India‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ Secures Dual Leadership Roles at FIATA World Congress

India has made a loud and clear announcement on the worldwide logistics landscape with the successful election of two Indian delegates to the top leadership posts of the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) during its World Congress in Hanoi. 

Tej Mayur Contractor of the Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations in India (FFFAI) was elected by the majority of votes as Vice President of FIATA. This achievement is not only momentous, as it brings back the Vice Presidency of FIATA to India after 25 years, but also signifies the Indian influence in the global logistics sector to an ever-expanding degree. 

Moreover, the news is that Keshav Tanna, a representative of the Air Cargo Agents Association of India (ACAAI), has been elected as FIATA’s Secretary-General. The fact that Tanna is elected in this very important liaison role to work with other administrative departments in conjunction with Contractor’s Vice Presidency, underlines how Indian logistics is booming, and the leadership talent pool is very deep. 

A Legacy Restored After 25 Years

One can not argue that Tej Mayur Contractor’s appointment is one of the achievements of the whole Indian logistics sector, in fact, it is a moment of celebration for the worldwide freight forwarding community of India. It has been a long stretch of twenty-five years when India last had the honour of holding the Vice Presidency, and the last memory is that of the election of the late Mayur C. Contractor in Cancun, Mexico. His return is in fact, a testament to FFFAI’s commendable and relentless effort in representing the freight forwarders’ interests and upgrading the logistics industry. 

The competitors for the Vice President position were very determined and among them were Nadia from NAFL Dubai, and David Nakatur from Ghana. Within the Asia-Pacific region, the candidates for the office of FFFAI included Tej Mayur Contractor, C.K. Govil from ACAAI India, Paul Khoa from VLA Vietnam, and Adelaide Yang from IOLFFAA Taiwan. 

On the occasion of his promotion to the vice presidency, Contractor thanked FIATA and its member associations for their support.

“To carry on the legacy of my father, Mayur C. Contractor, and to FFFAI, I am honoured to represent India on such a platform. I assure you that I will strive to incubate collaboration and innovation within the logistics sector. As a coalition, we can easily negotiate the complexities of global trade and a green future for our profession is guaranteed.” 

A Powerful Dual Mandate 

The fact that Keshav Tanna, Secretary-General and Tej Contractor, Vice-President have been elected concurrently, is an indication of the escalating acknowledgment of Indian capabilities in the logistics sector, not only from a local perspective but also global.

As the logistics sector would be confronting unexampled trials and openings, the Indian delegation would be the one to take such a challenge and lead the way both in the international and domestic markets. 

It is with this great leverage of power as FIATA’s leaders that FFFAI and ACAAI will continue to uphold their commitment to freight forwarders’ skill development and to the promotion of industry-wide best practices.

This collective triumph serves as a powerful reminder of India’s potential leadership in a dynamic global trade environment. 

Also Read: India’s Air Cargo Grows Amid Legacy ULD Systems and Rising Demand

Tirthankar Ghosh

With more than four decades across print and audiovisual media, Tirthankar (TG) Ghosh is a veteran journalist specialising in aviation, air cargo and logistics. His reporting combines deep industry knowledge, original research and sharp analysis to produce authoritative, evidence-led journalism.