Everard to address China WTO Shipping Summit

BIMCO's President, Michael Everard, has been invited to chair the opening session of the China World Trade Organization (WTO) Shipping Summit, which will be held in Shanghai, China, from 18 to 19 April 2002. After making the opening remarks on the first day, Mr. Everard will introduce the panel, which includes: Mr. Su Xingang, Director of Shipping Administration Department, Ministry of Communications (MOC); Mr. Hu Jingyan, Director of Foreign Investment, Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation (MOFTEC); Captain Wei Jiafu, President of China Ocean Shipping (Group) Company (COSCO) and member of the BIMCO Executive Committee; Mr. Dirk Fry, President of the International Ship Managers As-sociation (ISMA); Mr. Todd Pigeon, Vice President of Maersk Data USA Inc.; Mr. Flemming R. Jacobs, Group President and CEO of Neptune Orient Lines Ltd. (NOL); Mr. Sooho Cho, Vice Chairman of Hanjin Shipping Co. Ltd. and former Vice-President of BIMCO; Captain S. Y. Kuo, Chairman of Evergreen Marine Corporation Ltd.; Mr. Zhu Jianhua, President, Shanghai Shipping Exchange; and Mr. Gerry Wang, Vice-President, Seaspan Container Lines Ltd. Mr. Everard will be on the panel of speakers during both days and will deliver the closing remarks at the end of the first day. In addition, Mr. Everard will meet the Chinese Vice Minister of the State Information Center, Mr. Liu He. This Summit will bring together delegates from around the world to discuss the developments expected to take place in China and the challenges and opportunities the Chinese shipping community faces relating to their entry into the WTO. The Summit will highlight future investment and joint venture opportunities for the domestic as well as the international shipping industry. BIMCO's participation in this event further serves to emphasise the importance of the Far East region to BIMCO and its members. BIMCO's membership in Asia controls approximately 40% of the total dead weight tonnage (DWT) entered with BIMCO (at present 503 million DWT). BIMCO's last General Meeting took place in Beijing in May 2001.