WHAT WE DO
WORKING GROUP ACTIVITY
For many years ICHCA has enjoyed non governmental (NGO) consultative status with a number of intergovernmental agencies whose programme of work impacts on the activities of the international cargo handling and transportation industry.
Perhaps the chief amongst these are the International Maritime Organization (IMO), United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD, United Nations Economic and Social Councils (ECOSOC) particularly for Europe (UNECE), Asia Pacific (ESCAP), European Council of Ministers of Transport (ECMT), European Commission (EC), and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
ICHCA also maintains observer and liaison status with a number of international industry bodies and takes an active role in several international industry fora.
These organisations include the International Standards Organisation (ISO), European Standards Organisation (CEN), International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH).
ICHCA has made an important contribution to the debate on a wide range of industry issues around the world and, in many cases, has had a direct effect on the formation of international regulations and legislation. Our representative function is carried out by staff of the International Secretariat as well as ICHCA Panel members and others. Details of such activities are reported in Cargo Today.
ICHCA PANELS
One of the ways in which ICHCA fulfils its object of promoting efficiency in the movement of goods by all modes of transport and at all phases of the transport chain is through the work of its Panels of industry experts.
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The Safety Panel is made up of some 40 acknowledged experts in the ports and related industries who specialise in all aspects of cargo as well as personnel. Their remit includes: legal issues, safe working practices, equipment and training. Meeting three times a year at various global venues, they debate issues and attend IMO, ISO, BSI etc. sessions, representing the views of ICHCA’s membership. They have also an on-going task in preparing a series of publications such as Briefing Pamphlets, Study Reports and Research Papers. Their expertise is drawn from over 15 countries and a number liaise on a correspondence basis only.
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The Multimodal Panel is expected to have some 20 members, mainly based in the UK, but with overseas corresponding members. The Panel will look into all issues relating to containers and containerised cargo, being transported by various diferent modes of transport (rail, road, sea and air); design, manufacture, operation, regulations, etc. and act in conjunction with other Panels when a matter under review crosses the remit. They will meet three times a year and, where possible, choose venues that have a cargo handling interest thus combining a site visit with a meeting session.
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The Bulk Panel is a recent addition to the above. ICHCA has been conscious that this is a sector of the industry where representation is fragmented and, in some cases, missing altogether. Springing from a prototype working group in Australia, we have widened its activities into an truly international forum.