The designated European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, will play a pivotal role in securing supply chains and decarbonising the shipping sector, the World Shipping Council said, welcoming the opportunity to continue a constructive dialogue with the EU Commission.

Washington D.C., 23 October 2024 – The World Shipping Council (WSC) is pleased to announce the release of the second edition of the WSC Whale Chart, a vital voyage planning tool aimed at helping the global merchant shipping industry protect whale populations. Building on the positive response to the first edition, published in November 2023, this updated version incorporates additional features to assist ship operators in reducing the risk of vessel strikes and mitigating underwater noise pollution, both of which can significantly impact marine life.

Engineers, technologists, regulators and shipping experts will gather at a unique conference in Rotterdam this November to consider the scope for redesigning the exterior and interior surfaces of intermodal freight containers used for sea transport to reduce the risk of them becoming contaminated by plant or animals and inadvertently contributing to the global spread of invasive pests.

The maritime industry, represented by the signatory industry organizations, is united in its pursuit of net-zero GHG emissions by 2050 consistent with the International Maritime Organization’s 2023 Strategy. Significant work remains and IMO Member States must build on the historic momentum that delivered the 2023 Strategy to develop, adopt, and implement appropriate mid-term GHG reduction measures.

The World Shipping Council (WSC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Tamekia Flack as its new Director of U.S. Government Relations, effective immediately.  Tamekia will lead WSC’s efforts to advance key safety, security, and environmental priorities in the U.S.A.

The Cargo Integrity Group is issuing an urgent reminder of the need for an emergency contact telephone number to be provided for shipments of dangerous goods, following recent experiences reported by its partner organizations.

The Cargo Integrity Group (CIG) commends the recent circular issued by the China Maritime Safety Administration (MSA) following the explosion incident involving the vessel "YM Mobility" on August 9, 2024, at Ningbo-Zhoushan Port. This incident, along with other recent fires aboard container vessels, underscores the critical need for enhanced safety measures and vigilance in the transport of dangerous goods by sea.

Washington/Singapore/Brussels/London, 30 July 2024 – Following positive response and encouraging conversations with IMO member nations and other stakeholders, the World Shipping Council (WSC) has further developed the Green Balance Mechanism, a regulatory measure designed to ensure that shipping meets it net-zero goal by 2050 in an efficient, just and equitable way. A detailed proposal, including design updates and regulatory text for the Green Balance Mechanism, has been submitted to support the timely development of effective climate regulations for shipping at the IMO ISWG-GHG 17 and MEPC 82 meetings.

The shipping community is appalled and deeply saddened with the tragic news that, yet another seafarer seems certain to have been killed in a drone boat strike on Wednesday 12 June while on board the MV Tutor in the Red Sea. We utterly condemn these assaults which directly contravene the fundamental principle of freedom of navigation.

Washington/Singapore/Brussels/London, 11 June 2024 – The World Shipping Council (WSC) today released its annual report on containers lost at sea, showing a significant decrease to 221 containers lost in 2023. While this is the lowest number recorded since the survey began in 2008, the WSC underscores the ongoing need for stringent safety measures and constant vigilance, as every container lost at sea is one too many.

The industry bodies of the Cargo Integrity Group continue in their mission to improve safety in the global supply chain. The Group has identified a number of cargoes, commonly carried in containers, that under certain conditions can cause dangerous incidents. They urge everyone handling these goods to follow all applicable regulations, the CTU Code and industry best practices.

Washington/London, 3 June 2024 - The World Shipping Council (WSC) applauds the recent adoption of amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) by the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 108). Starting January 1, 2026, these amendments will require mandatory reporting of all containers lost at sea, setting a new standard for maritime safety and environmental protection.

Global and European trade associations representing shippers, forwarders and vessel operators have issued an urgent alert to all businesses involved in the movement of goods into or via the European Union, Norway, Switzerland or Northern Ireland, by sea, road or rail to be ready for the new Import Control System (ICS2) that will start to be introduced from June this year.

Your Excellency Secretary-General Guterres, The maritime industry, represented by the organisations behind this letter, are grateful for the recognition that the UN Security Council and you personally have placed on the shipping industry and the importance of the free movement as set out in international law. We also thank and applaud IMO Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez for all the hard work raising the profile of shipping and our seafarers.

The World Shipping Council (WSC) today filed a petition for review with the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit seeking to have the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) correct an internal contradiction in its new rule on detention and demurrage. 

Brussels, April 18, 2024 — The World Shipping Council (WSC) is calling on the EU to design policy frameworks that facilitate the essential role of shipping in a globally connected economy and to forge the path to net-zero shipping by 2050 in partnership with industry.

Washington/Brussels/London/Singapore, April 17, 2024 — The World Shipping Council (WSC), the united voice of liner shipping, is happy to announce that the WSC Board has appointed Joe Kramek as its new President & CEO, to succeed John Butler upon his retirement at the end of July. Joe Kramek brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his new role, from both the maritime sector and government service.

Every year, 250 million containers are transported across the world with food, clothes, electronics and other goods we all need. While crucial for the smooth functioning of the global supply chain, containers and their cargoes can also harbour and transfer contaminating pests. All parties in the supply chain have a shared responsibility for stopping the spread of pests by keeping cargo and containers clean, and the Prevention of Pest Contamination of Containers: Joint Industry Guidelines for the Cleaning of Containers provide easy-to-use best practices to help everyone do their part. For this update, we are also happy to welcome ICHCA as a new partner together with BIC, COA, IICL and WSC.

Over the past two weeks, IMO member states and organisations have collaborated to align and organise the work towards mid-term measures to decarbonise the shipping industry. MEPC 81 was an important opportunity for all parties to review and discuss the many proposals on the table. The MEPC has agreed on a framework for the mid-term measures including a fuel standard and an economic measure, as well as set up the necessary expert groups, laying the foundation for an agreement that will deliver on the target of net-zero by 2050.

Wildlife crime continues to pose a significant threat to biodiversity, local and national economies, as well as national and international security. The illicit trafficking of wildlife not only endangers countless species but also undermines the stability of ecosystems and jeopardizes the livelihoods of communities worldwide. Recognising the severity of this issue, ten leading organisations have joined forces to combat illegal wildlife trafficking through increasing awareness and vigilance across global supply chains.