General manager Charles Stride FICS delivers the latest Federation news

Johnson: staunch Institute supporter.

At its annual general meeting in London last month, Federation Council unanimously confirmed the appointment of Derek Johnson MBE, FICS as the new vice-chairman. As reported in the last issue, Derek has been a staunch supporter of the Institute and Federation and takes over the role after 13 years as the chairman of the Liner Committee.

The same meeting also confirmed John Foord, FICS as the new Liner Committee chairman. John, director of operations for Johnson Stevens Agencies, and a past chairman of Federation Council, brings a wealth of experience on liner matters to this important Standing Committee.

Federation has four permanent Standing Committees which provide the focus for consultation and consideration of the specific sectors of our shipping industry with the committee members being chosen for their appropriate expertise and experience. In addition to Liner, the other committees are the Tramp and Tanker Agency Committee, chaired by Barry Stokes FICS, director of Clarkson Brothers; the Chartering and Documentary Committee, chaired by Tony Dixon FICS, director of Braemar Seascope; and the European Committee, our link with ECASBA and the European Commission, whose chairman Jonathan Williams FICS, general manager of FONASBA/ECASBA, was also appointed at the recent AGM.

All the committees are actively involved on behalf of Federation Company members, and the Institute as a whole, in their particular areas and especially in regard to the increasing volumes of changing and new legislation. Although the continuing trend for tighter controls and restrictions on our industry cannot be halted, Federations through its committees and consultation involvement, can have some influence on the eventual working practices to the benefit of our industry, and the ships and principals that we serve.

Foord: wealth of experience.

In consultation Further to previous reports, recent ongoing consultation has included involvement with UK Customs (HMRC) on the changes to its clearance office network with the closure of port offices and the concentration on a single electronic hub.

As an extension to this development, the Federation is in final discussions with HMRC over the handling of the reporting and clearance of vessels – more news in the next edition of the Shipping Network. Assistance has also been given to HMRC with its European Commission discussions on the development of pre-arrival and pre-departure legislation due to be introduced in the next few years.

Federation representatives have continued to be involved with the Home Office and their developments in the security areas of shipping. In particular the Immigration and Asylum Bill is causing concern with the intended tighter controls and information requirements on cargo movements.

Although this will only have a lesser effect on international trade, as most information is available via existing customs controls, the imposition of similar requirements on intra-Europe trade, could be expensive (government will not pay) and possibly detrimental if the UK requirements are excessive as compared with other European Union countries. Input has also been provided to the Department of Transport on the UK Port Policy Review, directly and through other consultation by Federation representatives on other trade bodies. This will continue to be monitored closely.

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