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BIC and FIATA join Cargo Integrity Group

February 24, 2022 – The original five partners of the Cargo Integrity Group are excited to welcome the Bureau International des Containers (BIC) and the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA), strengthening the group in its efforts to improve safety in the global supply chain.

The Cargo Integrity Group brings together international freight transport and cargo handling organisations with different roles in the supply chain and a shared dedication to improving safety, security and environmental performance throughout the logistics supply chain.

BIC and FIATA bring valuable complementary perspectives, resources and networks to the group, further deepening its competence and scope. Both organisations have already worked closely with the Cargo Integrity Group and will directly contribute to faster and more effective progress in reducing incidents, accidents, and biosecurity issues in the international supply chain.

“FIATA has long supported the work of the Cargo Integrity Group and has already collaborated with its stakeholders to promote the CTU code through the activities of its Working Group (WG) Sea headed by FIATA Senior Vice-President, Jens Roemer. By joining the group, FIATA reaffirms its commitment to improving the safety and security of sea freight in the best interest of its customers. FIATA is a key component in reaching out to the end customer and making a difference in the implementation of the CIG’s work, while bringing strong safety and security expertise through the
collaboration of its WG Sea and Advisory Body Safety Security,” comments the FIATA Director General, Dr Stéphane Graber.

“With safety and sustainability at the very core of BIC’s mission, topics like cargo safety, proper declarations and the avoidance of pest contamination are clearly of high interest to us. We’ve been supporting the promotion of the CTU code in communications both with our members and externally since it was first published, and most recently sponsored one of the CTU Quick Guide translations. We’re pleased to take this next step by joining the group, and look forward to working more closely with our partner organizations in helping increase safety in our industry,” says Douglas Owen, Secretary General of Bureau International des Containers (BIC).

Dedicated to improving the safety, security and environmental performance throughout the logistics supply chain, the Cargo Integrity Group will continue its efforts in is chosen focus areas:

• Collaborating with other industry and governmental stakeholders in promoting awareness and better understanding of safe cargo packing and handling practices such as the CTU Code
• Working to improve regulatory requirements such as the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code, and
• Working for strengthened cargo screening processes and more effective container inspection regimes.

NOTES FOR EDITORS

About the Cargo Integrity Group
The Cargo Integrity Group brings together international freight transport and cargo handling organisations with different roles in the supply chain and a shared dedication to improving safety, security and environmental performance throughout the logistics supply chain. The Bureau International des Containers, the Container Owners Association, the Global Shippers Forum, the International Cargo Handling Co-ordination Association, FIATA, the TT Club and the World Shipping Council are co-operating on a range of activities to further the adoption and implementation of crucial safety practices and regulations.

About Bureau International des Containers (BIC)
The Bureau International des Containers (BIC) was founded under the auspices of the International Chamber of Commerce in 1933 as a neutral, non-profit, international organization. BIC seeks to promote efficiency, safety, security, standardization and sustainability in the container supply chain and today has over 2600 container owning and operating members in 125 countries. Publisher of the BIC Code Register since 1970, BIC also operates the BoxTech Global Container Database (bic-boxtech.org), providing API-accessible equipment details to help improve efficiency and safety in the supply chain, the BIC Facility Code Database, providing harmonized codes to identify over 17,000 container facilities in 160 countries, and the Global ACEP Database. BIC holds official observer status at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the World Customs Organization (WCO), and the United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT). www.bic-code.org

About FIATA
FIATA International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations is a nongovernmental, membership-based organization representing freight forwarders in some 150 countries. FIATA’s membership is composed of 109 Associations Members and more than 5,500 Individual Members, overall representing an industry of 40,000 freight forwarding and logistics firms worldwide. Based in Geneva, FIATA is ‘the global voice of freight logistics’. www.fiata.org

Cargo Integrity Group Media Contacts

Bureau International des Containers (BIC)
Douglas Owen, Secretary General, douglas.owen@bic-code.org

Container Owners Association (COA)
Patrick Hicks, Secretary, secretary@containerownersassociation.org

Global Shippers Forum (GSF)
James Hookham, Secretary General, jhookham@globalshippersforum.com

International Cargo Handling Co-ordination Association (ICHCA International)
Maria Udy, Media contact, Portcare International, maria@portcare.com

FIATA (International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations)
Stéphane Graber, Director General, communications@fiata.org

TT Club
Peter Owen, Media contact, Portcare International, info@portcare.com

World Shipping Council (WSC)
Anna Larsson, Communications Director, alarsson@worldshipping.org