2023 saw our industry challenged by hikes in the cost of fuel, natural disasters and the ongoing driver shortage. In this, our first blog of 2024, we take a macro look at the trends, challenges and opportunities we expect will define the year ahead.
Fueling sustainability through innovation
Sustainability is not a new trend, but it remains high on the agenda for ICEFAT members and will be a central topic at the 2024 convention. According to PwC, emissions from road freight transport have risen more than 20 percent since 1995 despite improvements to vehicles, requiring a massive reduction to achieve climate targets[1].
This urgent need for change presents an opportunity for our members to implement new solutions. Gander & White recently collaborated with another provider to invest in the new zero waste reusable crate rental service. Helu-Trans and Dietl are now also offering the service with further ICEFAT members anticipated to sign up in 2024.
Further opportunities lie in technology such as EVs, alternative fuels and fuel-efficient driving, and while there has been progress in favour of ocean over air freight, it is clear that the former offers greater environmental benefits. The Gallery Climate Coalition is an important partner in driving sustainability goals within the art world. ICEFAT’s collective role also needs to be one of education, helping clients to understand the choices for packing and shipping as well as their respective environmental impact.
Others see greater transparency and data reporting as a likely requirement which will encourage more sustainable decision making. Renata Vinhas, General Manager of Brazil-based FINK Mobility, expects “increased national government intervention in the recording and reporting of carbon emissions of logistics companies globally this year.” She is not alone. Christophe Piette, General Manager of André Chenue in France, agrees that sustainability-centered data sourcing will increase, not just for official reporting requirements, but also in response to demand from clients who require lower carbon emissions from their projects. Both FINK Mobility and André Chenue are members of Ecovadis[2], a platform that provides business sustainability ratings, enabling them to understand their progress through a constantly updated grading system.
The remarkable rise of ESG continues
Talk about sustainability inevitably leads to the over aching umbrella of ESG, which is increasingly viewed as integral to commercial success. Businesses are under increasing pressure from shareholders and stakeholders to demonstrate meaningful engagement with ESG, which has led ICEFAT to create a dedicated committee to support members seeking to establish best practise in their organisations. A core objective of the committee is to help members implement emissions data into client estimates and invoices, which will in turn enable them to make more considered decisions around logistics.
Alongside this drive will be the launch of ICEFAT’s carbon calculator to help clients understand and communicate the impact of different crating options. Jamie Harker, Project Manager at US-based Atelier 4, is working in collaboration with several ICEFAT member companies from across the globe to lead the development of the calculator and also sees a broader trend towards perfecting the efficiency of crating options. Harker points to a growing trend of upcycling with many ICEFAT members already offering options to reuse existing crates, retrofitting the interiors for new artworks in an effort to recycle materials.
Environmental trends will continue to be an important topic throughout 2024, with technology playing a key role in contributing towards more sustainable practises.
Retaining talent and fostering engagement
The lack of HGV drivers and trained art handlers continues to be an industry pain point. With hiring new staff proving to be an ongoing challenge, attention will focus on retention of existing staff and a greater emphasis on company values, training and personal development in order to foster a sense of inclusion.
Apice in Italy and André Chenue in France have both had success working with educational institutions to source professionals at the very beginning of their arts careers. Apice worked in partnership with Palazzo Spinelli Institute to create a dedicated course called “Handling, Transport and Logistics for Cultural Goods.” The course is open to a broad audience in the art world who want to better their skill set and is already in its sixth edition in only two years. Apice found that the course expanded its hiring pool as several former students have applied for positions after attending the course. France is also well-equipped to deal with the shortage thanks to its École Internationale de Logistique des Oeuvres d’Art. André Chenue takes six apprentices a year from the institution and is currently on its third intake. Pupils from the program often come back to work for the company permanently following graduation. Both agents predict that in 2024, closer relationships between ICEFAT members and educational establishments globally will bear fruits to lessen the talent acquisition issue in future.
These issues and many others will doubtless be discussed at length throughout 2024, not least at ICEFAT’s annual conference, which takes place this year in Montreal. Our members strive to set the highest standards for fine art logistics globally, innovating and pushing the boundaries of possibility, and we anticipate that an exciting year of progress lies ahead.
[1] https://www.pwc.de/en/sustainability/sustainability-in-the-transport-and-logistics-industry.html