COA 2023 Members Meeting

6 May 2023

  • Conference Agenda Announced
  • Rrgister now to confirm your participation
  • Special Hotel Room Rate available

The Conference Programme has been announced for the 2023 COA Members Meeting, taking place at the Radisson Blu Astrid Hotel, Antwerp, on 14/15 June 2023.

1. Networking Welcome Reception – Wednesday 14 June

The meeting will commence with a Networking Welcome Reception for all participants on the evening before the Conference, Wednesday 14 June.

This will take place from 18:00 to 20:00 at the Radisson Blu Astrid Hotel.

2. Conference Agenda – Thursday 15 June

The Conference Programme will comprise presentations covering a range of relevant container industry topics, including COA projects, work groups and initiatives. It will also be an opportunity to plan future COA activities.

MORNING SESSIONS

Container Shipping and Manufacturing – Industry Developments and Trends

The Conference will open with a Keynote Presentation –  “Global container shipping and manufacturing developments” – given by John Fossey, Head of Container Equipment & Leasing Research at Drewry. This will cover trends in the container trade, shipping and manufacturing market 2023/2024

Minimising pest movement by container shipping is a significant challenge for the industry. Lars Kjaer, Senior Vice President, World Shipping Council, will update Members on the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC)’s efforts to reduce pest movement in the sea container pathway

Container Design and Technology

Reducing pest movement will also be the topic covered in the next presentation – “Container design innovations for pest minimisation” – presented by Jinping Hu, Technical Manager, CIMC Containers. He will also discuss the topic of “The New method of Module Design for Dry Van Containers”

After that, the focus of the Conference turns to Container Floors and Container Coatings.

“Innovation in container floors” is the subject of the first presentation after the mid-morning refreshment break. Frank Nachbar, Director – Global Container Service, Hapag-Lloyd, will introduce the new design of steel container floor developed by the company. The presentation will be followed by a panel discussion about container flooring

The final topic of the morning session will be: “Container coatings: current trends and future developments”, with an update on the current situation for waterborne paint on dry freight and reefers; future trends in high solids/low viscosity paint and powder coatings, together with trends and initiatives  The presentation will be given by Louis Wong, Marketing Director, Mega P&C Advanced Materials and will be followed by a panel discussion about container coatings.

AFTERNOON SESSIONS

COA Work Groups and Initiatives: Reefer Containers, M&R Coding, Flexitanks

In the afternoon, the Conference will divide into two parallel sessions:

• Parallel Session A: Container Industry Initiatives
• Parallel Session B: Flexitanks

Reefer Containers: Refrigerants and Reefer Telematics

The afternoon will begin with a focus on Reefer Containers, including an update on changes to regulations relating to refrigerant gases, a review of possible future options and a review of PFAS regulations changes – and how this might affect the industry

Information will also be given about the COA Refrigerants Work Group, covering the issues and future regulation relating to refrigerants, as well as the scope of the COA Work Group.

The session will also include an update on the work being undertaken by the COA Reefer Telematics Work Group, with developments on the COA Reefer UDM.

Harmonisation of Cedex Repair Code Interpretation

The COA’s Cedex Harmonisation Work Group has also been progressing, and there will be an opportunity to explain to Members about the status of project and next steps.

This Session will include a General discussion, including various relevant topics

  • Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII): How new IMO regulations will impact the container shipping industry
  • Future Container Standards – Panel Discussion
  • Container Disposal: CargoWorthy and SOCs

3. Post-Conference Reception and Networking Buffet

The Meeting will conclude with a Post-Conference Reception and Networking Buffet.

4. Registration – Register now for the Meeting

The Registration Fee to attend the Meeting is as follows:

  • COA Members: €395.00
  • Non-Members: €695.00

To register, please click on this link: REGISTRATION

5. Special Room Rates at the Radisson Blu Astrid Hotel

Delegates wishing to stay at the Radisson Blu Astrid Hotel can benefit from a Special Room Rate of €160.00 per night (wi-fi, vat and breakfast included, City Tax excluded).
For further information, and to make your hotel booking at COA Group Rate please use one of the following options – using the COA promotional code.

There are a limited number of rooms available at this rate – so please make your booking as soon as possible.

We are looking forward to an interesting and enjoyable event