[230315.EN.SEA] New World Shippers Group Forms to Rival Global Shippers Forum

THE new Global Shippers Alliance has been formed when the American Association of Exporters and Importers joined with Asian and European shipper groups to rival the Global Shippers Forum (GSF), which is suspected of favouring state concerns over those of shippers.

Incorporated in June 2011, the GSF is outgrowth of the Tripartite Shippers' Group (TSG), of which the European Shippers Council (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".

But the GSF works closely with United Nations agencies. 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."

But the ESC did not join the GSF and the Asian Shippers' Council (ASC) left the group, after disagreement about representation and membership fees in the global group.

Source : HKSG.