Westbound Transpacific Stabilization Agreement News

The Westbound Transpacific Stabilization Agreement (WTSA) recently filed an amendment with the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC). The following statement regarding the WTSA amendment was issued today by Commissioner William P. Doyle of the FMC. Commissioner said, "The member companies of the WTSA recently filed an amendment to the WTSA to suspend the underlying agreement. While it was effective when filed, the WTSA’s amendment remains subject to FMC jurisdiction. "As a point of information…

With the North American ECA (Emission Control Area) now in force, Hans Staal, Branch Manager, OW Bunker USA explains the lessons that must be learned and why collaboration within the shipping supply chain is going to be key to meeting new regulatory challenges. Since the outset, the introduction of the North American Emission Control Area (ECA) in August 2012 has been an issue of some concern for many ship owners and operators. Concerns over price, technical issues, supply and demand, as well as the practicalities of enforcement, have been widely debated.

The United Seamen’s Service (USS) 2009 40th Annual Admiral of the Ocean Sea Awards (AOTOS) were presented to Donald Kurz, President and CEO of Keystone Shipping Co., headquartered in Philadelphia, and to Ronald Widdows, Group President and CEO of Neptune Orient Lines (NOL) of Singapore, parent company of American President Lines (APL). A Special AOTOS Award was also presented to The United States Coast Guard. The maritime industry’s most prestigious honors were awarded at a gala industry dinner and dance held at the Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers, New York City, on November 13, 2009.

The United Seamen's Service (USS) 2009 40th Annual Admiral of the Ocean Sea Awards (AOTOS) will be presented to Donald Kurz, President and CEO of Keystone Shipping Co., headquartered in Philadelphia, and to Ronald Widdows, Group President and CEO of NOL (Neptune Orient Lines) of Singapore, parent company of American President Lines (APL). A Special AOTOS Award will also be presented to the United States Coast Guard. The maritime industry's most prestigious honors will be awarded at a gala industry dinner and dance to be held at the Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers, New York City, on November 13, 2009. Richard Hughes, Chairman of the USS AOTOS Committee and President of the International Longshoremen's Association, AFL-CIO, made the announcement on the occasion of the USS Annual meeting.

MOL will resign from the Westbound Transpacific Stabilization Agreement (WTSA), and the Canada Westbound Transpacific Stabilization Agreement (CWTSA), effective June 12, 2005. “After a very careful analysis of the facts, we have concluded that the interests of MOL and our customers will be better served if MOL conducts its business outside the WTSA and CWTSA,” stated Hiroyuki Sato, CEO of MOL’s Liner Division. MOL has been a member of WTSA/CWTSA since it was formed. MOL is committed to continually improving its service quality, while providing customers with maximum value for their transportation dollar.