Press Room


News Archive

2012  |  2011  |  2010  |  2009  |  2008  |  2007  |  2006  |  2005  |  2004  |  2003  |  2002  | 

2012

  • January 09, 2012

    World Shipping Council Adds New Board Member

    At its December 2011 meeting in London, the World Shipping Council (WSC) board confirmed the election of Mr. Ng Yat Chung, Group President and CEO of NOL, to the WSC board of directors for a term that expires in September 2013. The election of Mr. Ng fills all eleven seats on the WSC Board. Other board members are: Mr. Philip Chow, Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL); Mr. Thomas Crowley, Jr., Crowley Maritime Corporation; Mr. Rafi Danieli, Zim Integrated Shipping Services; Mr. Morten Engelstof, Maersk Line; Dr. Ottmar Gast, Hamburg Sud; Mr. Y. M. Kim, Hanjin Shipping; Mr. Ulrich Kranich, Hapag-Lloyd AG; Mr. Kenji Mizushima, NYK Line; Mr. Wan Min, COSCO Container Lines; and, Mr. Ron Widdows, who will continue to serve as the WSC Board Chairman until September 2012.

    The World Shipping Council is an association of liner shipping companies with offices in Brussels and Washington, D.C. Its members transport over 90 percent of international containerized trade. The WSC's goal is to provide a coordinated voice for the liner shipping industry in its work with policymakers and other industry groups interested in international transportation issues.

    For more information about the World Shipping Council and the international liner shipping industry, visit www.worldshipping.org.

2011

  • December 12, 2011

    Carriers and Ports are United on Need to Weigh Containers.  Read the release.

  • September 28, 2011

     World Shippping Council Adds New Board Members and Keeps Widdows as Chairman

    At its membership meeting in Seoul last week, the World Shipping Council (WSC) membership elected Mr. Wan Min, Managing Director of COSCO Container Lines and Dr. Ottmar Gast, Chairman of the Executive Board of Hamburg Süd to two year terms on its Board of Directors, and re-elected to the Board Mr. Philip Chow of Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL), Mr. Morten Englestoft of Maersk Line and Mr. Ulrich Kranich of Hapag-Lloyd AG. 
     
    They join Mr. Thomas Crowley, Jr., Crowley Maritime Corporation; Mr. Rafi Danieli, Zim Integrated Shipping Services; Mr. Y.M. Kim, Hanjin Shipping; Mr. Kenji Mizushima, NYK Line; and Mr. Ron Widdows, NOL on the WSC Board.
     
    The WSC Membership also approved Mr. Widdows’ continuation as Chairman of the Board through September 2012, after he steps down from his current role as Group President and CEO of NOL later this year.
     
     
  • August 10, 2011

    World Shipping Council Releases First-Ever Survey on Containers Lost at Sea

    The liner shipping industry has been the subject of a number of unfavorable stories or reports that allege that the industry loses as many as 10,000 containers a year at sea. although most industry representatives recognized that this number was incorrect, there was no conclusive evidence to refute it  Accordingly, the World Shipping Council (WSC) conducted a survey of its members and concluded that indeed the estimated losses are far below the figures previously reported.  Read the summary of the analysis.

     

  • July 12, 2011

    The World Shipping Council together with the Government of Japan issued a paper entitled "Design and Implementation of the Vessel Efficiency Incentive Scheme (EIS)"  providing an explanation of how this innovative carbon emission reduction proposal would work, and why it offiers effciency, cost, and environmental advantages when compared to other proposals. The EIS is a further refinement of the previous proposal that was submitted by the World Shipping Council to the IMO in January 2010.

  • May 16, 2011

    Recognizing that questions arise from time to time about the adequacy of the supply of containers, the World Shipping Council undertook an evaluation of whether the expected global container fleet size is sufficient to handle the expected cargo demand.  The issue of sufficient container equipment availability arises in various contexts, but there are few overall analyses of what factors are most relevant to whether supply is constrained or ample.  A number of market forces affect the availability of containers, and their impacts are difficult to quantify and predict. Therefore, the World Shipping Council’s review seeks to evaluate each of those factors independently, utilizing multiple sources in order to draw some conclusions about the status of the aggregate supply compared to demand. Read more >>

2010

  • December 01, 2010

    The World Shipping Council (WSC) and the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) today urged the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to establilsh an international legal requirement that all loaded containers be weighed at the marine port facility before they are stowed aboard a vessel for export. (Read the press release.) In a joint statement just released, the WSC and ICS explain the problem with overweight containers, the efforts that have been undertaken to date to address the issue, and the reason that the industry is calling for a strong international solution to the problem at the IMO.

  • September 23, 2010

    The World Shipping Council urges comprehensive and transparent deliberation before passage of any law to amend the Shipping Act.  Read more. 

  • July 22, 2010

    The World Shipping Council met with U.S. shipper and forwarder representatives to inform them about upcoming changes to the EU customs documentation rules. Read more.

  • March 01, 2010

    Chris Koch is featured in Lloyd's List discussing the World Shipping Council's proposal for a vessel efficiency system. Read the article.

2009

  • November 04, 2009

    IMO debate on North American ECA is extremely important. Learn More

  • September 01, 2009

    Read a new report about liner shipping and carbon emissions policy. Learn more

  • May 01, 2009

    Update on piracy off the coast of Somalia. Read Update

  • February 28, 2009

    The National Maritime Security Advisory Council (NMSAC) issues recommendations to DHS on the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC). Read WSC's NMSAC Recommendations

2008

  • July 30, 2008

    New global photography competition raises awareness of container shipping. Learn More

  • July 03, 2008

    Container shipping lends a helping hand. Learn More

  • May 20, 2008

    Container Shipping Industry Celebrates European Maritime Day. Learn More

  • May 01, 2008

    The Council issues a statement on the impact of the rising cost of fuel. Learn More

2007

  • November 05, 2007

    The Council writes to Chairman Thompson of the House Homeland Security Committee about container security devices. Read WSC's Letter

  • October 01, 2007

    Council President Chris Koch submits a statement to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation regarding the progress of the SAFE Port Act. Read WSC's Statement

  • July 30, 2007

    The Council issues a statement regarding recent U.S. legislation that will require 100% container scanning overseas. Read WSC's Statement

2006

  • December 01, 2006

    WSC commends the Department of Homeland Security on Secure Freight Initiative. Read WSC's Statement

  • September 19, 2006

    Remarks of Christopher Koch, President and CEO of The World Shipping Council before the Maritime Security Expo in New York. Read WSC's Speech

  • July 26, 2006

    The World Shipping Council and its member companies issue comments related to the creation of the International Container Standards Organization (ICSO). Read WSC's Comments

  • July 20, 2006

    The Council joins 15 other industry association in expressing significant concerns about the current plans to implement recent changes to European Community Customs Code. Read the Joint Industry Statement

  • May 03, 2006

    The Secure Ports Coalition, of which the World Shipping Council is a member, sends a letter to every Member of Congress regarding the 100% Container Inspection proposals pending in Congress. Read WSC's letter

  • April 18, 2006

    April 18, 2006 - The Council wrote the Honorable Peter T. King, Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, regarding H.R. 4899, the "Sail Only if Scanned Act." Read WSC's Letter (link to WSC's King Letter).

  • April 18, 2006

    The Council submits comments to the European Commission (EC) regarding Annex 30A: Advanced Cargo Data Elements for Risk Assessment purposes of the EC's draft regulations designed to establish an enhanced cargo risk analysis capacity. Read WSC's Comments

  • April 04, 2006

    Christopher Koch testified before the House Committee on Homeland Security regarding H.R. 4954 "The SAFE Port Act." Read WSC's Testimony

  • March 30, 2006

    Christopher Koch testified before the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Read WSC's testimony

  • March 21, 2006

    The World Shipping Council and the U.S. Coast Guard partner in a new program to improve port security. Read WSC's testimony

  • March 01, 2006

    The World Shipping Council filed comments with the European Commission (EC) on its draft regulations to establish an enhanced cargo risk analysis capacity through a European “24 Hour Rule” and an Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program. The Council supports the strategy that requires the filing of shipment data 24 hours before vessel loading, a risk assessment of that cargo and a process that addresses any high-risk cargo concerns prior to vessel loading. We believe the interest of European commerce can be served by such a regime. Read WSC's testimony on 24 hour rule (link to WSC's comments on 24 hour rule). Read WSC's comments on AEO

  • February 28, 2006

    Christopher Koch testifies on maritime and port security before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Read WSC's Testimony

  • February 10, 2006

    World Shipping Council submits comments to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on proposed changes to rules governing the control of communicable diseases. Read WSC's Comments

2005

  • July 22, 2005

    Christopher Koch speaks to the Marine Trades Department of the AFL-CIO about port and maritime security. The speech covers progress made to date and describes a number of ongoing initiatives aimed at enhancing America's supply chain security. Read his Speech

  • May 17, 2005

    Council President Christopher Koch testifies before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation regarding Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) oversight. Read his Testimony

  • April 25, 2005

    The National Maritime Security Advisory Committee (NMSAC) Credentialing Work Group completed its recommendations on the TWIC process. Those recommendations were submitted to the Department of Homeland Security on May 6. Read the NMSAC TWIC Task Statement

  • April 15, 2005

    Christopher Koch updates attendees to the American Association of Port Authorities Annual Spring Conference on the state of the liner shipping industry and maritime security. Read his Speech

  • January 19, 2005

    Council President Christopher Koch is named to serve on two principal advisory committees dealing with security issues affecting the liner shipping industry. The first is the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) National Maritime Security Advisory Committee. The committee was established, at the direction of Congress, to provide advice to DHS, through the Coast Guard, on national maritime security and policy issues. Read more

    The second is the Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations of Customs and Border Protection (COAC) which reports jointly to DHS and the Treasury Department. The committee deals primarily with cargo movements and customs issues. These appointments provide the liner industry with important means of providing input to the U.S. Government on critical security issues.

2004

  • September 23, 2004

    The World Shipping Council, together with a wide array of other private sector interests, served on the Marine Transportation Security Act (MTSA) Subcommittee, which is an advisory committee tasked with developing recommendations to enhance international supply chain security. The Subcommittee’s analysis and recommendations were submitted to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and to the Committee on Commercial Operations of Customs and Border Protection (COAC).  Read the Subcommittee Report

  • August 03, 2004

    Christopher Koch explains liner industry issues and concerns to governments participating in the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI), which is a multilateral initiative launched by the United States and ten other countries in May 2003 to improve governments’ capabilities to address illegal trafficking of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Learn more about PSI Read Mr. Koch’s Comments

  • May 28, 2004

    The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) publishes "Container Transport Security across Modes," which urges governments to tighten inland security and emphasizes the primary role of shippers in securing the container transport chain at origin. Read the OECD Report

  • May 17, 2004

    The World Shipping Council comments to the U. S. State Department on the interim final rule eliminating the crew list visa system and requiring each seafarer to obtain an individual visa. Read the Council Comments

  • March 24, 2004

    Council President Christopher Koch testifies on "The State of Maritime Security" before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. Read his Testimony

  • March 09, 2004

    Christopher Koch updates attendees to the Journal of Commerce's 4th Annual Trans-Pacific Maritime Conference on maritime security initiatives. Read his Security Update  

  • February 17, 2004

    The Council responds to a request for information from Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) on secure container technology and proposes a framework for e-seals and other RFID technology. Read the Council Response

  • February 02, 2004

    The World Shipping Council, together with the National Industrial Transportation League (NITL), the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America (NCHFAA) and the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA), filed a joint petition to the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requesting that the shipper data element in the Trade Act final rules be amended. Read the Petition

    In response, CBP announced that it would not enforce the shipper data element "indefinitely" and would continue to evaluate possible remedies.

2003

  • December 23, 2003

    <p>The Council files comments with the Food and Drug Administration regarding their Interim Final Rules on Prior Notice of Imported Food and Registration of Food Facilities. <a target="_blank" href="/pdf/fda_interim_rule_comments.pdf">Read  the Council Comments</a> <a target="_blank" href="/pdf/fda_interim_rule_comments.pdf"></a></p>
     

  • December 15, 2003

    The U.S. Coast Guard announces development of a new filing system - eNOA - through which commercial vessels can provide their Notices of Arrival via a web interface or a formatted email attachment. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) Advanced Passenger Information Systems (APIS) final rule required ocean carriers to use eNOA, effective June 6, 2005.

  • December 01, 2003

    Christopher Koch, Council CEO, addresses an audience in Panama City at the Panama Canal Authority's "Conference on Maritime Security." Read his Speech

  • November 20, 2003

    World Shipping Council President Christopher Koch testifies before the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on "Financing Maritime and Port Infrastructure." Read his Testimony

  • September 09, 2003

    The World Shipping Council, in collaboration with the International Mass Retail Association (IMRA) and the National Industrial Transportation League (NITL) produced a paper that outlined the need for government to establish uniform, in-transit container security standards. (Note: IMRA became the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA). Read the Paper

  • August 22, 2003

    The Council submits comments to the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regarding the rules for Advance Electronic Filing of Cargo Information issued as a result of the Trade Act of 2002. Read the Council Comments

  • July 31, 2003

    In its comments to the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) on maritime security rules, the World Shipping Council strongly supported the U.S. Coast Guard's plan to align domestic security regulations with the framework of the ISPS Code, ensuring that vessels operating in domestic and international trades will be faced with one consistent set of maritime security requirements. Read the Council Comments

  • June 06, 2003

    The Council commends the work of Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which over the past year, more than doubled the number of import cargo containers inspected and did so without causing undue delays to commerce. Read the Council Statement

  • April 10, 2003

    Council President Christopher L. Koch speaks in London to attendees at Containerization International's 6th Annual Liner Shipping Conference and provides "A Prospective on United States Security Initiatives Affecting International Liner Shipping." Read his Speech

  • April 04, 2003

    The Council files comments with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding proposed rules for the prior notice of imported food. Read the Council Comments

2002

  • December 15, 2002

    The International Maritime Organization (IMO), led by a U.S. Coast Guard effort, completes negotiation and adoption of a new global comprehensive ship and port facility regime called the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, which went into effect on July 1, 2004. Read more about the IMO and ISPS

  • December 02, 2002

    The new "24 Hour Rule" becomes effective. It requires ocean carriers to provide complete manifest information for all cargo bound for the U.S. to Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) 24 hours prior to loading aboard a vessel in a foreign port.
    Read the 24 Hour Rule
    Read the Council Comments on the rule

  • November 25, 2002

    The Marine Transportation and Security Act of 2002 has passed both Houses of Congress and will soon be signed into law by the President. Read a Summary of the New Law

  • November 20, 2002

    The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) published possible project criteria for the selection of projects to be a part of the Operation Safe Commerce (OSC) program. Read the Council Comments on OSC

  • October 24, 2002

    The World Shipping Council makes a statement of support for the Customs Service's Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program. Read the Council Statement

  • October 15, 2002

    Christopher Koch speaks before the Norwegian Trade Council's Conference on "Changing Attitudes: Corporate Responsibility - Safety, Security and Environment" Read his Speech

  • August 15, 2002

    The Council provides comments to the U.S. Coast Guard regarding its proposed rules for Notification of Arrival in U.S. Ports. Read the Council Comments

  • July 01, 2002

    World Shipping Council President Chris Koch testifies on maritime security and international trade before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation in Seattle, Washington. Read his Testimony

  • June 10, 2002

    Christopher L. Koch submits a paper on maritime security to the Maritime Security Cargo Summit held in Antwerp, Belgium. Read the Paper

  • March 26, 2002

    Chris Koch speaks before the Institute for Foreign Policy Analysis and The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy's Conference on "Meeting the Homeland Security Challenge: Maritime and Other Critical Dimensions." Read his Remarks

  • March 13, 2002

    World Shipping Council President Chris Koch calls for a unified coordinated government strategy during testimony on container security given before the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation. Read his Testimony

  • February 19, 2002

    Council President Christopher Koch testifies in Charleston, S.C. on port and maritime security before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. Read his Testimony