News

The continuing threat to shipping and cargo from acts of piracy

Created on Thursday, 09 February 2012

It is with grave concern that the European Shippers’ Council (ESC) views the continuing problem of piracy affecting cargo ships.

Representing shippers in Europe, many of whom use shipping to transport their cargo through the high risk areas, a year on from our last press statement on this issue, the ESC remains alarmed by the latest figures released by the ICC's International Maritime Bureau. Although figures show a decreasing number of piracy attacks, the damage done is still unacceptably high.

ESC's Chairman of the Maritime Transport Council, Jean-Louis Cambon, has said on the matter, "The ESC believes that the protection of shipping from piracy – regardless of flag, or the nationality of the crew – is a clear and legitimate responsibility for governments under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The European Shippers’ Council urges governments around the world to uphold their responsibilities in the enforcement of the Convention, protection of their flags, and to cooperate and assist together fully in protecting all merchant shipping in their territorial waters".

He concluded, "The impacts of piracy are not just on the seafarers; they are not just local; they are global."

See "The continuing threat to shipping and cargo from acts of piracy - A position paper' on the e-library for the full paper

ESC mourns the loss of Rail Freight Council Chairman following tragic accident

Created on Tuesday, 10 January 2012

It is with great sadness that ESC reports the tragic loss of Henk Schaafstal, the Chairman of ESC's Rail Freight Council.

Henk died last Friday, 6. January 2012, at the age of 54. He suffered a terrible accident on 3. November and sustained severe injuries from which he was unable to recover.

A senior Supply Chain engineer and Rail Coordinator within the Chemicals Supply Chain Management department, Henk had been working for DSM and SABIC for more than 27 years. He was also an enthusiastic and highly influential member of the Dutch Shippers' Council, EVO, and in recent years with ESC. Helping to steer many of the policies developed and pursued by the Council during the course of 2011 his influence and knowledge made him an obvious choice to chair the Rail Freight Council. members unanimously voted him to the position in September 2010, and he represented ESC in this capacity at a number of events through the following year up to his accident in November.

Next to his beloved wife and two daughters, of which he was particularly proud, Henk loved anything to do with trains and chopping down trees. His interest in matters rail extended from work to pleasure, with many hours spent building rail model tracks, and being an engine-driver on freight trains and for the ZLSM. His appointment as SABIC Rail Coordinator and the election "Railroader of the year 2010" by Rail Cargo Information Netherlands were the culmination of many years of his efforts to improve rail transportation. He had great belief in the future of rail freight and hoped to see opportunities for shippers realised through the influence of the ESC's policies in this field. His leadership, ideas and enthusiasm will be greatly missed by ESC, the members of the Rail Freight Council, and by those others in the industry who had the good fortune to meet and know Henk.

Our thoughts and sincere condolences are with his wife Lucienne and his daughters Erika and Laura at this very sad time.

Denis Choumert
Chairman, European Shippers' Council

European Initiative for a new CO2-monitoring programme gathers momentum

Created on Monday, 12 December 2011

Representatives of the European Parliament and the European Commission recently welcomed the industry-driven approach to establish a pan-European standard system for collating, analysing and monitoring CO2 emissions from road freight operations. Representatives from HEINEKEN, The Dow Chemical Company and DHL informed key European officials about the progress made towards a uniquely European version of the comparable SmartWay Partnership programme in the US. Since last year the group has grown from seven founder members to some 25 companies committed to seeing this initiative succeed.

Read more: European Initiative for a new CO2-monitoring programme gathers momentum

ESC comments on agreement between MSC & CMA CGM

Created on Tuesday, 06 December 2011

The recently announcement of the agreement between MSC and CMA CGM to combine their services on key trades has generated much interest and concern among European shippers. Reflecting on this announcement, Jean-Louis Cambon, Chairman of the Maritime Transport Council at the European Shippers' Council said: "The merging of their services on the routes identified demonstrates two things: the lack of volumes in the market as a consequence of the economic crisis and the difficulties of managing to utilise the vessels they operate; and secondly, that in order to compete for supremacy head-on with Maersk Line they need to join forces.

Read more: ESC comments on agreement between MSC & CMA CGM

ESC's Customers' Charter goes Green to address Sustainable Shipping

Created on Friday, 30 September 2011

At ESC’s Shipper Forum “Greening the Maritime Supply Chain” which took place in Brussels on Wednesday 28th September a revised customers’ charter for a Sustainable Liner Shipping Industry was presented by ESC's Secretary General, Nicolette van der Jagt.

Read more: ESC's Customers' Charter goes Green to address Sustainable Shipping