S M IN D U ST RY N EW S Removal of shipping alliances exemption welcomed by FIDI FIDI has thanked its industry and supply chain allies for their collaborative efforts following the European Commissions (ECs) announcement, on 10 October, that it wont renew the shipping container sectors exemption from operating shipping alliances after legislation expires next April. FIDI had partnered with other associations representing international and European businesses including cargo owners and forwarders, port terminal operators, and other parts of the supply chain using container shipping to call on the EC to review competition regulations governing this sector (see FIDI Focus article, July 2022). This included a letter to the EC, issued in July of last year, co-signed by FIDI, the International Association of Movers (IAM) as representatives of other moving and relocation associations OMNI, LACMA, and PAIMA together with the Federation of Freight Forwarders Association, the International Union for Road-Rail Combined Transport, the European Tugowners De Haan in management changeover Dutch mover De Haan Relocation has announced that its leadership will change, with eighth-generation owner [PICTURE: Michiel de Michiel de Haan, pictured, taking over Haan] as CEO on 1 October. The company stated that outgoing CEO Wouter Hijzen, who has been in post since 2017, has decided, in good consultation with the owner, to undertake new endeavours elsewhere. De Haan will govern the companys board, which consists of COO Linda Rovekamp, Helma Rutten-Reniers, who oversees HR/quality, and Edwin Ros, who leads finance. Hijzen said: I am humbled and proud to have had the opportunity to lead this well-respected family company for the past six years. The time has come for me to take on a new challenge and I believe that it is good for the company to move forward. That is why, after having conversations with owner Michiel de Haan, I have decided to hand over the reins. De Haan said: After eight years having the privilege of leading Royal Lemkes, an amazing family business, I look forward to this new challenge of leading our family business on the way to celebrating our 250th anniversary in 2027. Rovekamp said: As a team, we are very pleased with the arrival of Michiel. We have experienced him, as a shareholder, as a man of vision, decisiveness and empathy. He brings 35 years of experience from highly professional companies. We look forward to working together more closely. Association, the Global Shippers Forum, the European Barge Union, the European Shippers Council, FEPORT, and the European Association for Forwarding, Transport, Logistics and Customs Services. The letter demanded a review of the European Unions (EUs) Consortia Block Exemption Regulation (CBER) for the container shipping industry, which has been in place since 2009. The CBER exempts container shipping lines from many of the EUs competition law checks, allowing them to exchange commercially sensitive information to manage the number and size of ships deployed, and the frequency and timing of sailings around the world. The EC said in a press release: Overall, the CBER does not appear to be fit for its purpose any more, as it does not fulfil the criteria of effectiveness, efficiency and EU added value. Linear shipping alliances involving European business will now be governed by the ECs general competition rules for horizontal cooperation between companies. FIDI UAE holds meet-up FIDI UAE members came together to discuss trends in the local market and regional issues, at a dinner hosted by Delight Movers. Shankar Ram, FIDI UAE President, said: The evening was filled with lots of laughter and fun, along with serious discussion of the region and current market trends. The next meeting is scheduled [PICTURE UAE dinner] to take place in March, ahead of the FIDI Conference in May. IAM and FIDI issue joint statement on container pests The International Association of Movers (IAM) and FIDI Global Alliance with contributions and support from the Australian International Movers Association and the Global Shippers Forum have submitted joint comments on the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM) recommendations for minimising pest risk associated with the sea container pathway document. The CPM is expected to make key decisions in 2024 on long-term guidance to minimise the risks associated with international sea containers and invasive pests. These measures, if imposed globally, will have direct implications for the movement of household furniture and personal-effects shipments worldwide. IAM and FIDI support voluntary measures to reduce the transfer of pests throughout the supply chain and container pathway process, and are in favour of a simplified version of the custodial responsibility principle, with a key focus on pest preventative actions at origin. For more, see article, pages 64-65. 10 FF312 Dec_Feb 23 pp10-17 News.indd 10 05/12/2023 09:00 DBon