Container Owners Association

 

Newsletter 2 – May 2005

 

This is the 2nd COA 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. Amsterdam Members Meeting – 21/22 June 2005
  2. Working Group Progress
  3. Membership Development

 

  1. Amsterdam Members Meeting – 21/22 June 2005

 

The first COA members meeting will take place in Amsterdam, on 21/22 June, at the NH Amsterdam Centre Hotel. Full conference information can be found on the COA website (www.containerownersassociation.org). On-line registration is also available.

 

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

 

The first registrations have already been received, and we look forward to as many members attending as possible.

 

  1. Working Groups: Progress, status and plans

 

COA Working Groups are set up to investigate an issue 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. If you would like further information about participating in an existing WG, or launching a new one, please email the Secretariat.

 

There are presently five WGs:

 

- New Materials

- Standard Specifications

- Quality Management

- Equipment Interchange

- Inspection Standards

 

A full update appeared in the April newsletter. Further progress is reported below:

 

- New Materials

 

A comprehensive review and comparison of new and existing floor board materials will be published imminently.

 

- Standard Dry Container Specifications

 

A finalised specification will be ready for publication by May 20, 2005. This will represent a typical ship owner specification. Leasing company members will subsequently review and re-draft to provide a similar standard specification for use by leasing companies.

 

- Quality Management

 

A member has offered a standard Code of Acceptance for dry containers. This is now being reviewed by the other members of the Group and possible alterations will be made during May and June. The aim is 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 was presented by several members and these are now being tested and reviewed. A standard process for inspection at reefer container factories was similarly offered by a member and the other members are currently reviewing this documentation.

 

- Standardization of interchange agreements

 

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

 

- Inspection Criteria

 

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. 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 contributing to this topic should contact: secretariat@containerownersassociation.org

 

 

  1. Membership

 

At the time of the April newsletter, the COA membership stood at 36. This figure has now grown to 46. A full list can be found on the COA website. If you have not read or heard about the COA before, 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