COA Newsletter 10 – January 2006

(Edited Version of the COA Members January 2006 Newsletter)

 

  1. Updated Website
  2. Website: Password
  3. Website: New Features
  4. Working Group – Programme, Participants and Management
  5. AQIS/CSIRO Flooring Status: Progress
  6. Bamboo Treatment Approval
  7. Future Members Meetings
  8. New Members
  9. Further information/contributions

 

 

  1. Updated Website

 

As visitors to the COA website (www.containerownersassociation.org) will have noticed, it has now been re-designed and updated. The aim of the website is to be informative, topical and easy-to-use. Comments and suggestions for improvements and additions are always welcome – send to secretary@containerownersassociation.org

 

 

  1. Password

 

The COA website is intended to inform both members and non-members about the COA’s current activities and future plans. However, certain information is intended for members only – specifically:

 

-         COA Reports and Recommendations

-         WG Information, Contact Details and WG Participants

-         Members’ Newsletters

-         Presentations made at COA Members Meetings.

 

  1. New Features

 

Apart from the password-protected information, the website now includes a section for companies with positions available, as well as for individuals who are seeking employment opportunities. Companies and individuals wishing to post information in this section should send the text to: secretary@containerownersassociation.org.

 

In addition, the photo gallery has now been updated and a discussion forum will also be introduced shortly.

 

  1. Working Group – Programme, Participants and Management

 

A detailed report of the progress made by the COA’s Working Groups during 2005 - and WG plans for 2006 - was published in the December 2005 newsletter.

 

2006 Programme

Each of the WGs is now finalising its programme of work for the coming year, with a remit to research and investigate specific issues of relevance to COA Members. Information about the WGs and their 2006 projects will be distributed to Members in a “WG Schedule” document in early February.

 

WG System/Management

For those Members who are not sure about how WGs are set up and organised, a WG Management Document has been posted on the Website.

 

 

  1. AQIS/CSIRO Container Flooring Surveillance - progress

 

As reported in the December 2005 newsletter, Jim Creffield, of the Australian Government organisation CSIRO, informed delegates at the Shanghai Members Meeting in December about the surveillance study - initiated by AQIS and CSIRO on 1 January 2005 – to study exposed timber components in shipping containers. The reason for the study is that some evidence suggests that timber components of some containers are not treated in accordance with AQIS requirements

 

The study will determine the presence and concentration (retention) of chemical preservatives and insecticides in the exposed timber components of containers, initially focusing on plywood flooring. There is no cost to container owners and AQIS will notify owners where containers are found to be non-compliant.

 

 

  1. Bamboo Treatment Approval

 

In the meantime, the situation with regard to AQIS approval of bamboo/pine floors has now been clarified.

 

Although bamboo is not a “true” wood, AQIS has confirmed that it considers that bamboo plys (as container flooring) which have been treated by AQIS approved glue line treatments to have been “effectively immunised”. AQIS explains that this is because the groups of species of quarantine concern that can use this pathway are similar to those of plywoods manufactured from timber; and that these treatments, such as Meganium, will offer the same protection. However, this does not apply to non glue line treatments.

 

AQIS will be updating its documents to reflect this and to make the position clearer

 

 

  1. Future Meetings

 

Initial planning for the COA Members Meetings in 2006 is now underway. Two Members Meetings are scheduled, with provisional dates as follows:

 

- Members Meeting, Europe:      Antwerp - Tuesday 6th/Wednesday 7th June 2006

- Members Meeting, Asia:           Singapore - Monday 6th/Tuesday 7th November 2006

 

 

  1. New Members

 

The COA is pleased to extend a warm welcome to three new members, who have joined since the beginning of the year:

 

-        Florens Container Services (www.florens.com)

-        Amficon (www.amficon.com)

-        Cohopa GmbH (www.cohopa.com)

 

 

  1. Further Information & Contributions

 

 

For further information about any items in this newsletter, or if you have information for the next issue (February 2006), please contact Patrick Hicks – secretary@containerownersassociation.org