Officials sign the memorandum of understanding

ICHCA International, the global cargo handling NGO association, has agreed to work with the Federation of European Private Port Operators (FEPORT) on matters of mutual interest.

The two associations signed a formal memorandum of understanding on March 1 at the ICHCA International 2016 Conference on "Bigger ships, greater challenges".

The conference was attended by officials and industry representatives of more than 34 countries.

FEPORT president Günther Bonz spoke at the conference, where he expressed the views of the European private port and terminal operator community on the challenges posed by bigger ships and other key operational issues for the sector. He was joined by a delegation of senior FEPORT executives and members.

ICHCA International represents the interests of its 160 voting members, over 6,500 associate members and the industry at large on key UN regulatory bodies, including the International Maritime Organisation. The association provides a focal point for cross-party dialogue and knowledge sharing among different members of the cargo handling chain and promotes good practice in safe and efficient operations across sea, land and air, including containerised, bulk and other cargo types.

Founded in 1993 and located in Brussels, FEPORT is a policy-led and policy-driven organisation that speaks on behalf of terminal operators and stevedoring companies carrying out activities in the seaports of the European Union and Turkey. Its members include over 1,200 companies with over 400 ports located throughout the EU and Turkey. The Federation promotes the interests of its members by maintaining regular dialogue with all EU institutional and non-institutional stakeholders.

This week's ICHCA International 2016 Conference brought together a cross-section of industry and institutional stakeholders.