SHIPPERS: CONFIDENTIALITY IMPORTANT; NOT ACHIEVABLE

   While 48 percent of U.S. shippers said that confidentiality of rates
allowed under the U.S. Ocean Shipping Reform Act is extremely important, only 29 percent believe it is achievable, according to a study commissioned by BDP International.
   Half of the shippers participating in the survey released Tuesday said
they would trade transit time for the lower cargo price, sacrificing a few
days on the water for a lower price.
   In the study, conducted by Abacus Custom Research Inc., nearly
two-thirds of shippers were reluctant to switch to a carrier based solely
on price.
   About 35 percent said non-vessel-operating common carriers were a viable alternative for ocean transportation.
   In terms of global contracts, the study said one-third of shippers
surveyed have such contracts in place already, while 20 percent felt they
would have global contracts within the next 12 months. One-third of the
shippers said they would not have global contracts in the future for any
reason.
   Abacus polled more than 1,000 shippers during July and August.