Proposed shipping lobby group merger moves forward

ALAN PEAT
THERE IS a definite intent to join-up the three shipping bodies – the Association of Shipping Lines (ASL), the Container Liner Operators' Forum (Clof) and the Association of Ships Agents and Brokers of SA (Asabosa) – into a single voice for the industry, according to Mark Koen of Island View Shipping (IVS) and ASL chairman. The concept has met with general acceptance, and a feasibility study is currently looking into issues like membership, constitutions, management, responsibilities and fees. “The parties have to get together to work out a framework and decide if it’s a viable proposition,” Koen said. “Hopefully, within the next few weeks we should get everything sorted out.”