?Tide is turning? says Singapore shippers? chief

ôTide is turningö says Singapore shippersÆ chief The head of the Singapore National Shippers' Council said Friday at the organization's general meeting that progress is being made in galvanizing global shippers against carrier antitrust immunity and excessive terminal handling charges.
   'The tide is beginning to turn in the shippers' favor,' said SNSC Chairman John Lu at the meeting. 'The European Commission's repeal of antitrust immunity for liner conferences effective October 2008 promises to herald in a new era for the liner industry. Together with other shippers' councils, we endeavor to work to bring about this change in Asia. We have seen positive developments in our battle against the terminal handling charges. China has declared that the steep THC increases proposed for South China violate its decree while Indonesia has forced through a THC reduction.'
   Lu is also chairman of the Asian Shippers' Council.