Friday, 19 September 2008 00:00
The Global Shippers' Forum (GSF) convened its 15th annual meeting this week in Montreal, Canada to discuss the needs and goals of freight shippers around the world. This week's gathering was the largest meeting in the group's history with over 40 delegates from over 20 countries representing every trade region across the globe. Since its founding (originally named the Tripartite Shippers' Group) in 1994, the GSF today represents shippers from North America, Africa, Oceania, Asia and Europe. The League is a founding member.
The GSF emphasized this year that shippers require advancement of policies that foster customized economic partnerships between liner carriers and their customers; effective and competitive security measures that will make shipping chains safer and less vulnerable to terrorism; surcharges and ancillary charges that are individually determined and representative of actual costs; and, adoption of programs that will enhance the environment without diminishing the efficiency and effectiveness of the transportation networks necessary to move international commerce.
In terms of maritime regulatory reform, the GSF affirmed that the European reforms of the liner block exemption would bring about needed changes in ocean transport, particularly in Asia. It added that while some regional differences may exist between some Asian countries, competition between suppliers, rather than collusion is the essential ingredient necessary for competitive and efficient relationships between liner carriers and customers.
From the U.S. perspective, GSF noted that it has been ten years since the Ocean Shipping Reform Act came into effect. Recognizing this fact, the world shipping group encouraged the U.S. to begin a comprehensive review of its national shipping laws to determine whether antitrust immunity for carriers continues to make economic sense. The GSF said liner carriers must not be permitted to set or fix rates, benchmarks, or service terms and/or surcharges.
As for supply chain security, GSF agreed that it must be multilayered and based on realistic threat assessments. Most importantly GSF noted that national security requirements must be mutually recognized among nations and must be compatible in nature. In response to the U.S.'s decision to mandate 100 percent screening of carriers, GSF said it rejects this approach on the basis that it is costly and questionable in its effectiveness.
On surcharges and ancillaries, GSF said it believed they should be transparent and based on public information. They should be temporary in nature and reflect only actual and unexpected costs incurred by suppliers.
As far as the importance of infrastructure investment, the GSF said increased government and industry attention must be focused on mandatory critical and vital programs necessary for supporting international supply chains. With regard to financing these programs, GSF said collection of taxes and user charges from industry must be applied and directed to the transportation purpose for which they are collected.
A new area under discussion were matters pertaining to the environment. GSF said shippers, carriers and governments need to take into greater consideration the impacts placed on the environment as a result of international commerce. It said substantive steps to protect the environment should be taken without compromising the efficiency of freight transport.
Another new area of concern for GSF is the proliferation in acts of piracy. It called upon international bodies and national governments to stem this practice which has been increasing at an alarming rate.
The members also discussed steps that would be made to improve the operational capabilities of its website: http://www.globalshippersforum.org/.
A joint declaration was adopted at the conclusion of the meeting and was signed by the: Asian Shippers' Council (ASC); Canadian Industrial Transportation Association (CITA); the European Shippers' Council; Japan Shippers' Council; and the League.
To view a copy of the joint declaration visit the GSF website at: http://www.globalshippersforum.org/
The next meeting of the GSF will be hosted by the European Shippers' Council.
