Schoenmaeckers
Can ChatGPT represent our sector?
Here is ChatGPT’s answer to my question to write a column about the present challenges in our sector. I did not ask due to a lack of inspiration or time, but because we have been devoting a lot of effort to the use of AI in our sector this last year at FORWARD Belgium.
The logistics sector is in the middle of a transformation that is being stoked by geopolitical tensions, capacity issues, and technological disruption. What once revolved around cost optimisation and predictability is now marked by uncertainty, scarcity, and the necessity for structural change.
The geopolitical reality is undeniable. Trading routes are under pressure due to conflicts in the Red Sea, tensions around Taiwan, and sanction frameworks that redefine the playing field. Multinationals are reconsidering their supply strategies; terms such as ‘nearshoring’, ‘friendshoring’, and ‘supply chain resilience’ have become familiar in the boardroom.
The aftermath of the trade war launched by President Trump is leaving a lasting impact. Structural import rights, mutual sanctions, and increasing economic polarisation have caused a less transparent and more politically driven trading system. For customs representatives and freight forwarders this means more complexity, compliance obligations, and the importance of up-to-date knowledge about customs legislation and rules of origin.
Colophon
Brouwersvliet 33, 2000 Antwerp T +32 3 233 67 86 info@forwardbelgium.be www.forwardbelgium.be
Published by: Olivier Schoenmaeckers
Administration: Ines De Bruyn
Marketing: Vanessa Thys
Change of address: Ines De Bruyn, ines@forwardbelgium.be
Editors:
Veerle Van Beeck, Olivier Schoenmaeckers, Jan Jacobs
Pre-press: Annemie Keersmaekers
Concept & creation: KMOdynamoo
The challenges on the operational side are just as great. Port congestion and capacity fluctuations undermine the reliability of supply chains. In peak periods, the logistics system is tested to its limits, resulting in longer waiting times, demurrage penalties, and schedule disruptions.
Meanwhile, technology is accelerating. Artificial intelligence is being introduced in planning software, forecast analyses, freight matching, and even in customs processes. AI promises to support decision-making based on real-time data, increased predictability, and faster throughput.
The rise of AI also changes the role of logistics providers. While, traditional expertise was sufficient, the modern logistics professional is now expected to operate in an environment in which data integrity, algorithmic decision-making, and cybersecurity are an integral part of the profession. The sector will need to keep developing – in terms of systems, processes, and people.
At FORWARD, we realise only too well that we will not continue to reach the younger generations within our companies by sending newsletters, mailings, or LinkedIn posts in order to share our knowledge and information. Therefore, it is our ambition to become the ChatGPT for freight forwarders and customs representatives. If you have a good name for our FORWARD chatbot, do let us know…
Young FORWARD Belgium builds bridges between the logistics sector and education
Our sector is on the move and that means we need a new generation of professionals who are ready to face the challenges ahead. Young FORWARD Belgium takes this mission seriously. By actively collaborating with educational establishments, Young FORWARD aims to get young people excited about a future in logistics. The sector is made tangible and accessible to students in secondary and higher education thanks to initiatives like the Supply Chain Experience Day and participation in HavenWijs, but also with guest lectures.
HavenWijs: inspiration through educational professionals
On 13 May, Young FORWARD Belgium attended HavenWijs in Antwerp, an initiative by the Port of Antwerp-Bruges and Havenwereld. This event targets teachers in higher and secondary education and gives them the chance to become acquainted with companies in the port. In the morning, they were immersed in the educational offering, while there was the opportunity for networking with port companies during the afternoon. Young FORWARD Belgium conversed with teachers and showed our sector to be dynamic, international, and future-proof. It was an ideal moment to inspire them to integrate logistics into their lessons and get young people excited about our sector.
Supply Chain Experience Day: appealing to young people
Another recent highlight was the Supply Chain Experience Day, organised on 8 May by the University of Applied Sciences
and Arts in collaboration with Young FORWARD Belgium and BSV The Next Generation. During this event, pupils from the fifth and sixth year in secondary education got to know the sector thanks to speed dates with companies. The personal conversations provided a unique opportunity to ask questions accessibly, share experiences, and discover the diversity of our sector.
The active involvement of our Young FORWARD representatives gave the event an extra boost.
Guest lectures: practice meets classroom
Young FORWARD Belgium is regularly invited to give guest lectures in both secondary schools and colleges. Young people from the sector share their experiences and give students a realistic glimpse of the logistics employment domain.
Stronger together: education and sector go hand in hand
Young FORWARD Belgium firmly believes in the power of partnership. By teaming up with schools, teachers, and youth organisations, we lay the foundations together for a strong, innovative logistics future. The bridge between education and sector is not an abstract idea – it is a lively exchange centred on young people.
After all, tomorrow’s supply chain starts today, in the classroom, at a trade show, or during an inspiring chat with a young professional.
Technology as a lever for the logistics chain
The logistics sector is digitalising at rocket speed. Freight forwarders, customs representatives, and logistics providers are undergoing a technological transformation that accelerates processes, but also reshapes collaboration and safety. Here, digital tools are not a luxury, but a necessity.
The Beacon: innovation as an ecosystem
At the heart of this movement lies The Beacon, a technology and innovation hub in Antwerp, which connects companies, start-ups, governments, and knowledge institutions around digital solutions for the port, logistics, and industry. “We are building an ecosystem where partnership accelerates innovation,” says CEO Inés Sylverans. “The goal is not the actual technology, but the impact it has on people and processes.”
COO Robin Pauwels continues, “Our members bring ideas to life in a realistic context. Concrete examples are platforms that increase the traceability of containers, mapping CO2-tracking of goods flows, and making payments more efficient. Transparency, predictability, and customer focus are at the heart of everything here.”
tools and using AI to automate documents and certificates.
“For freight forwarders and customs representatives, this means a significant simplification of the administrative processes,” explains Olivier Schoenmaeckers (FORWARD Belgium Director).
“FORWARD Belgium and The Beacon stimulate knowledge exchange, helping members to make the right choices in a fast-changing technological landscape.”
Inés Sylverans (CEO The Beacon)
Smart document management for customs representatives
Various players within The Beacon are developing digital
“This avoids errors and accelerates procedures. Plus, everything is digitally traceable, which leaves more time for advice and case knowledge.” By organising joint workshops for members of The Beacon and FORWARD Belgium, we aim to bring the technological and logistics world closer together. We aim to inspire companies to take steps to make their processes more efficient.”
Olivier Schoenmaeckers
Inés Sylverans
Robin Pauwels
Safety at container level
Another important aspect is the security of the logistics chain. There are applications for this that secure container-release processes with blockchain technology. “Fraud-sensitive PIN codes are being replaced by digital granting of rights, which is fully traceable and secure,” says Robin Pauwels. “This is not a gimmick, but an effective response to logistics security risks.”
Training, trust, and human insight
Despite the increasing integration of technology, human expertise remains indispensable. “Technology supports decisions, but does not make them,” is the unanimous message. Training, process knowledge, and critical insight all remain crucial. “Those wishing to succeed in their digitalisation must take the courage both to change and collaborate. That requires transparency and support,” confirms Inés Sylverans. “Here, FORWARD Belgium and The Beacon play a key role by stimulating knowledge exchange, combining initiatives, and helping members to make the right choices in a fast-changing technological landscape.”
Congestion is no excuse: Your rights as a freight forwarder remain
The persistent congestion in various ports is causing ever more ships to change course to alternative ports in order to unload their goods. Often, this leads to frustration and extra costs in the logistics chain. If the transport document states Antwerp as the ‘port of discharge’, the freight forwarder is also contractually bound to unload there.
Delivery of the goods to the agreed location is an essential element in the transport agreement. If a shipping company relies on clauses in the bill of lading terms to unilaterally change the destination, this is not automatically valid under Belgian law. A unilateral provision that excludes or limits this essential duty without a valid reason means the agreement has no object and is therefore null and void.
Furthermore, congestion in a port cannot simply be claimed as force majeure. It is often a situation that is known and predictable beforehand that the shipping company can and must consider. Any problems with subcontractors, such as terminals, do not relieve the shipping company of its legal obligations.
If containers are still being unloaded in another port, the shipping company must take care of transport to Antwerp, as contractually agreed. Therefore, it bears both the costs and the responsibility. A different judgement would entirely undermine the essence of a transport contract.
Furthermore, the so-called free time – the period in which no extra costs are owed – only starts from the moment the goods arrive in Antwerp and are available to the customer.
Costs arising from the shipping company’s unilateral decision and then unlawfully passed to the customer are therefore best contested. So don’t just let additional costs or altered delivery arrangements be imposed upon you. Your rights are clear – and enforceable.
A must for every new freight forwarder: the online basic training from FORWARD Belgium
It is a challenge for everyone to find qualified staff, which is why you make a difference for your company by investing in knowledge and training. FORWARD Belgium is launching a brand-new online basic training course for freight forwarders. This practical e-learning programme is suitable not only for starters, but also experienced employees.
The training course begins with the various FORWARD Belgium Best Practices and offers clear guidelines and solutions for daily challenges within our sector. Among other things, it focuses on growing demands relating to compliance, risk management, and a better understanding of customs processes. Hot topics such as CBAM, EUDR, fraud prevention, and the FORWARD hotline for suspicious consignments are also covered.
This training course teaches each freight forwarder about their role in the logistics chain and their position in relation to other players, such as shipping companies, terminals, transporters, etc.
Why choose this training course?
• Flexible, 100% online, and followed at your own pace
• For every employee in freight forwarding: from newcomer to supervisor
• Opportunity to earn a FORWARD Belgium certificate, a bonus for both employees and employers
• Attractive discounted rates for FORWARD Belgium members
Cost price (excluding VAT) for five codes:
• Members: €500 | Non-members: €750
Codes remain valid for one year. For employees under Joint Committee 226, a subsidy is possible through the LOGOS training fund.
Want more information or to book the training course?
Contact the FORWARD Belgium secretariat and give your employees the knowledge boost they deserve. Discover the power of a strong basic training course – an investment in the future of your company!
“We are flying in the dark”: communication and alignment remain an obstacle in customs projects
The rollout of new customs-IT systems like NCTS phase 5, IDMS, and PN/TS is reaching a pivotal point. However, according to Kurt Crauwels, Managing Director at Customs Support Belgium and chairperson of the FORWARD Belgium Customs Commission, the sector is insufficiently prepared. Not because it is unwilling, but due to a lack of transparency, test opportunities, and workable deadlines. “The systems are being launched, but nobody knows exactly what will come into operation when. Such a situation is untenable.”
Delays and blind spots
Crauwels’s analysis is incisive. “We are facing European obligations that are then translated into Belgian implementations, yet without sufficient alignment with
the users. The communication about what is expected and when is often too vague or too late. Companies are willing to adapt, but how do you do that when you only know the rules once the game is already in play?” In his opinion, many companies share the same frustration: systems that are behind schedule, last-minute message structures, and limited or unstable test environments. “You cannot test your software properly, let alone train your staff, if you have no reliable simulation of the new processes. Then you’re flying in the dark.”
Testing is no luxury
Crauwels also advocates for a much more active and transparent testing phase. “An IT system is not a button you press. It involves flows, exceptions, error messages, etc. You need to be able to test that in realistic scenarios, preferably together with partners in the chain. This is currently done too little or too late.”
He also refers to a fundamental area of tension. “The administration wants to respect the European deadlines, which is understandable. However, if this means that companies cannot do realistic tests, we will make mistakes rather than progress. Then, we risk operational standstill.”
Kurt Crauwels
Lack of clarity about responsibilities
In addition to the timing, the role allocation is also creating confusion. For example, this is the case with the new PN/TS platform, where declarations must be made by terminals or storage posts. “Who is responsible for which declaration? How is the data flow managed between parties? All too often the questions remain unanswered, even though we are close to going live.”
According to Crauwels, there are also doubts within companies about internal responsibilities. “The customs unit, IT, and operations often function independently. However, they must work together for these projects. But if the administration doesn’t provide a clear overview, how can companies hope to organise this internally?”
What must/can be done differently?
Crauwels is clear: more clarity is needed, earlier in the process. “We need project communication tailored to the end users, not just technical sheets. Give companies stable testing tools, clear deadlines and scenarios, and do it in plenty of time. Only then can they prepare properly.” At the same time, he calls on companies to roll up their own sleeves. “Don’t wait until the official start date. Go in search of information, ask critical questions, and work internally on a multidisciplinary basis. Those working proactively now will avoid having to resolve issues later.” He concludes, “Digitalisation is essential, but the rollout must be professional. Today, this too often lacks the practical touch.”
