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“Our goal is to continue the successful conversation begun earlier this year on matters of mutual interest to shippers and carriers, and to broaden the discussion to more customers of all sizes and types, from across the U.S.,” said TSA chairman Ronald D. Widdows. Widdows indicated that an expanded list of invitees to the upcoming meetings includes attendees from the Long Beach session to maintain continuity; customers who had expressed interest in the first meeting but either had not received an invitation or were not able to attend; and a representative sampling of new shippers and transportation intermediaries. TSA’s executive committee of carrier chief executives has set tentative agendas for the June meetings based largely on shipper feedback from the March meeting. A brief introductory presentation and general discussion, followed breakout sessions, is expected to focus on a range of topics ranging from fuel costs and bunker surcharges, to overall operating cost issues, to infrastructure and congestion concerns, to the service contract cycle and the contracting process itself. “We’re pleased with the degree of interest that has been expressed concerning these meetings,” Widdows said. “We’re mindful of the feedback coming out of Long Beach in favor of smaller, focused groups, but we also recognize the need to broaden participation as much as possible and will work with shippers to achieve the right balance as we go forward.” TSA is a research and discussion forum of major container shipping lines serving the trade from Asia to ports and inland points in the U.S. l Members include: Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (K Line) Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. Nippon Yusen Kaisha (N.Y.K. Line) Orient Overseas Container Line, Inc. Yangming Marine Transport Corp. |
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