Hidden vital players in supply chain – Freight forwarders from nineteenth century to date in Serbia

This paper illuminates the freight forwarders’ role and significance in Serbia from late nineteenth century to date. Comprehensive research of available literature and sources was conducted in more than 50 institutions, located mostly in Serbia. The presented results comprise both historical dataset and contemporary data on trends in freight forwarding and logistic market. Three main findings are: a) considering available statistical data, freight forwarding was developed from a rare, but notable occupation in late nineteenth century in the Kingdom of Serbia, to a vital economic activity in logistic sector in twenty-first century in the Republic of Serbia; b) current role and significance of forwarders in Serbia and European Union is not adequately recognised and appreciated within the European statistical classification of economic activities (NACE); c) Freight forwarders in Serbia and Balkan region have shown high resilience and permanent transformation through the centuries. Additionally, the rising role of women was also considered.