Newsletter 1 – April 2005

 

The COA will be publishing a regular Newsletter, updating both Members and non-Members with Association developments, progress, strategy and future plans.

 

Contributions and comments from readers are welcome – please send them to: secretary@containerownersassociation.org.

 

This first Newsletter covers:

 

  1. Working Groups: General
  2. Existing Working Groups: Progress, status and plans
  3. New Working Group announced: Improper Repairs
  4. Co-operation with international organisations
  5. New Members
  6. Members Meetings: Amsterdam (June) and Shanghai (November)

 

 

  1. Working Groups: General

 

When the COA was launched in Copenhagen on 1 November 2004, five Working Groups were presented. WG leaders are Full Members of the COA, but all members are invited to participate in WGs which are relevant to their activities. If you would like further information about participating in an existing WG, or launching a new one, please email: secretary@containerownersassociation.org.

 

The aim of a COA’s WG is to investigate an issue of common industry interest and to prepare a COA-approved document, enabling

 

 

  1. Working Groups: Progress, status and plans

 

There are presently five WGs:

 

- Standard Specifications

- Quality Management

- New Materials

- Equipment Interchange

- Inspection Standards

 

- Standard specifications (WG leader: Steffen Jacobsen, Maersk Sealand)

 

This WG is preparing a Standard Container Specification. The drawings are now ready and a final document is being prepared by end-April. A Leasing Company version is also planned, but shipping lines will need to endorse a Leasing Company Standard Specification.

 

- Equipment interchange (WG leader: Jim Miller, UASC)

 

The COA Interchange WG has reviewed, approved and endorsed BIMCO’s BOXCHANGE Container Interchange Agreement. Sample copies of BOXCHANGE with accompanying Explanatory Notes are available from BIMCO's web site in PDF format by clicking here: BIMCO Interchange. BIMCO has accepted the COA endorsement and has given permission to include a hyperlink from the COA web-page to BOXCHANGE and other container related documentation.

 

The WG has established a colour coded surplus/deficit chart that has been circulated amongst the the WG containing information from those organisations willing to share this info (OPDR & UASC only). Presently this document is distributed at the month-start and mid-month position.

 

- Quality Management (WG leader: Bill Brassington, GE SeaCo)

 

Code of Acceptance - A WG meeting is taking place on 11 April. Maersk Sealand has offered its Code of Acceptance (CoA) as a starting point. The CoA has been produced by Maersk Sealand and signed off by major container manufacturers.

 

Standard Audit Practices – Two versions are available, one from Maersk Sealand and one from GE SeaCo. These will both be discussed at the meeting.

 

The aim is to have a QM document ready by end-May

 

- New Materials (WG leader: Marc Weidemann, Capital Lease)

 

At present, the WG is investigating Flooring Systems for containers. It is also planned to start work on Waterborne Paints for containers

 

Flooring

 

This WG is initially focusing on flooring materials. The WG met on 23 March. Information on different types of flooring materials has been collected (bamboo, composite, etc).

 

Stage 1 will be to compare these new systems with existing types and operation. It is not intended for this WG to give a recommendation, but the plan is to give out a review of what is available in the market. The aim is to prepare the Stage 1 document and have it ready to announce by June, in time for the Members Meeting.

 

Stage 2 will be a possible investigation of new ideas and to pass these on to new flooring manufacturers to develop new products with the right price, strength, etc.

 

 

Waterborne paints

 

It was agreed that a second area for this WG would be waterborne paints, and that this subject will be launched at the Amsterdam meeting. Members interested in participating in this WG should contact: secretariat@containerownersassociation.org

 

- Inspection standards

 

The COA has endorsed the UCIRC and it was felt that this WG could not achieve much further at this stage. It will be kept in existence, but dormant.

 

 

 

 

  1. New Working Group : Improper Repairs

 

The COA Board of Directors has identified Improper Repairs is as a relevant and strategic issue for the COA to consider. Members interested in participating in this WG should contact: secretariat@containerownersassociation.org

 

A WG and report on the subject of Improper Repairs would bring substantial benefits to all aspects of the industry, and would be relevant to all sectors, including surveyors. Depots need this, as a guideline to their work. A document needs to be prepared to be presented to the industry.

 

This WG will be launched at the June Members Meeting.

 

 

  1. Co-operation with other Organisations

 

Considerable progress has been undertaken by the Chairman in meeting and establishing working relationships with key industry associations. Discussions have taken place with IICL and the World Shipping Council, and meetings took place in March with the International Chamber of Shipping and BIC. The COA has been invited to attend the TC 104 meeting in May as an observer.

 

 

  1. Membership

 

The COA now has 36 members. A full list can be found on the COA website. Full Membership is open to all owners of freight containers whose primary business is container operation and leasing. Associate Membership is open to other companies and individuals related to the container industry. Group Membership is open to other organisations representing groups of individuals or companies related to the container industry.

A Membership Form can be downloaded from the COA website.

 

If you have not already joined the COA, please consider the following:

 

The Container Owners Association was established as an international organisation which will represent the common interests of all owners of freight containers.

The principle aims of the COA are to provide global expertise, to promote common standards and to facilitate international lobbying. The Association is also intended to enhance co-operation between its members and other associated industry bodies in a number of fields.

 

This Association is aimed at benefiting companies throughout the container industry. We would strongly encourage your company to join, and participate in Working Groups and Members Meetings.

 

 

  1. Members Meetings – Amsterdam and Shanghai

 

Two Members Meeting are presently being organised in 2005 – Amsterdam in June, and Shanghai in November.

 

Amsterdam - further details regarding the venue, registration and speakers will follow in the next few weeks. But in the meantime, the Provisional Programme is as follows

 

 

COA Amsterdam Members Meeting - Tuesday 21 & Wednesday 22 June

 

Day 1 - Tuesday 21 June

 

14:00    Welcome

      Introduction and overview on COA objectives, strategy, members, funding

 

15:00    Short break

 

15:15    Session 1: Working Groups

      Status and progress report (4 x presentations)

 

17:00    Refreshment break

 

17:30    Session 2: New Materials Working Group

Presentation on Waterborne Paints

 

18:00    Cocktail reception

 

Day 2 – Wednesday 22 June

 

09:00    Session 3: Common Industry Challenges – New Working Groups

 

1. Improper Repair Working Group

                 

- Opening presentation: need to eliminate grey areas and for guidelines

- Surveyor View

      - Depot View

      - Discussion

 

      2. Other new WGs

 

11:00    Break

 

11:30    Session 4: International co-operation

Discussion about co-operation and work carried out with ISO, IMO, etc

 

12:00    Session 5: Meeting Conclusion and Feedback

 

12:30    Lunch

 

Please note: Only COA Members (Full, Associate and Group) and invited observer organisations may attend the COA members meetings. The fee for the Amsterdam meeting is expected to be €100 - €150.

 

 

Shanghai Meeting – Thursday 17 & Friday 18 November

 

The Asian COA Members Meeting will take place in Shanghai and is scheduled to take place alongside the Yangtze Summit, a high-profile international event being hosted by the Chinese Ministry of Communications, and being organised in conjunction with Dutch Ministry of Transport & Water Navigation, focusing on container shipping developments on the Yangtze and through the port of Shanghai. This event is taking place at the prestigious Shanghai International Convention Centre from 16-18 November 2005. This event already has major support from leading shipping lines and other transport organisations.

 

The Yangtze Summit conference takes place on 16/17 November, with a day for Technical Site Visits (Shanghai Port, etc) on 18 November. COA members who wish to attend Day 1 of the Summit on 16 November could do so, with the COA meeting starting on Thursday 17 November.

 

 

 

Contributions and Suggestions

 

Please forward this newsletter to any company colleagues or industry colleagues who you think will be interested in COA activities.

 

If you have any suggestions regarding the Container Owners Association, or if you would like to contribute news or comments to this Newsletter, please contact:

 

Patrick Hicks

COA Secretariat

 

Tel: +44 (0)20 8398 9048

Fax: +44 (0)870 762 0434

Mobile: +44 (0)7770 636613

Email: secretary@containerownersassociation.org

Web: www.containerownersassociation.org