER unites companies active across all modes of transport, logistics, intermodal operations, and customs services, and its hosting of the meeting underlined the growing relevance of Romania and the wider South-Eastern European region as a logistics gateway between East and West.

Dr Ivan Petrov, FIATA Past President, President of SEEFF, and Vice-President of the Bulgarian Freight Forwarding Association (NSBS), reflected on the significance of FIATA recognising the sub-regional dimension of the European logistics landscape. Drawing on the longer historical perspective of the Balkans, he recalled the deep divisions of the 1990s and the collective effort to tear down the walls and bring the region together, framing the meeting as a continuation of that cooperative spirit and a testament to the role of freight forwarders in connecting markets and ensuring the resilience of supply chains across the region.

Closing the opening remarks, Ms Antonella Straulino, Chair of FIATA Region Europe, emphasised the value of the FIATA Regional Field Meeting format in translating FIATA's global strategy into concrete regional action, and reaffirmed Region Europe's commitment to driving forward priorities such as multimodal connectivity, digital interoperability, harmonised border procedures, sustainability, and capacity building.

FIATA would like to sincerely thank the USER, the FIATA-REU Field Meeting host for your hospitality and commitment to bringing the freight forwarding community together made for a memorable and productive event.

From left to right: Prof Dr Thomas Sim, FIATA President; Mr Marius Cae, USER President; Ms Antonella Straulino, FIATA Region Europe Chair; and Dr Ivan Petrov, FIATA Past President.

Panel 1. Security, Risk and Compliance: Fighting Fraud and Crime in the Supply Chain

From left to right: Mr Josh Finch, Logistics Risk Manager at TT Club; Ms Nicolette van der Jagt, Director General of CLECAT; Mr Dirk Penasse, General Manager of ESPORG; Mr Niels Beuck, Chair of the FIATA Advisory Body on Safety and Security (ABSS); Mr Gino Laioș, Ambassador at TAPA EMEA; Ms Diana-Maria Bejenaru, Lawyer, Partner and Head of Transport and Logistics Practice at DMB Partners; Mr Dan Cotenescu, Director General of BursaTransport; and Mr Ionuț Cornel Savu, Chief of Police, Office of the Data Protection Officer, Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The first panel of the meeting titled "Security, risk and compliance - Fighting fraud and crime in the supply chain" tackled one of the most pressing operational concerns facing freight forwarders today: the rising sophistication of fraud and criminal activity targeting the supply chain. Moderated by Mr Niels Beuck, Chair of the FIATA Advisory Body on Safety and Security (ABSS), the discussion brought together law enforcement, industry associations, security standards bodies, insurance experts, and legal practitioners to map out the threat landscape and the practical tools available to mitigate it.

The discussions addressed the growing importance of maintaining a robust "chain of trust" across logistics operations, particularly in an environment where digital communication and anonymised subcontracting can create new vulnerabilities. Panellists examined the most common forms of transportation fraud confronting forwarders across Europe, including cargo theft, carrier identity fraud, impersonation schemes and fictitious payment arrangements. Speakers highlighted that criminals increasingly exploit fake or recently established company identities, email spoofing and fragmented subcontracting chains to infiltrate transport operations.

The discussions also covered practical prevention measures, including enhanced due diligence and verification procedures, and stronger operational relationships between supply chain partners. The role of insurance in risk mitigation and the growing importance of cybersecurity were also addressed, together with relevant standards including TAPA and the EU Secure Parking standard. The session closed with legal guidance on recommended responses following an incident, emphasising the importance of rapid evidence preservation, insurer notification, coordination among contractual parties and clear internal compliance protocols in the immediate aftermath of a cargo security incident.

Panellists included Mr Josh Finch, Logistics Risk Manager at TT Club; Ms Nicolette van der Jagt, Director General of CLECAT; Mr Dirk Penasse, General Manager of ESPORG; Mr Niels Beuck, Chair of the FIATA Advisory Body on Safety and Security (ABSS); Mr Gino Laioș, Ambassador at Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA) Europe Middle East and Africa (EMEA); Ms Diana-Maria Bejenaru, Lawyer, Partner and Head of Transport and Logistics Practice at DMB Partners; Mr Dan Cotenescu, Director General of BursaTransport; and Mr Ionuț Cornel Savu, Chief of Police, Office of the Data Protection Officer, Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Panel 2. Intermodal Transport and Regional Connectivity: Development of Transport Corridors in the Central and South - Eastern Europe

From left to right: Mr Turgut Erkeskin, FIATA Immediate Past President; Mr Ralf-Charley Schultze, Director General of UIRR; Mr Vitalie Belescu, CEO of Keypartner; Mr Daniel Jarnea, Head of Marketing Department at the National Company Maritime Ports Administration S.A. Constanța; Dr Ivan Petrov, FIATA Past President; Mr Emil Mammadov, Advisor to the Chairman, Commerce & Logistics at "Azerbaijan Railways" JSC; Mr Oleg Borta, Managing Director of Gradalogistic; Mr Antonio Stoean, Senior Policy Officer at Pro Danube International; Mr Miloš Mervart, Chief Commercial Officer at METRANS; and Mr Amedeo Neculcea, Vice-President of USER.

The session titled "Intermodal Transport and Regional Connectivity: Development of Transport Corridors in the Central and South - Eastern Europe" explored the strategic potential of the Black Sea, the Danube, the Middle Corridor, and TEN-T networks for Central and South-Eastern Europe, in an evolving geopolitical and economic environment. Against the backdrop of shifting trade flows, supply chain diversification and increasing interest in near-shoring, the session examined how the Black Sea region, the Danube, the Middle Corridor and the TEN-T network are reshaping connectivity across Central and South-Eastern Europe.

Discussions highlighted the increasing role of Southeast Europe as a strategic logistics and transit hub linking Europe with neighbouring regions and global markets. Panellists stressed that infrastructure investment alone is insufficient to ensure resilient and efficient transport corridors, underlining the importance of stronger regional coordination, harmonised procedures, trusted partnerships and interoperable digital systems. The importance of customs digitalisation, improved road-rail-port integration and reliable transit times was also emphasised as critical to enhancing corridor competitiveness and predictability.

The session further addressed operational and infrastructure challenges affecting intermodal connectivity, including hinterland bottlenecks, inland waterway navigation constraints and the need for greater terminal flexibility. Particular attention was also given to the untapped potential of inland waterway transport and more sustainable logistics solutions.
The discussions also addressed the development of the Middle Corridor and the importance of moving beyond fragmented national approaches towards a more integrated regional ecosystem for logistics and transport. Speakers highlighted that trust, coordination and standardisation across stakeholders are becoming as important as physical infrastructure in ensuring efficient and secure supply chain operations.

The panellists included Mr Turgut Erkeskin, FIATA Immediate Past President; Mr Ralf-Charley Schultze, Director General of UIRR; Mr Vitalie Belescu, CEO of Keypartner; Mr Daniel Jarnea, Head of Marketing Department at the National Company Maritime Ports Administration S.A. Constanța; Mr Emil Mammadov, Advisor to the Chair, Commerce & Logistics at Azerbaijan Railways; Mr Oleg Borta, Managing Director of Gradalogistic; Mr Antonio Stoean, Senior Policy Officer at Pro Danube International; Mr Miloš Mervart, Chief Commercial Officer at METRANS; and Mr Amedeo Neculcea, Vice-President of USER and was moderated by Dr Ivan Petrov, FIATA Past President.

Panel 3. Navigating the Multitude of Regulations: How Freight Forwarding Companies are Adapting to Evolving Regulations

From left to right: Ms Roxana Ilie, Executive Secretary ESPORG; Ms Nicolette van der Jagt, Director General CLECAT; Ms Patricia Varela, Manager Cargo Innovation and Efficiency IATA; Dr Momchil Antov, Director of NSBS; Ms Andrea Tang, FIATA Legal Services Director; Mr Olivier Gonon, Chief Revenue Officer for Carriers at ALPEGA; and Mr Slavoljub Jevtić, President of the National Association of Forwarding Companies and Agents B.A. "Transport and Logistics"

Panel 3 titled "Navigating the Multitude of Regulations: How Freight Forwarding Companies are Adapting to Evolving Regulations" examined the wave of EU regulation currently reshaping freight forwarding operations, including (Electronic Freight Transport Information (eFTI), the Mobility Package, the Entry/Exit System (EES), and key aspects of the Green Deal, with a focus on preparing for the key deadlines of 2026.

The discussions explored how freight forwarding companies are balancing increasing regulatory obligations with operational efficiency and cost pressures, while also examining how compliance and digitalisation can become strategic enablers rather than administrative burdens. Particular attention was given to the implementation of the eFTI framework and the importance of interoperable digital platforms, harmonised data standards and cross-border coordination to avoid fragmented national approaches across Europe.

Panellists also highlighted the critical role of electronic transport documents such as the eCMR in supporting digital supply chains and improving operational efficiency, including faster invoicing and better visibility across transport operations. The session further addressed the practical challenges facing SMEs in the digital transition, including investment costs, staff training, system integration and limited awareness of upcoming requirements.

Discussions additionally covered broader operational concerns linked to border procedures, driver mobility, secure parking infrastructure and real-time data visibility, emphasising that many transport delays continue to stem from documentation and data-processing inefficiencies rather than physical congestion alone.

Panellists included Ms. Lia Potec, Team Leader eFTI, European Commission, Directorate General for Mobility and Transport, Maritime Transport and Logistics Unit (online); Ms. Andrea Tang, FIATA Legal Services Director; Ms Nicolette van der Jagt - Director General of European Association for Forwarding, Transport, Logistics and Customs Services (CLECAT); Ms Patricia Varela, Manager Cargo Innovation and Efficiency at International Air Transport Association (IATA); Mr Olivier Gonon, Chief Revenue Officer Carrier ALPEGA; Ms Roxana Ilie, Executive Secretary European Secure Parking Organisation (ESPORG); Mr Slavoljub Jevtić, President National Association of Forwarding Companies and Agents B.A.Transport and Logistics; and was moderated by Dr Momchil Antov, Director of the Bulgarian National Freight Forwarding Association (NSBS).

Tuesday 19 May

Panel 4. Reinventing Multimodal Logistics For a Sustainable and Resilient Future

From left to right: Ms Ana Maria Hohan Negru, Country Manager at R-BAG Romania & Moldova; Ms Andrea Tang, FIATA Legal Services Director; Assoc Prof Dr Ghiorghe Bătrînca, Maritime University of Constanta; Ms Nicolette van der Jagt, Director General of CLECAT; Ms Patricia Varela, Manager Cargo Innovation and Efficiency at IATA; Ms Loredana Ristache, Cargo Manager at TAROM; Mr Serdar Ayırtman, Chair of the Micro Logistics and E-Commerce Working Group and Digitalisation Focus Group at UTIKAD, Board Member of UTIKAD; and Mr Adrian Țenu, Manager Administrator at Imperador.

Panel 4 titled "Reinventing Multimodal Logistics For a Sustainable and Resilient Future" explored the latest developments in airfreight and maritime transport, port digitalisation and data integration, and the challenges facing SMEs amid ongoing market consolidation. A central focus was sustainability and carbon taxes - examining who bears the cost of decarbonisation and how freight forwarders can offer competitive green transport solutions. Discussions covered developments in airfreight and maritime transport, port digitalisation and data integration, as well as the growing pressures facing SMEs amid market consolidation, digital transformation and decarbonisation requirements.

A central focus of the session was the impact of sustainability regulation and carbon-related costs across supply chains, including the expansion of emissions-related compliance frameworks and the growing demand for transparent emissions data. Panellists examined how freight forwarders can support customers through more sustainable transport solutions while ensuring that costs, risks and contractual responsibilities are allocated fairly across supply chain stakeholders.

The discussions further highlighted the importance of contractual clarity, trusted data governance and interoperable digital systems in managing increasing compliance and liability risks. Particular attention was also given to the growing role of primary emissions data, cybersecurity considerations linked to digitalisation, and the need for practical and accessible transition pathways for SMEs.

Beyond technology and regulation, the panel emphasised that human expertise, adaptability and trusted relationships remain central to resilient logistics operations. Speakers highlighted the increasing importance of digital literacy, critical thinking, communication skills and continuous professional training as freight forwarders adapt to rapidly evolving operational and regulatory environments.

Panellists included Ms Andrea Tang, FIATA Legal Services Director; Assoc Prof Dr Ghiorghe Bătrînca, Maritime University of Constanta; Ms Nicolette van der Jagt, Director General of CLECAT; Ms Patricia Varela, Manager Cargo Innovation and Efficiency at IATA; Ms Loredana Ristache, Cargo Manager at TAROM; Mr Serdar Ayırtman, Chair of the Micro Logistics and E-Commerce Working Group and Digitalisation Focus Group at UTIKAD, Board Member of UTIKAD; and Mr Adrian Țenu, Manager Administrator at Imperador; and was moderated by Ms Ana Maria Hohan Negru, Country Manager at R-BAG Romania & Moldova.

Panel 5. FIATA Region Europe - Advancing Global Logistics in Uncertain Times: Dialogue with FIATA Associations and Individual Members

From left to right: Ms Andrea Tang, FIATA Legal Services Director; Prof Dr Thomas Sim, FIATA President; and Mr Turgut Erkeskin, FIATA Immediate Past President.

Discussions covered developments in airfreight and maritime transport, port digitalisation and data integration, as well as the growing pressures facing SMEs amid market consolidation, digital transformation and decarbonisation requirements.

A central focus of the session was the impact of sustainability regulation and carbon-related costs across supply chains, including the expansion of emissions-related compliance frameworks and the growing demand for transparent emissions data. Panellists examined how freight forwarders can support customers through more sustainable transport solutions while ensuring that costs, risks and contractual responsibilities are allocated fairly across supply chain stakeholders.

The discussions further highlighted the importance of contractual clarity, trusted data governance and interoperable digital systems in managing increasing compliance and liability risks. Particular attention was also given to the growing role of primary emissions data, cybersecurity considerations linked to digitalisation, and the need for practical and accessible transition pathways for SMEs.

Beyond technology and regulation, the panel emphasised that human expertise, adaptability and trusted relationships remain central to resilient logistics operations. Speakers highlighted the increasing importance of digital literacy, critical thinking, communication skills and continuous professional training as freight forwarders adapt to rapidly evolving operational and regulatory environments.

FIATA High-Level Meeting with Presidents of the FIATA REU Associations

From left to right: Mr Oleg Lipskii, President of the Association of Forwarders And Custom Brokers Of The Republic of Moldova (AEM-TRANS); Dr Momchil Antov, Director The Bulgarian Freight Forwarding Association (NCBS); Ms Andrea Tang, FIATA Legal Services Director; Ms Tsvetin Todorov, Chair of NSBS; Ms Iuliana Badea, General Secretary of USER; Prof Dr Sim, FIATA President; Mr Marius Cae, President of USER; Mr Alperen Güler, FIATA Logistics Institute Chair; Mr Turgut Erkeskin, FIATA Immediate Past President; Dr Ivan Petrov, FIATA Past President; , Mr Karlo Zmajshek, President of the Macedonian International Freight Forwarding and Logistics Operators Association (MIFA); Foreign Trade Mr Ahmet Egrlic, President of the Chamber of Bosnia and Herzegovina International Freight Forwarders Association; Mr Slavoljub Jevtić, President of the National Association of Freight Forwarding Companies and Agents B.U. "Transport And Logistics" - NAFCA B.A.

A dedicated meeting of FIATA Region Europe Association Member Presidents also provided an opportunity for a focused exchange on several pressing regional priorities affecting the freight forwarding sector. Particular attention was given to the growing operational and economic impact of EU driver entry and mobility restrictions on non-EU European transport operators, especially in the Western Balkans and Türkiye, as well as the broader driver shortage and competitiveness challenges affecting the European transport sector. Participants discussed the importance of coordinated advocacy and stronger engagement with industry stakeholders to address operational barriers impacting regional connectivity and trade flows.

The meeting further focused on professional education, training and capacity building, with association representatives exchanging updates on national training initiatives and discussing opportunities to further expand FIATA training and certification programmes across the region.

Discussions additionally highlighted the importance of collaboration between FIATA, Association Members and regional training institutions in supporting knowledge transfer, strengthening professional standards and helping freight forwarders adapt to rapidly evolving operational and regulatory requirements.

FIATA extends its sincere gratitude to USER for hosting the 2026 FIATA-REU Field Meeting. Their generous hospitality and dedication to fostering collaboration within the freight forwarding community made this a truly memorable event. We look forward to building on this momentum together at the 2026 FIATA-Region Asia-Pacific Field Meeting, 2-4 June 2026 in Tianjin, China.

Upcoming FIATA Events

• 2026 FIATA-Region Asia-Pacific Field Meeting, Tianjin, China: 2-4 June 2026
• 2026 Statutory General Meeting, Online: 26 June 2026
• 2026 FIATA World Congress, Milan, Italy: 6-9 October 2026
• 2026 FIATA-Region Africa and the Middle East Field Meeting, Doha, Qatar: 9-10 November 2026
• 2026 FIATA-Region Americas Field Meeting, Cartagena, Colombia: 25-27 November 2026