ESC revives the grey box idea amid anti-carbon craze

REVIVING the generic "grey box" idea, the European Shippers' Council (ESC) seeks to re-open discussions of ocean carriers abandoning dedicated liveried container fleets for common container pools of grey boxes instead.

The ESC argues that anti-carbon hysteria will drive demand and warrant reconsideration of the grey box. "The reason for the lack-lustre support among shipping lines was mainly because carriers were not ready to abandon branding, and the re-organisation was considered overwhelming," said an ESC statement.

Because of the anti-carbon craze, the ESC believes it is time once more to re-examine the merits of putting the "grey-box" concept into practice, and challenge the previous barriers to the grey box, reported London's Containerisation International.

The ESC said common container pools could reduce the risk of equipment shortages, as experienced earlier this year. "Slow steaming was one of the causes. Other factors included trade imbalances and the lack of investment in container fleet renewal during the period 2008-2009," said the ESC statement.

Said ESC transport council chairman Jean-Louis Cambon: "The grey box concept may not solve structural imbalances, but the potential to improve turn-around of equipment and thereby increase efficiency and making more boxes available in the hinterland is worth investigation."

The ESC said its members have agreed to form a working group, open to shippers and others in the maritime supply chain, to examine whether the grey box concept, reported American Shipper.

"The grey box concept does raise big questions surrounding ownership and leasing of the equipment, interchange procedures, and the impacts of abandoning corporate or product branding on boxes," said Mr Cambon.
(Source:www.schednet.com)