From the marble of the Duomo to global crises: the transformation of logistics from an invisible service to a national infrastructure
Over the past few days, Milan has been the freight forwarding capital of the world, hosting the FIATA World Congress 2026, the major annual travelling event that brings together the international community of freight forwarders and logistics operators. This year, the Lombard capital welcomed FIATA delegates from more than a hundred countries, and for a freight forwarders’ congress, this is perfectly normal: we are probably one of the few professions in the world for which the word ‘international’ is not merely an ambition, but an integral part of the job description.
This year’s event takes on an extraordinary civic and symbolic significance, as it brings together two key milestones: FIATA’s centenary and Fedespedi’s 80th anniversary. In 1926, in Vienna, sixteen European associations – including the Trieste freight forwarders’ association – founded FIATA. At that time, Europe was a continent scarred by the wounds of a devastating conflict, with redrawn borders and a strong climate of mistrust between nations. The freight forwarders recognised a fundamental principle: prosperity and peace among peoples depend directly on what is allowed to cross a border. Not just goods, but also ideas, skills and mutual trust. Twenty years later, in 1946, Fedespedi was founded, in the same year that Italia adopted the republican form of government and women voted for the first time. Whilst our country has transformed itself into a major industrial and exporting power, that famous economic miracle was by no means a chance occurrence, but the result of efforts built up day by day through shipments, bills of lading, customs declarations and the tireless work of thousands of businesses.
Today, logistics can no longer be regarded as a secondary or invisible function to be confined to the background of the economy. Recent geopolitical upheavals, crises at key maritime hubs, the return of tariffs and the reorganisation of supply chains have shown that supply chains do not function in isolation and that market stability requires advanced professional expertise. With Italian exports having reached a record value of 643 billion euros in 2025, the dynamic network represented by Fedespedi – comprising some 1,600 companies and 60,000 workers, ranging from family-run businesses to global groups – forms the intangible infrastructure that underpins the competitiveness of ‘Made in Italy’ products worldwide.
The choice of Milan as the host city for the 2026 edition reflects a deep-rooted historical tradition. As a natural hub between the Mediterranean ports and the Alpine passes, Milan has always been the commercial link between Southern and Northern Europe. Its very architectural history tells an extraordinary logistical story: the Candoglia marble used to build the Duomo was transported from Lake Maggiore, travelling along the Navigli canals to the building site in the city centre. The initials ‘AUF’ – standing for ‘ad usum fabricae’ – were engraved on the blocks, guaranteeing exemption from tariffs. This was a true precursor to modern customs facilitation, demonstrating how the simplification of trade flows is part of our region’s historical DNA.
The whole of Italia boasts a deep-rooted tradition of global connectivity, from the maritime merchants of Genoa and Venice right through to the great geographical explorations of the modern era. When Christopher Columbus set sail westwards, he was leading the search for an alternative route; five centuries on, identifying effective routes in the face of geopolitical uncertainties and supply chain disruptions has become the daily task of freight forwarders. As Umberto Eco observed when speaking of translation as the art of connecting different cultures, our work consists of a ceaseless act of translation: we translate the exporter’s requirements into the carrier’s language, harmonise complex customs regulations and transform market expectations into guaranteed arrival dates. Keeping the bridges of trade and global dialogue open is the spirit that guided our founders in 1926 and which continues to define the strategic value of logistics today.
