Asian shippers attack compulsory box weigh-ins, 'reject' IMO scheme
THE Asian Shippers' Council (ASC) renewed its attack on the UN's International Maritime Organisation (IMO) over compulsory container weight verification partly because it is hard on shippers in emerging markets.
"There are millions of shippers across Asia, with different levels of maturity and different operational constraints. Cargoes have multiple modes of transport - trucks, ships and/or rail. Can you imagine trying to implement what is agreed at the IMO in such a challenging environment?" said ASC chairman John Lu.
"South America and Africa are in similar situations, and a one-size-fits-all requirement cannot work," said Mr Lu, according to Lloyd's List. "It has not worked for 100 per cent security screening and it will not work for 100 per cent verification of gross weight of containers."
Mr Lu, supported in this by the European Shipper Council, "rejected" the container weight verification scheme, touted as a "compromise" in that shippers would have a choice between two methods of compulsory weigh-ins.
Said China Shippers' Association vice-chairman Cai Jia Xiang: "We know that 100 per cent verification being considered would increase the cost burden for shippers, generate additional paperwork and cause unnecessary delays in the supply chain. Will it improve safety? We have strong doubts."
The only shipper organisation to fully back the IMO proposal is the British Global Shippers Forum (GSF), which took on the task of representing world shippers at the London IMO discussions.
Said GSF secretary-general Chris Welsh: "The GSF worked constructively with the IMO to help achieve this compromise and we welcome the fact that they listened to our concerns."
Incorporated in June 2011, the GSF is outgrowth of the Tripartite Shippers' Group (TSG), of which the ESC was once a member. Now GSF claims to be the "world's leading trade association for shippers engaged in international trade moving goods by all modes of transport".
The GSF works closely with United Nations agencies, In fact its website concedes: "The decision to incorporate was taken to enable the GSF to establish formal recognition, consultation status and accreditation with the major UN agencies such as the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the World Customs Organisation."
The British International Freight Association (BIFA) said it is not opposed to compulsory weigh-ins, but is relieved that they will not come into force until 2016 if they are not held up along the way.
THE Asian Shippers' Council (ASC) renewed its attack on the UN's International Maritime Organisation (IMO) over compulsory container weight verification partly because it is hard on shippers in emerging markets.
"There are millions of shippers across Asia, with different levels of maturity and different operational constraints. Cargoes have multiple modes of transport - trucks, ships and/or rail. Can you imagine trying to implement what is agreed at the IMO in such a challenging environment?" said ASC chairman John Lu.
"South America and Africa are in similar situations, and a one-size-fits-all requirement cannot work," said Mr Lu, according to Lloyd's List. "It has not worked for 100 per cent security screening and it will not work for 100 per cent verification of gross weight of containers."
Mr Lu, supported in this by the European Shipper Council, "rejected" the container weight verification scheme, touted as a "compromise" in that shippers would have a choice between two methods of compulsory weigh-ins.
Said China Shippers' Association vice-chairman Cai Jia Xiang: "We know that 100 per cent verification being considered would increase the cost burden for shippers, generate additional paperwork and cause unnecessary delays in the supply chain. Will it improve safety? We have strong doubts."
The only shipper organisation to fully back the IMO proposal is the British Global Shippers Forum (GSF), which took on the task of representing world shippers at the London IMO discussions.
Said GSF secretary-general Chris Welsh: "The GSF worked constructively with the IMO to help achieve this compromise and we welcome the fact that they listened to our concerns."
Incorporated in June 2011, the GSF is outgrowth of the Tripartite Shippers' Group (TSG), of which the ESC was once a member. Now GSF claims to be the "world's leading trade association for shippers engaged in international trade moving goods by all modes of transport".
The GSF works closely with United Nations agencies, In fact its website concedes: "The decision to incorporate was taken to enable the GSF to establish formal recognition, consultation status and accreditation with the major UN agencies such as the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the World Customs Organisation."
The British International Freight Association (BIFA) said it is not opposed to compulsory weigh-ins, but is relieved that they will not come into force until 2016 if they are not held up along the way.
