Towards setting minimum service level practices in maritime
Over the past four years, various crises have led to numerous unilateral actions by carriers and other operators, significantly impacting trade in many small developing states and causing difficulties for small- and medium-sized traders globally. Previously, the balance of market forces was more favourable, which could have shielded these parties from reciprocal behaviours by customers.
It is now essential to mend relationships among players in the maritime supply chain for the sake of overall global economic development.
The Global Shippers' Alliance (GSA), a coalition of shippers’ councils from five continents, in collaboration with UNCTAD and FIATA, is initiating discussions to progressively implement best practice standards to minimise the repercussions of fluctuating demand and supply imbalances on operations (excluding pricing matters), particularly concerning minor traders and carriers.
Following an initial discussion at the UNCTAD Global Supply Chain Forum in Barbados in May, GSA is organising a conference to further explore this issue with a broader range of stakeholders.
Two panels will focus on strategies for achieving better market stabilisation through enhanced data exchange and transparency, as well as addressing critical ongoing issues.