Freight Transport Association (FTA) Explained

The Freight Transport Association (FTA) was set up to represent the interests of logistics companies, whether they are moving goods by sea, air, road or rail. It has been involved in high profile campaigns on issues such as fuel duty and licensing.

Key facts about the FTA:

The FTA can trace its roots back to 1889.
FTA members operate more than 200,000 lorries – almost half the UK fleet.
Members deliver over 90% of freight moved by rail.
FTA members are responsible for 70% of UK visible exports by sea and air.
The FTA has 15,000+ members and is the largest freight trade association in the UK.
The FTA’s 360 staff handle 50,000+ queries from members every year.
The FTA’s membership is limited to UK companies.

Freight Transport Association Profile:

The FTA defines its mission as “safe, sustainable and efficient logistics.” It has a number of different roles, including representing members at local, national and European level and campaigning to raise awareness of the logistics industry.

The FTA also ensures that members are up to date with the latest compliance requirements for their businesses and provides a broad selection of training schemes that are designed to help raise standards and improve working conditions.

In addition, the FTA is a source of information on the sector that it represents, producing reports on topics such as how the logistics industry operates and the challenges that it faces.

Membership benefits include briefings and compliance guides, a pay as you go vehicle recovery service and an online supplier directory.

Membership categories include:

Vehicle Operator Membership
Non-Vehicle Operator Membership
Passenger Membership
Local Authority Membership
Statutory Authority Membership
Branch Membership

Criteria for membership:

The FTA offers the different types of membership listed below. There are no criteria provided as to who can become a member but companies must fall within the definition of one of the businesses below and agree to the terms of the Articles of Association of Freight Transport Association Ltd.

Some additional information is required for each membership category to support the application, as indicated below.

Vehicle Operator Membership – number of vehicles operated and nature of business.
Non-Vehicle Operator Membership – nature of business.
Passenger Membership – annual turnover, nature of business, number of vehicles operated.
Local Authority Membership – number of vehicles operated and population of region served by local authority.
Statutory Authority Membership – number of vehicles operated and population of region authority serves.
Branch Membership – number of vehicles operated, nature of business.

Sample Member Companies

Opinions about the FTA:

The FTA has support from big industry names – such as PWC which puts its name to the annual Freight Transport Association’s Logistics Report and describes the FTA as “one of the UK’s largest trade associations.”

The FTA is mentioned as a partner to the Centre for Sustainable Road Freight and collaborations appear across related issues, such as developing a partial Certificate of Professional Competence with the Obstructive Sleep Apnoeia Group. The FTA is mentioned on the websites of a number of its members and is quoted often where there is an issue that represents the logistics industry.

Website: http://www.fta.co.uk/

For more on shipping see: 2018 International Container Shipping Rates & Costs and Freight Forwarder & NVOCC International Cost & Companies Guide