Shippers share their views at Intermodal Europe -- Molokini Marketing

Nov. 19, 2012 - PRLog -- The Intermodal Europe 2012 conference will kick off with a Panel of Shippers chaired by Neil Madden, Editor of Bulk Distributor magazine and featuring Marco Wiesehahn, Policy Advisor of EVO (the Dutch Shippers’ Council) and the European Shippers’ council.

Other experts on the panel include Pieter de Maeseneer, European Freight and Warehousing Purchasing, of Procter and Gamble and Marcel Merkkx, Director Transportation and Logistics AMM Europe, of Alcoa.

“The key points discussed during the Intermodal Europe shippers’ panel (http://www.intermodal-events.com/page.cfm/Action=seminar/libID=1/listID=1/libEntryID=6) will depend entirely on the questions raised and how the conversation unfolds on stage” says Marco Wiesehahn of EVO. “But some topics I would expect to be raised are things that are currently affecting shippers and freight forwarders, including security and safety in the supply chain, sustainability issues, the economic crisis and improvements in communications systems.”

The Dutch Shippers’ Council, EVO has 20,000 company members, all of which have a shared interest in the unobstructed transportation of goods and a stake in transportation. National Shippers councils all over Europe combine to create the European Shippers Council which represents all national shippers’ organisations and aims to influence European policy as well as monitoring what is going on globally. National shippers’ organisations must be involved in the discussion of all types of modality, such as air freight, inland waterways, rail networks, deep sea, short sea and road. They also have an interest in warehouse management and regulations.

“If safety and security is addressed, that discussion might include the need to further regulate weight declaration in global shipping or anti-piracy and terrorist regulation and the supply chain costs that can be incurred” explains Marco. “The topic of sustainability could address the internalisation of external costs, as well as emissions trading schemes and co2 reduction in international maritime transport and across the entire supply chain.”

The economic crisis is also expected to be raised during the panel session, with particular regard to buying power and minimising costs within the supply chain.

Improvement in communication is something that is currently affecting the shipping industry, as Marco explains. “The shipping industry is gradually moving towards improved communications IT, which is important as transport requires quick and reliable communication” says Marco. “Flexible IT systems that enable all partners to exchange information on one platform are required, which is what the industry is working towards. The best communication systems will improve development and make shipping operations even more efficient and effective.”

Over 50 conference sessions will be held at Intermodal Europe 2012 from 27-29 November at the RAI in Amsterdam. Visit the Intermodal conference programme (http://www.intermodal-events.com/page.cfm/Action=Seminar/...) page on the website (www.intermodal-events.com) to see an up to date list of speakers and topics, including a complete timetable for the free-to-attend event. For further information about Intermodal Europe 2012, to attend or to exhibit, visit http://www.intermodal-events.com.

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NOTES TO EDITORS:
Intermodal Europe is the world-leading exhibition and conference for companies associated with the container and intermodal industries and covers all areas of container transport and logistics across road, rail and sea. The event provides an invaluable industry forum, bringing together high-quality speakers and key exhibitors.

Organised by Informa Exhibitions, Intermodal Europe is now in its 36th year. Established in 1976 as the Container Technology Conference (CTC) Intermodal Europe has developed and matured alongside the industry it serves.

Keep up with latest news and discussions by joining the Intermodal Europe LinkedIn Group at www.intermodal-events.com/linkedin and follow Intermodal Europe on twitter www.intermodal-events.com/twitter. Visit www.intermodal-events.com for further information

Issued on behalf of Intermodal Europe by:

MOLOKINI MARKETING LTD

Press enquiries contact:

intermodal@molokini.co.uk

Jude Mitcham | jude@molokini.co.uk

Laura Simmonds | laura@molokini.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0) 1903 207408 | www.molokini.co.uk

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