Indonesian logistics leader Yukki Nugrahawan Hanafi has been appointed Senior Vice President of the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA), marking a historic first for Southeast Asia’s largest economy within the global logistics organization.
The appointment was confirmed at the FIATA World Congress 2025, held in Hanoi from October 8 to 10. Hanafi becomes the first Indonesian to assume a senior leadership role in the nearly century-old organization, which represents over 6,000 freight forwarding and logistics companies across more than 150 countries.
“This mandate is a responsibility I carry with pride,” Hanafi said following his appointment. “It provides a platform to voice Indonesia’s interests and contribute to shaping the global logistics agenda.”
Founded in 1926 and headquartered in Geneva, FIATA serves as a key interlocutor between the logistics industry and global institutions, including the United Nations, World Trade Organization, and International Maritime Organization. It plays a central role in the development of global transport standards and documentation.
FIATA’s influence extends to the creation of instruments like the FIATA Bill of Lading (FBL), a multimodal transport document recognized by the International Chamber of Commerce and UNCTAD as a negotiable trade document — underscoring the federation’s impact on international commerce.
Hanafi, a prominent voice in Indonesia’s national logistics sector, said his election presents a strategic opportunity for Indonesia to play a more assertive role in global supply chain policy-making.
“Indonesia’s active engagement in FIATA can boost our competitiveness in an increasingly complex and interconnected trade environment,” he said.
The appointment comes amid growing recognition of Southeast Asia’s importance as a logistics and manufacturing hub, as global firms reconfigure supply chains in the wake of geopolitical shifts and evolving trade dynamics.
FIATA also reiterated its commitment to harmonizing global transport regulations and advancing vocational training for logistics professionals. The World Congress drew participants from across continents to address pressing issues in trade facilitation, digitalization, and sustainability.
The newly elected FIATA Presidency is as follows:
- President: Thomas Sim (Singapore)
- Immediate Past President: Turgut Erkeskin (Turkey)
- Senior Vice Presidents: Yukki Nugrahawan Hanafi (Indonesia), Jens Roemer (Belgium), Nadia Abdul Aziz (UAE)
- Treasurer: Neil Taylor (Chile)
- Secretary General: Keshav Tanna (India)