NAAA, UNITED FORWARDERS TO MERGE

   The United Forwarders of Rotterdam (Unifor), a Dutch shippers’ association of non-vessel-operating common carriers, and the Washington-based North Atlantic Alliance Association have said they will merge by the end of the month.
   "The merger of Unifor with NAAA results in the first true transcontinental NVOCC shippers’ assocation," said Joseph T. Saggese, executive managing director of the NAAA.
   The 22 NVO members of Unifor will be combined with more than 40 NVO
members of the NAAA. "The Unifor-NAAA merger is a step in the right
direction for all members," Saggese said.
   The NAAA was started seven years ago as a way for NVOs to combine their freight volumes to achieve lower rates and better service commitments from ocean carriers. The group has worked with Unifor for about four years.