From March 3-5, 2014, COSCO executives attended JOC’s annual Transpacific Maritime (TPM) conference in Long Beach, California. Now in its 14thyear, TPM has become the premier conference and networking event for the transpacific trade and global container shipping community. The participation of our executives and sponsorship of the event reinforced our dedication and effort to further expanding our transpacific market in 2014, helping to promote a sustainable and healthy development of COSCO in the Americas region for the future.
COSCO Container Lines Americas (CCLA) Executive Vice President Howard Finkel spoke during a roundtable discussion with other senior carrier leaders from Maersk, APL, NYK, and Hapag-Lloyd. This year, topics of discussion included volume growth and the impact of overcapacity as larger ships are continuing to be delivered this year, rates as the new FOB service contract season begins, and the push for carriers to make a full transition into a new chassis model.
“A Discussion with Carrier Leaders” at the JOC’s 14th Annual TPM Conference
Forecasting a 5% growth for Transpacific eastbound volumes for 2014, Howard explained that even though these projections are not for double-digit growth as seen in the past, 5% is a steady increase that will help supply and demand to eventually recover for a better balance in the future. Howard also briefly answered questions regarding the addition of Evergreen to the CKYH alliance. Howard’s insights and comments, along with the panel overall, were a large success and received favorable feedback from conference attendees.
COSCO’s Howard Finkel (left) with JOC’s Senior Editor Peter Leach (right)
Additionally, COSCO hosted a customer appreciation reception on Sunday night, prior to the start of the TPM conference. Over 100 guests joined COSCO executives for dinner; the largest amount of customers hosted in the event's five-year history. This successful and encouraging turn out of guests reinforced their support and commitment to establishing long lasting, positive relationships with COSCO.
