SCT Manangement Involved in Industry Discussions

On 20 and 21 November 2006 the European Shippers’ Council (ESC) held its annual Shipper Forum in Amsterdam.  The forum was attended by leading decision makers responsible for procurement and movement of freight throughout the supply chain from shipping lines and road hauliers to freight forwarders and shippers.  SCT’s Business Development Manager, Derek Smith formed part of a panel that discussed enhancing supply chain efficiency through industry-led best practice. 

On 22 November 2006, Patrick Walters, Managing Director, SCT, gave evidence at the Transport Select Committee enquiry into the government’s Ports Policy Review.  Sitting alongside representatives from the Chamber of Shipping, CMA-CGM and the Road Haulage Association, Patrick discussed subjects including the increasing size of vessels in the market place and the need for improved port infrastructure to handle the new generation of vessel.  The movement of goods from the Continent to the UK was debated as well as the importance of encouraging containers to move within the UK via feeder vessel.

On 1 December 2006 the Eddington Transport Study was published.  Amongst the wide-ranging proposals was the recommendation to target future growth-focussed investment on key international gateways, of which the Port of Southampton is one.  During the course of Sir Rod Eddington’s fact-finding process, he and his team visited Southampton and listened to the views of SCT’s management team which included representations to encourage the rail-gauge enhancement project.