Container association formed to cooperate on standards

Container association formed to cooperate on standards    Shipping lines, container lessors and other organizations involved in the operation of containers have formed a common association to cooperate on standards and other technical issues.
   Called “Container Owners Association,” the new London-based industry body held its inaugural meeting in Copenhagen Nov. 2, when it elected a board of directors. The association has formed five working groups dealing with quality management, equipment interchange, standard specification, inspection standards, and new materials.
   The Container Owners Association will also work with technical committees of the International Standards Organization.
   Traditionally, shipping lines and container leasing companies have belonged to separate associations specializing in their sectors, such as the World Shipping Council and the Institute of International Container Lessors. The formation of a single association representing both sectors was first discussed in March by shipping lines and container lessors.
   The association’s membership will comprise two types of members. Full members will be shipping lines, leasing companies and railroads whose main activity is owning and operating containers. Associate members will be container manufacturers and other companies who are active in the container business, as suppliers of container equipment and related services.
   More than 30 container operators and lessors attended the association's first meeting, and 15 companies have already applied to join.
   Its board of directors comprises five executives from Maersk Sealand, CMA CGM, United Arab Shipping Co., GE SeaCo and Capital Lease. For more information, contact: secretary@containerownersassociation.org    or go to www.containerownersassociation.org .