15 May 2008
Industry associations warn Europe against rush towards new transport charges

Representatives of European industry and maritime transport services have raised concerns over the hasty introduction of transport infrastructure charges in the European Union. The charges are intended to cover costs to society brought about by transport and the use of the infrastructure: such impacts include poor air quality, congestion, accidents and noise. Read more

15 May 2008
Inter-governmental shipping group to meet: security at top of the agenda

An intergovernmental meeting is taking place in Washington where one of the 'hottest' subjects on the agenda is maritime container security. The debate rolls on... Read more

14 May 2008
The first terminal worldwide is certified with the new CTQI standard

The first container terminal is certified under the new Container Terminal Quality Index developed by Germanischer LLoyd and the Global Insstitute of Logistics. Read more

13 May 2008
Criticism of US 100% scanning requirement grows: it is too simplistic and costly

The US requirements for all containers by 2012 entering the USA to be scanned before being shipped are coming in for increased criticism as too simplistic and too costly. Read more

09 May 2008
Shippers’ Voice membership is going up

Shippers’ Voice membership is going up thanks to everyone who registered with us at the Multimodal show – and the winner of the champagne is... Read more

09 May 2008
Shippers should encourage airfreight carriers and forwarders to join air freight performance group

Despite the fact that the March performance figures produced by Cargo 2000 revealed slightly disappointing results compared with last month’s figures, Andrew Traill, Managing Partner of The Shippers’ Voice suggests more carriers and forwarders should join this performance measurement initiative. Read more

01 May 2008
Shippers’ Voice Seminars at the Multimodal Conference and Exhibition

The Shippers’ Voice Seminars at the Multimodal Conference and Exhibition in Birmingham, UK last week covered a wide range of subjects – ranging from automotive to cool chain to virtual communities. Read more

25 April 2008
Fuel Surcharges: Shippers are baffled by BAFs

Results of analysis commissioned by the European Shippers' Council has revealed that conference lines on the US-Europe and Far East-Europe trade lanes are setting fuel surcharges (BAFs) far higher than the current price of fuel oil would suggest is fair. Read more

24 April 2008
Shippers encouraged to use Shippers’ Councils to fight price-fixing

The ESC has joined a Class Action in order to help European shippers claim against the airlines accused of price fixing. Read more

22 April 2008
Restoring the balance of power between shipper and provider

At The Shippers’ Voice Seminar, Multimodal conference and Exhibition, 22nd April 2008 in Birmingham, England, concerning the logistical challenges facing the automotive industry, it was revealed that a ‘balance of power’ needed to be restored in order to facilitate collaboration between the shipper and the logistics provider. Read more

22 April 2008
Shippers need to be convinced of benefits of new security measures, says Filip Beckers from Mars

Shippers want to know what the benefits will be of investing time and money into becoming ‘known shippers’, delegates at the Multimodal 2008 conference heard today. Read more

17 April 2008
Japan Airlines International pleads guilty to fixing prices on cargo shipments

The Japanese airline JAL has become the fourth airline to plead guilty to price fixing for cargo charges. Read more

17 April 2008
Bruce Carlton becomes new President of US shippers' group

US shippers' group, the National Industrial Transportation League, has appointed the senior US MarAD official, Bruce Carlton, as its new President. Read more

14 April 2008
Road freight ‘cabotage’ restrictions in Europe – still all to play for.

The European Council of Transport Ministers have proposed a slight easing of the current restrictions which remain in road freight transport by EU haulage companies. Read more

14 April 2008
Canadian review to improve rail freight service

Following amendments that benefit shippers' interests and strengthen their rights over dominant rail freight operating companies, a review is about to commence to explore other service issues. Read more

10 April 2008
Air freight KPIs reveal steady performance levels

The results published by the air freight industry group Cargo 2000, reveal flown as planned performance levels to be remaining steady at 88%. Read more

08 April 2008
Shipper tells how US security requirements will present ‘big problems’

Commenting on the proposals of the US Customs and Border Protection agency for yet more advanced trade data (the so-called 10+2 rule), a UK shipper has listed the difficulties it will create. Read more

28 March 2008
ESC launches consultation on a solution to reduce errors in shipping documents and invoices

Errors in transport documents and invoices have been the bane of many shippers’ lives for too long. Considerable man-hours are spent checking documents, submitting revised drafts or disputing invoices. But now a solution has been proposed and is out for consultation. Read more

27 March 2008
First issue of Shippers' Voice Digest focuses on congestion

Some shippers admit their work practices and priorities are responsible for making congestion worse – others place the blame squarely with the lack of planning by the transport industry and/or local and national governments. Read more

25 March 2008
Shippers and transport industry unite against EU deadlines for advanced data rules

Trade Contact Group says neither shippers’ or transport providers’ automated systems can be ready for the July 2009 implementation of the European Union security requirements to submit data in advance of the importation and export of goods, under the new Import Control System. Read more

19 March 2008
Opportunity to participate in a new rail project

A new project is being proposed, similar to the successful European Shortsea XML project, to develop message standards based on XML technology, this time for rail reight logistics. Read more

16 March 2008
Suppliers and users of European railfreight share frustrations

Railfreight providers need to understand their customers more – but, equally, potential rail users need to understand the constraints that railfreight suppliers face. This was one of the messages from a seminar organised by the European Shippers’ Council at the SITL Europe logistics exhibition earlier this month. Read more

14 March 2008
Changes agreed but questions remain over who pays for Europe’s aviation security

New legislation will be implemented within the next two years across the European Union to introduce changes to aviation security requirements and procedures. But the question as to who pays remains unresolved. Read more

13 March 2008
Shippers should urge carriers and forwarders to join Cargo 2000, says ESC

Few shippers have heard of the air cargo group 'Cargo 2000' or their key performance monitoring system; but shippers' group leader suggests shippers should consider using 'Cargo 2000 compliant' carriers and forwarders. Read more

11 March 2008
Airfreight industry opens communication links to shippers

The aviation industry is promising to listen more to shippers. In the areas of security, performance measures, e-freight and environmental strategy, the focus is to get shippers more involved – to listen to their voice. Read more

06 March 2008
European shippers call for mutual recognition of aircargo security programmes.

The European Shippers’ Council (ESC) has called for the aircargo industry to work towards mutual recognition of air cargo security programmes Read more

05 March 2008
European Barge Union promises to help EU lower emissions

The European Barge Union says it is committed to helping the European community work towards a more sustainable transport system. Read more

03 March 2008
Mutual recognition of EU and US aviation security programmes in jeopardy

A simplistic website displaying lists of certified air cargo security shippers and agents may put at risk chances for mutual recognition with US authorities. Read more

03 March 2008
Air freight not shifting to sea

Air freight conference views, supported by a Shippers' Voice opinion poll, suggest there is no exodus of air freight to competing sea freight services. Read more

29 February 2008
XML messaging gains more interest

XML messaging developments to improve efficiency of communication and operations in the short-sea sector attracts more interest from operators. Read more

29 February 2008
ACL quits ELAA over fears of litigation

The carrier ACL has displayed its view of the controversial proposals by the liner industry to develop a system of information exchange by resigning from the organization developing it. Read more

28 February 2008
Airlines seek out the Shippers’ Voice

Airfreight carriers recognise they need more ways to talk to shippers. With this in mind, Andrew Traill from The Shippers’ Voice has been invited to an IATA (International Air Transport Association) meeting in Rome, March 3-6. Read more

25 February 2008
Hijacking of trucks on the increase

Hijackings across Europe are on the increase according to Scottish whisky companies and the Scottish Business Crime Centre. A group known as the Drinks Industry Project Scotland (DIPS), held seminar recently which explained just how organised gangs target trucks, take the driver captive and hijack the truck and trailers, and can often get away with €millions every year. Read more

18 February 2008
Climate change survey shows ‘all talk and no action’

Most executives consider climate change important but few are translating this into corporate policy or action. This is the view from a survey of company executives published by the consulting firm McKinsey in a report called 'How companies think about climate change'. Read more

12 February 2008
Claims of excessive fuel surcharges gather pace with transparency from Maersk

The Shippers’ Voice blog ‘Time to end surcharges’ (27 November 2007) has recorded some interesting early support for the recently launched Maersk bunker surcharge calculator. Now, it seems, according to a report in TradeWinds (published 1st February, 2008) the calculator is putting the spotlight on the level of surcharges being announced by the liner conferences. Read more

08 February 2008
How can rail freight improve its performance?

The European Shippers' Council is to host a panel discussion with representatives of the rail freight industry and their customers, at the SITL Europe conference and exhibition in Paris, 11th March 2008. The panel will determine how performance levels can be improved. Read more

08 February 2008
C-TPAT gets praised by shippers

Surveys reveal US shippers' support for security programme, C-TPAT; but the Customs agency has extended the deadline for comments on its proposed new "10+2" requirements. Read more

08 February 2008
Mixed reactions to Quality Index for Container Terminals

Germanischer Lloyd and the Global Institute of Logistics will shortly be launching Container Terminal Quality Indicators (CTQIs). The Shippers’ Voice has canvassed opinion from some shippers registered on its website and found mixed feelings towards the initiative. Read more

07 February 2008
Survey reveals environmental issues will be the number one priority for companies in the next 3 years

A survey carried out by Eye for Transport revealed that more companies are slowly becoming aware of environmental pressures and the need to improve their ‘environmental credentials’. Read more

05 February 2008
London launches biggest ‘green zone’ in the world

London has introduced a 'Low Emissions Zone' around the city which will fine operators of trucks if they fail to meet European Union standards on emissions. The industry fears that as many as 20% of trucks operating in London will fail. Read more

04 February 2008
Progress on new messaging framework for short-sea shipping

A project bringing together over 30 leading shortsea ports, carriers, transport buyers and IT professionals is making headway in the establishment of a series of standardised messages covering the core processes of scheduling, booking, operations and invoicing for short-sea operations. Read more

30 January 2008
Restrictive practices in road haulage set to last 6 more years

A recent vote by the European Parliament to lift restrictions on the use of 'foreign' haulage in road freight operations within individual member states of the EU (known as cabotage) is a big step forward but still some six years away. Read more

29 January 2008
Shippers eagerly await outcome of KPIs initiative to help resolve documentary and invoicing errors

Shippers eagerly await outcome of KPIs initiative to help resolve documentary and invoicing errors, according to a shipper speaking at the recent maritime freight conference of the Swiss Shippers' Council in Interlaken, Switzerland. Read more

22 January 2008
European Industry Advises Against Ratification of Proposed New Liability Regime

The European Shippers’ Council warned today against signing a seriously flawed draft liability convention being negotiated in Vienna. Of key concern are new provisions for volume contracts agreed last week which fail to protect European shippers’ legitimate interests and, according to the ESC, will mark a departure from principles enshrined in every international carriage convention currently in force. Read more

22 January 2008
Maersk fuel surcharge calculator gets early approval

Maersk Line have launched an on-line BAF calculator to help its customers identify the fuel surcharge for differrent routes at any one time. Early opinion suggests this is being seen as a positive step towards transparency of the surcharge. Read more

18 January 2008
TOTAL ruling means ‘careless’ cargo owners could now be liable for maritime pollution

A court ruling could set legal precedence for cargo owners to be convicted for their part in ecological disasters. This follows the fining of TOTAL SA for 'carlesness' when inspecting and vetting the vessel Erika to carry its cargo of heavy fuel oil. The vessel sank in December 1999, spilling 20,000 tonnes of fuel oil, off the French west coast. Read more

18 January 2008
EU air security breakthrough.

After months of disagreement, members of the European Parliament and representatives of the EU's 27 member states reached a consensus, on 11 January, regarding the revision of the regulatory framework for aviation security. The European air freight industry can therefore sigh with relief that the hard work put in over the past two years on new harmonised air cargo security rules can now be implemented. Read more

08 January 2008
US 10+2 proposal is a 'bureaucratic burden' claims European shippers group

New US proposed rules requiring US importers and carriers to submit further data to the US customs authorities in advance of sailing have been strongly criticised by a European shippers' group, the ESC. Read more

03 January 2008
More pre-arrival information required by new US security proposal

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have finally published the long anticipated Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) requiring importers and carriers to electronically submit additional information on cargo before it is brought into the United States by vessel. Read more

28 December 2007
UK trials of longer vehicles being considered

Ministers in the UK Government are likely to consider trials of longer and heavier road freight vehicles for trunk-haul operations following successful trial elsewhere in Europe. Read more

28 December 2007
100% scanning trials spread to Singapore, Hong Kong, Busan (Korea) and Port Salalah (Oman)

The Secure Freight Initiative expands the use of radiation scanning and imaging equipment to examine more U.S.-bound containers, not just those determined to be high-risk. The port of Singapore is part of the second group of international ports evaluating integrated cargo radiation detection and non-intrusive imaging capabilities in Phase 1 of the Secure Freight Initiative. Read more

22 December 2007
European Commission warns of possible maritime emission standards

The European Commission are making it clear that failure by the IMO to deliver proposals that start to tackle climate change (through reductions in CO2 emissions) would result in unilateral action by Europe. Read more

21 December 2007
Container terminal slot auction proposed to ease congestion

An idea to auction terminal container slots has been proposed by two students in order to ease congestion at peak periods. Meanwhile the Port of Rotterdam have proposed construction of off-site facilities to ease future problems and use barges to ship containers to the terminals. Which solutions are best? Read more

21 December 2007
Information Exchange goes ahead as new ELAA Chairman steps in.

The ELAA have awarded the development contract for a new and controversial system of information gathering and exchange to P3 Technology. ELAA's new chairman, Ulrich Kranich of Hapag Lloyd will oversee the ELAA through the coming year of change for the liner industry as the conference system in Europe ends on 18th October. Read more

18 December 2007
Security worries highlighted by expert

A one-time shipper, now logistics and supply chain security advisor has expressed anxiety over what he sees as insufficient policing of the security regulations especially in air cargo. Read more

18 December 2007
Shippers' plea recognised in security framework

The World Customs Organization has accepted the case made by European shippers that carriers and not shippers are best placed to make advanced cargo declarations for security purposes to the importing customs office. Read more

17 December 2007
Smarter Logistics-less transport-lower costs – let the competition begin!

In the coming year, 90 companies in 7 participating countries will put into practice transport reducing and smarter logistics strategies to demonstrate the cost reductions that are possible. Read more

17 December 2007
Shippers should check their surcharge rates, warns Hong Kong Shippers' Council

Shippers should check to find out whether they have paid the correct surcharge, according to the Chairman of the Hong Kong Shippers’ Council. Read more

12 December 2007
Italian road blocks: Dutch shippers seek rights of access

Italian road freight dispute has caused the blockade of many key routes within Italy and across its frontiers with the rest of the EU. The Dutch shippers' group, EVO, has written to the European Commission urging them to restore the freedom of movement for freight as contained in the EUropean Treaty of Rome. Read more

07 December 2007
Shippers to blame for driver shortages according to Chemical Industry

Poor facilities for drivers at shippers' premises and long waiting times adds pressure on drivers which contributes to low salaries to make driving unpopular. This is the claim from a chemical industry survey conducted recently in response to concerns over driver shortages. Read more

05 December 2007
European air freight industry holds its breath over security talks

A six week ‘conciliation’ process to reach agreement on revisions to EU aviation security regulations ends in early January. Read more

05 December 2007
US considers accelerating timetable for air cargo inspections

Fifty percent of cargo on passenger planes will need to be screened within ten months Read more

05 December 2007
Calculating the ‘true’ cost of transport

The European Commission is currently striving to come up with a universal framework that could be used to make transport users pay for the negative effects they inflict on society, including air pollution, CO2, accidents and congestion. Read more

04 December 2007
ESC urges fight against US scanning rules

Shippers at the recent Air Transport Council of the ESC (European Shippers Council) voiced their concern and uncertainty over the implications of the US requirements for 100% scanning of air freight bound for the USA. The rule being introduced in the coming year is unclear to most shippers. Read more

29 November 2007
Shippers don't trust carriers to provide accurate data

Most shippers entering into rate negotiations with shipping lines would not trust a price index created from data supplied by the lines themselves. Read more

29 November 2007
Bulk Carriers accused of double standards

Carriers expect compensation (in the form of demurrage charges) from the shipper when the vessel is delayed from unloading the cargo in the port of discharge, but refuses to compensate the shipper when arriving late to load the cargo. Shippers are understandably complaining about such double standards. Read more

27 November 2007
Replace surcharges with all-in rates

As European shippers question aviation fuel surcharges and UK port congestion surcharges, a new blog on this website challenges the freight industry to end the system of surcharges and replace them with all-in rates. Read more

23 November 2007
Guidelines required to change the culture of liner shipping

The Global Shippers’ Forum believe the Guidelines are essential in order to “work changes deep in the very culture of the industry if the full benefits of competition are to be achieved". Read more

23 November 2007
World trade relies on Information Exchange for carriers

The European Liner Affairs Association (ELAA) has made an impassioned plea for acceptance of its proposed system of information exchange, claiming world trade relies on it. Read more

23 November 2007
Freight forwarders reject liner shipping information plans

The European organisation representing the freight forwarding sector, CLECAT, has submitted a stinging attack on the proposals for a system of information exchange put forward by the liner shipping industry. Read more

22 November 2007
Change the text of competition guidelines for shipping or risk court action, warns European shippers’ body

Today the European Shippers’ Council (ESC), representing the freight interests of some 100,000 European businesses warned the Commission that it should make some “subtle amendments” to the Guidelines for the liner shipping sector “or else it risks sending the carriers off on a course of exchanging information that is likely to be challenged in the European courts”. Read more

21 November 2007
UK Port surcharge attacked by freight forwarders

Following on from the opposition voiced by the British Shippers’ Council (FTA) and the European Shippers’ Council, freight forwarders in the UK have joined in the attack on the FEFC UK port surcharge. Read more

20 November 2007
Shippers object to the objectives of carrier information exchange proposals

In a recent opinion piece by The Shippers' Voice own Andrew Traill, explained why it is that shippers and their representatives have such a problem accepting the carriers’ proposals for a system of information exchange. Dr Traill explained it was just a matter of objectives. Read more

19 November 2007
ESC adds voice of concern to UK port congestion charges

ESC, the European body representing shippers, has voiced its concern over the use of a port congestion surcharge. Read more

14 November 2007
Rail industry should worry about its own performance not that of others.

The European Shippers’ Council is greatly concerned by the rail freight lobby which seems to spend much of its time trying to prevent road freight services from being successful and innovative. Andrew Traill, Policy Advisor to the European Shippers' Council, will be presenting his views on where the rail industry should instead be focussing their attention in order to attract customers. Read more

13 November 2007
Critics blast British shippers for not talking to FEFC over congestion surcharge

Following a press release issued last week (9th November) by the Freight Transport Association (FTA) ‘condemning’ the introduction of a UK port congestion surcharge by Far Eastern Freight Conference (FEFC), critics ask why the British Shippers’ Council will not talk to the FEFC about the surcharge. Read more

12 November 2007
UK aviation emissions tax on air freight

A shipper (anon) on The Shippers’ Voice ‘Blogs & Forums’ page has alerted registered users to the prospect of a new tax on air freight. Read more

06 November 2007
US shippers’ group supports FMC rule change for OTIS

The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) published a final rule this week which would require an applicant for an ocean transportation intermediary (OTI) license to provide valid proof of financial responsibility within 120 days of the issuance of a license by the agency. Read more

06 November 2007
New Ocean Liability Pact Proceeds – Significant for US Interests

The United Nation’s working group on developing a new international convention on ocean cargo liability just concluded a two week session in Vienna, Austria this week. US shippers' League believes this will be especially significant for US freight interests. Read more

31 October 2007
Shippers fear air cargo delays at Hong Kong with US security requirements

The Chairman of the Hong Kong Shippers' Council fears that the 100% scanning of air freight could cause significant delays and add considerably to the costs of air freight into and out of Hong Kong. Read more

31 October 2007
European Safety Agency concerned over increased maritime accidents

Speaking at the European Shippers’ Council ‘Shipper Forum 2007’ gala dinner recently, Willem de Ruiter, who heads up the EU’s Maritime Safety Agency suggested he believed human error was the principal cause for an increase in maritime incidents. Read more

31 October 2007
Shippers to be questioned by the European Commission competition authority

The European Commission are looking for more detailed reasons why shippers remain concerned over carrier proposals for an information exchange, and whether they see consortia and alliances has beneficial or harmful. Read more

31 October 2007
How to combat expected price volatility

Price volatility in the liner shipping sector could emulate those that have been witnessed in the bulk shipping sector, but shippers speaking at the recent European Shipper Forum in Lisbon suggest much can be gained from longer term strategies and supply chain visibility. Read more

29 October 2007
Carriers, and shippers unite in call for dialogue but not sharing of risk

A line of distinguished representatives of liner shipping, port and terminal operators and shippers all emphasised how critical dialogue and partnership would be between them all. From the CEO of Maersk Container Business, to the Director of Logistics for Heineken and other shippers from leading manufacturing companies such as Masterfoods, Kingfisher Group, SECIL (cement) and Heinz – all were as one at a recent conference held in Lisbon, Portugal, in their call for more constructive dialogue to find better, new solutions to the transport of freight. Read more

18 October 2007
A Plan of Action: EC puts the user at the heart of its freight logistics agenda.

The tranche of communications issued today by the European Commission contains recommended actions in many areas that the European Shippers' Council has been campaigning and lobbying for since 2001: simplified customs, rail freight priority on the rail network, development of generic KPIs to benchmark service performance for all modes, being just three examples. Read more

17 October 2007
Action to improve the service levels of short-sea shipping

The European Commission plans to examine regulatory and administrative changes that would remove many of the customs clearance requirements for freight moving by sea within the EU. Read more

17 October 2007
Shippers question DBs public status and call to end road cabotage restrictions in Europe

ESC’s Secretary General, Nicolette van der Jagt, in a speech to Norwegian shippers and logistics companies, called for greater competition in the European road and rail freight sector and an end to cabotage restrictions in European road freight. Read more

17 October 2007
Liability is up for negotiation

A UN meeting on the draft convention on cargo liability is taking place in Vienna over the coming two weeks. Representatives for the European Shippers’ Council and the National Industrial Transportation League will be taking part and seeking to ensure shippers’ rights and interests are protected. Read more

12 October 2007
China shippers to fight collective liner shipping agreements

The China Shippers Association (CSA) will be looking to work with the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Communication to get the regulation on collective agreements abolished, according to Cai Jiaxiang, vice president of the China Shippers Association. Read more

11 October 2007
Drinks industry raise alarm over organised crime in South Africa

In recent months several Scotch whisky producers and other high value commodity shippers, have suffered losses of goods from containers in South Africa. Their industry security group has issued warnings to others to be on their guard. Read more

08 October 2007
New US security rulemaking imminent

Shippers’ Councils have been alerted by the US National Industrial Transportation League to expect very shortly the so-called ‘10 + 2 Advance Trade Data Initiative’ to be issued by the US Customs Border Protection Agency (CBP) as a new proposed rulemaking. Read more

05 October 2007
The Netherlands to introduce longer and heavier road freight vehicles

EVO, the Dutch Shippers’ organization and the European Shippers’ Council (ESC) believe eco-combi’s (road freight combinations) up to 50 tonnes will be permitted on roads in The Netherlands; but are disappointed that 60 tonne vehicles are not allowed. Read more

04 October 2007
Launch of a New Voice for Shippers

Shippers the world over have been given a new avenue to communicate with each other, and everyone else interested in the supply chain, with the launch of http://www.shippersvoice.com Read more

25 September 2007
Mick Barr, former chairman of US shippers' group passes away

Mick Barr, a leading member and former chairman of the US National Industrial Transportation League (NITL) and senior executive within Procter & Gamble, died suddenly, aged 57, on 8th September, 2007. Read more

18 September 2007
Global Shippers’ Forum Statement in Support of Competitive Shipping Reforms in Asia

At its annual meeting, held in Singapore, 16-18 September 2007, the GSF encouraged Asian countries to examine their own shipping laws and regulations now, with the aim of making them compatible with other regions of the world. Read more

18 September 2007
European Shippers' Council issues positive preliminary comments on EC Line Shipping Competition Guidelines

European Commission issues draft guidelines for the liner shipping industry that prevent carriers exchanging information that could be used to manipulate the market, according to the European Shippers' Council. Read more

17 September 2007
European Commission launch consultation on guidelines for liner shipping

The European Commission has officially launched (13th September, 2007) their long awaited consultation on competition guidelines for the liner shipping industry in a post-conference environment. The European Commission has produced draft 'guidelines' to explain in general terms when and where the exchange of information about capacity, volume, prices and costs - historic and forecast - might be considered acceptable, or where it may breach competition laws and rules. Consultation on the guidelines will last for eight weeks. Read more

05 September 2007
US Shippers support FMC over licence requirements for intermediaries

The National Industrial Transportation League told the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) this week that it supports the agency’s proposed rulemaking to reduce the amount of time for an ocean transportation intermediary (OTI) license applicant to provide the required proof of financial responsibility. The FMC is proposing to reduce the time required for filing proof of responsibility from two years after the application approval to 120 days. Read more

29 August 2007
Air freight group say no to 100 per cent cargo screening

An international group of air freight industry stakeholders opposes the 100% inspection of cargo, where "inspection" requires physical or technical examination of each and every consignment. Read more

21 August 2007
Shippers warn European Commission not to copy US security Act

The European Shippers' Council sent a letter to European Commissioner Kovacs supporting his opposition to the US proposals for 100 per cent screening of containers, but urging the Commission not to respond in kind with any similar proposals for US exports destined for the European Union. Read more

09 August 2007
Shippers Raise World Trade concerns over U.S. law for 100% scanning of containers

A grouping of shippers' representatives, which forms the Global Shippers' Forum', has presented a united shippers' opposition to the unilateral action of the USA to require all containers to be scanned before leaving for the US. Read more

19 July 2007
FTA welcomes interim Ports Policy Review - but inland connections funding still to be addressed.

The Freight Transport Association welcomes the publication today of the Department for Transport’s Interim Ports Policy Review paper, and supports its contents. Read more

07 June 2007
ESC attacks Parliamentary vote which opposed longer road freight vehicles

ESC condemns the opinion voted in the Transport Committee of the European Parliament earlier this week to oppose the use of longer trucks on Europe’s roads as being short-sighted and harmful to Europe’s economic interests. Read more

24 May 2007
Shippers face challenge in final round of negotiations in New York on draft liability convention

Shippers have been involved in the development of a new international convention on the liability of carriers and shippers in the door-to-door shipment of freight which better reflected the changing dynamics of global trade and electronic documents. Read more

18 May 2007
NITL writes to Congress over security proposals

The National Industrial Transportation League (NITL) have linked up with other air freight stakeholders warning Congress over new security proposals. Read more

15 May 2007
ESC attacks 100% screening of US-bound freight proproposed by US House of Representatives

In a letter to the influential US Senator, Joseph I. Lieberman, closely engaged in US security legislation as chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, the ESC raised concerns over the prospect of Capitol Hill accepting congress’ proposals for all freight entering the US to be screened before dispatch. Read more

01 May 2007
Asian shippers unite against anti-trust privileges

The Asian Shippers’ Council (ASC) fully concurs with the European Commission (EC) over its assessment of the latest European Liner Affairs Association (ELAA) proposal to replace the conference with a system of information exchange. Read more

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