Container Alliances Mirrored by New Multimodal Logistics Tie Up

EUROPE – As consolidation and cooperation in the container shipping sector becomes the normal state of things, 21 associations representing the various industries across the global supply chain different have agreed to strengthen their cooperation to form the Industry Alliance for Multimodal (IAM) Connectivity and Logistics for Growth.

This new Alliance will aim to express the positions and expectations of the stakeholding groups with regards to EU policy initiatives that could boost and enhance European multimodal connectivity and logistics, and will provide EU decision-makers, TEN-T Corridor Coordinators, and relevant EU agencies, input from the industries it represents, operating on a coalition model on topics where there is consensus.

The Industry Alliance for Multimodal (IAM) launched this week during the 2nd Annual FEPORT Stakeholders conference run by the Federation of European Private Port Operators, one of the founder members of the new initiative, and which took place in Brussels and saw many of the Alliance members engage with EU policy makers and regulators. With the Alliance also open to other interested bodies pursuing the same objective, the current members are as follows:

AIVP – The worldwide network of port cities;

BIC – Bureau International du Conteneur;

CLECAT – European Association for Forwarding, Transport, Logistics and Customs Services;

EBU – European Barge Union;

ECASBA – European Community Association of Ship Brokers and Agents;

ECG – The Association of European Vehicle Logistics;

ECSA – European Community Shipowners’ Association;

EFIP – European Federation of Inland Ports;

EMPA – European Maritime Pilots’ Association;

ESPO – European Sea Ports Organisation;

ESC – European Shippers Council;

ETA – European Tugowners Association;

EuDA – European Dredging Association;

FEPORT – The Federation of European Private Port Operators,

ICHCA International – the global cargo handling NGO;

IRU – International Road Transport Union;

PEMA – Port Equipment Manufacturers Association;

Sea Europe – the Ships and Maritime Equipment Association;

UIP – International Union of Wagon Keepers;

UIRR –International Union for Road-Rail Combined Transport and;

UNISTOCK – European association of professional portside storekeepers for agribulk commodities.

I AM Connectivity & Logistics for Growth additionally aims to complement the work of other platforms and initiatives and seek win-win opportunities with them, whilst aiming itself to achieve specific policy objectives and deliverables through joint positions. Areas of mutual interest cover competitiveness, efficiency, reliability, safety, security and sustainability of supply chain, logistics, cargo transport, handling and freight services across the European region.

I AM Connectivity & Logistics for Growth will decide upon its priorities during an annual plenary meeting to be held in spring 2017. The alliance agenda will be inspired by the EU Commission annual work programmes but also proposals from the members. To start with I AM will be putting the following two topics on its agenda: the review of the Combined Transport Directive and the Mid-term evaluation of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF).