Agency at the Regional Conference of the FIATA Federation

The Regional Conference of the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA), dedicated to intermodality, sustainable transport, and the development of European logistics, was held on 3–4 September in Prague. The event gathered representatives of the logistics and freight forwarding sectors from across Europe, who exchanged experiences, identified current challenges, and defined priorities in the field of multimodal transport.

The Director of the Port Governance Agency, Vuk Perović, took part in the panel “A Greener Future for Freight Transport and the Role of Waterways in Multimodal Logistics Systems”, which focused on the importance of water transport and ports within supply chains and the green transition.

Perović presented the achievements of the Agency and provided an overview of Serbia’s port sector, emphasizing that the country, due to its favorable geographic position, represents one of the key crossroads of European transport corridors.

He reminded that Serbia ranks third among the Danube region countries in terms of cargo volumes transported by inland waterways, with an annual transshipment between 15.5 and 16 million tonnes. “The potential of our ports lies in their geographical position, continuous investment in the sector, and alignment with European and global trends,” he stated.

Reflecting on Serbia’s cooperation with the European Union in the field of port development, he underlined that it encompasses both investment in infrastructure projects and ongoing coordination at the institutional level.

He also recalled that under the new Regulation on the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), three Serbian ports have been included in the core network, and three others in the comprehensive network. According to him, this inclusion ensures greater visibility of Serbian ports within Europe’s transport system, increased potential for handling larger cargo volumes, and access to EU funding opportunities.

Addressing environmental challenges in the port sector, Perović pointed out that European ports play a crucial role in achieving climate neutrality, given that waterborne transport is the most environmentally sustainable mode of transport. He highlighted that the Agency, as a socially responsible institution, has initiated the “Green Ports” project in line with the Green Agenda, aimed at introducing clean energy sources into ports and terminals across Serbia.

Perović concluded that ports and waterways are not only about the transport of goods and passengers, but also about connecting people, regions, and economies. “By investing in port infrastructure and waterways, we invest in competitiveness and sustainability. The cooperation between public institutions and the private sector is essential for fostering growth and unlocking the full potential of water transport and the port sector,” he emphasized.

FIATA brings together more than 40,000 companies from over 150 countries, including freight forwarding and logistics firms, carriers, and associations. The Federation is committed to improving logistics and intermodal transport, promoting business standardization, and representing the interests of its members before leading international organizations.