Asian and European shippers mull joint lobbying efforts in Jakarta

THE Asian Shippers Council and the European Shippers Council at a recent joint meeting in Jakarta agreed to co-operate on programmes related to education and training as well as possible joint lobbying efforts.

Delegates also agreed to explore additional approaches to the relationship between shippers and carriers, based on mutual understanding and discussed economic development opportunities and challenges facing the industry in the current global trade environment.

Sponsored by the Indonesian National Shippers Council, the meeting was attended, by representatives from the European, Hong Kong, Korean, Thai and Macao shippers councils.

Among topics discussed were regional and global market outlooks, freight market trends, surcharge proliferation, regulatory changes, cargo security regimes, green logistics as well as the Container Liner Shipping Award, the Freight Index, free trade accords, trade facilitation initiatives and individual shippers council activity reports.

Budi Santoso, logistics secretary of Indonesia's Ministry of Coordination for Economics, opened the meeting, followed by presentations from the Ministry of Quarantinem and talks from customs and the Indonesian Port Company officials.

It was agreed that a further joint meeting would be held in June in Brussels to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the European Shippers Council.