WSC gets IMO consultative status

WSC gets IMO consultative status

Widdows

   The International Maritime Organization has granted the World Shipping Council consultative status, the council said Wednesday.
   'Consultative status for the World Shipping Council at the IMO provides the liner shipping industry a direct voice at the IMO of a series of critical issues, including vessel emissions, climate, security and other matters that will shape the operating landscape of the industry for years to come,' said Ron Widdows, chairman of the WSC board of directors and of NOL, parent of Singapore-based ocean carrier APL. 'The council has developed a strong staff and expertise on many regulatory issues, and we look forward to engaging at the IMO on the liner shipping industry's behalf.'
   The decision taken last week by the IMO council is subject to final review and approval by the IMO Assembly in November, but the WSC will begin participation in the organization with this week's session of IMO's Marine Environment Protection Committee.

Koch

   'WSC and its member companies have for nearly a decade been engaged and committed to sound environmental, security and regulatory policy development,' said Chris Koch, WSC's president and chief executive officer. 'With its consultative status at the IMO, the council intends to be a voice of support for the IMO's development of effective international regulatory regimes for international shipping.'
   The council was formed in 2000 to provide a coordinated voice for the liner shipping industry in its work with public policymakers and other industry groups with an interest in international transportation. Its 29 member companies operate about 90 percent of the liner shipping fleet, which includes container vessels and roll-on/roll-off vessels operating on fixed schedules.