ELAA survey: Shippers back proposals for conference alternative

ELAA survey: Shippers back proposals for conference alternative    The European Liner Affairs Association said Monday that European shippers broadly support their proposals ( https://www.elaa.net/documents/RevisedELAAProposal.pdf ) for an alternative to the conference system, after the carrier lobby group conducted a survey to gauge reactions.
   In particular, the ELAA asked shippers their views on the areas of supply-side forecasting as well as lines discussing trade developments both with and without shipper consultation. In total, the ELAA received responses from 21 'major shippers.'
   'We are pleased that the majority of shippers who we surveyed were supportive of the fundamentals of our proposal,' said Chris Bourne, the ELAA's executive director. 'For example, 80 percent felt that carriers discussing trade developments, including supply of capacity and demand, would be helpful; 75 percent supported carriers publishing their own supply/demand forecasts; and all respondents welcomed the idea of a timely port-to-port volume database.'
   'Everyone surveyed, like the carriers, believe more consultation is crucial and that better data will improve liner shipping services in the future,' the ELAA said.