Newsletter 3 – June 2005

 

Welcome to the 3rd edition of the COA’s Newsletter, published to update 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 Newsletter covers:

 

  1. Membership Milestone
  2. Amsterdam Members Meeting – 21/22 June 2005
  3. Working Groups – Two New Reports Published
  4. New Working Group – Improper Repairs
  5. Participation at ISO Meeting
  6. General Membership Information

 

  1. Membership Milestone

 

On 27th May, just under 7 months after the COA was established, the Association welcomed its 50th member: reefer logistics specialists LauritzenCool Logistics AB, of Sweden.

 

  1. Amsterdam Members Meeting – 21/22 June 2005

 

Over 40 delegates have now registered for the COA’s first Members Meeting, which is taking place in Amsterdam, on 21/22 June, at the NH Amsterdam Centre Hotel. Full conference information, and on-line registration, can be found on the COA website (www.containerownersassociation.org).

 

Event Sponsors: The COA is pleased to announce that its Amsterdam meeting will be sponsored by two leading container industry companies:

 

 

Please note: COA Members meetings are open to all COA Members (Full, Associate and Group) and invited observer organisations. The registration fee for the meeting is €150.

 

 

  1. Working Groups: Two New Reports Published

 

 

COA Working Groups have been set up to investigate issues of common industry interest and to prepare a COA-approved document. WG leaders are Full Members of the COA, but all members are invited to participate in WGs which are relevant to their activities

 

During May, two of the COA’s Working Groups completed and published technical reports. These reports have now been distributed to Full Members of the Association.

 

- Standard Specifications WG

 

The Standard Specifications Working Group has published its: General Technical Container Specification for 20ft GP/40ft GP/ 40ft HC ISO Type Dry Cargo Steel Containers.

 

This Document represents a typical shipowner specification. Leasing company members will subsequently review and re-draft the Document to provide a similar standard specification for use by leasing companies.

 

- New Materials WG

 

Also published in May was the New Materials WG’s Report on Alternative Materials for Container Floorboards. This is a comprehensive review and comparison of new and existing floorboard materials, and provides extensive and valuable information for all container operators and leasing companies.

 

- Quality Management WG

 

A standard Code of Acceptance for dry containers is now being reviewed by members of the Quality Management WG. It is planned to have a COA Code of Acceptance ready by the time of the general meeting in Amsterdam June 21-22. A standard process for audit of depots is now being tested and reviewed. A standard process for inspection at reefer container factories is also currently being reviewed by WG members.

 

- Standardisation of interchange agreements WG

 

This work is now finalised with the amendment and adoption of a standard BIMCO document. A link to this document may be found on the COA website.

 

- Inspection Criteria WG

 

It has been agreed between the working group team leader and the COA Board of Directors that no material changes are required or suitable at this time. The working group may be revived at a later stage.

 

  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, where there will also be the opportunity to discuss other new WGs.

 

  1. ISO Meeting – London, May 2005

 

The Chairman of the COA attended the ISO/TC 104 plenary held in London on 12/13 May. Various resolutions were decided during this meeting, with the following resolutions of specific interest to COA members:

 

45ft containers

Resolution 288 – The committee adopts the report of the ISO TC 104/SC 1 Secretariat on 45ft containers contained in TC 104 Number 1024-4 and endorses the actions within SC 1 Resolutions N. 179-N.187. Basically the 45 ft container has now been accepted as an ISO standard container.

 

Furthermore under Resolution 296 – the TC 104 chair was requested to respond to the UN/ECE is report on the 45ft container in view of the negative comments they made on the impact this container will have on the European road network.

 

Reefer equipment

A standard had been proposed - and actually agreed under ISO 1496-2 - which meant that Residual Current Devices should be built into reefers with a set point of 30 milli amperes.

 

It occurred to some of the COA members, at a late stage, that this required changes, as it would result in prevalent trips on live reefers during defrost. During the TC104 meetings it was agreed to change the already accepted standard to a note with the wording "Some countries may require a Residual Current Device to be installed on the shore installation". The 30 milli amps are no longer mentioned.

 

  1. General Membership Information

 

COA membership categories are as follows:

 

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.

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.

 

 

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 COA, 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