Appointment of COA Technical Manager
(Posted 27 December 2007)
The COA is pleased to announce the appointment of Erik Hansen as its new Technical Manager. Based in Qingdao, China, Erik is a container consultant, with many years’ experience in the container business, specialising in container design, manufacturing, inspection and repair
The COA Technical Manager’s role (which is a part-time position) covers a range of technical matters including: overall management of the COA’s current Working Groups; development of new Working Group activity; and responding to specific technical enquiries from COA Members.
Erik can be contacted on: technical@containerownersassociation.org
COA Members Questionnaire: Feedback Summary
(Posted 1 December 2007)
Market Reports
(Posted 31 October 2007)
Two market reports of interest to COA Members have recently been published by Drewry Shipping Consultants. For reviews of the reports, click on the documents (PDFs)
- Big ship orders to cause supply/demand balance concern
- Annual Reefer Shipping Market Review and Forecast 2007/08
COA Publishes Business Plan (2007-2009)
(Posted 26 September 07)
The COA has published its 2007-2009 Business Plan. The Plan gives details of the COA’s Purpose & Mission, Recent Developments & Current Activities, and its Aims, Objectives and Development Strategy for the next two years. To download a copy of the Business Plan, click here (PDF) or here (Word Format)
COA Joins ICHCA International: Range of Benefits to Members |  |
During the Members Forum at the COA meeting in Paris, it was agreed that COA Members should have the opportunity to give their opinions about COA progress, development and future strategy.
A questionnaire was sent out in early September, and some 22 COA Members responded. The key points that were made in the questionnaire are summarised in a Questionnaire Feedback Report. Members can download the report by clicking here.
Recent Reports and Publications AQIS industry notice Container Liner Services on the Danube The development of container liner services on the River Danube continues to be a topical issue. via donau - the Austrian Ministry of Transport's company which was established to preserve and develop the Danube waterway - has published two documents which may be of interest to container operators and leasing companies looking to develop their business in this region. Click HERE for via donau's final report: "COLD - Container Liner Service Danube". This is an assessment of the opportunities and risks of container transport on the Danube River between Austria and the Black Sea Click HERE for a summary of the report, in presentation format, prepared by Gerhard Gussmag, via donau's Team Manager Transport Development. For further information, contact gerhard.gussmag@via-donau.org The UK Department for Transport's Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has published a report following the completion of their investigation into the structural failure of the hull of the MSC Napoli. Click here for a Press Release about the Report (Word format) Click here for the complete report (PDF)
The Sea Cargo Unit of the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service has published a new Industry Notice (26/2007-08: Update on Changes to Permanent Immunisation Treatment Certification Requirements for Commodity Timber and Timber Packaging and Dunnage).
To download this Notice, click here
MSC Napoli Report
Following a complex and wide-ranging investigation, the MAIB found that the failure to the hull in the region of the ship's engine room was due to the vessel's design rather than her material condition or construction. The MAIB concluded that this, along with the ship's speed and her loading, had caused the vessel to break her back as she headed directly into high seas. It has therefore recommended a review of the technical rules used in container ship design.
As part of the on-going investigation the MAIB identified that container ships of similar design could potentially have the same design flaw and have identified that out of 1500 vessels screened, 12 require work to bring them up to acceptable safety standards.