Germany and Neighbors Form Co-operative CF Container Feeder eG

Representatives of shipping companies from all over Northern Germany and the neighboring Netherlands have founded the co operative “CF Container Feeder eG”. The purpose of the co operative is the coordination and bundling of the shipping activities for feeder container ships provided by the members.

Within a few weeks after the formal founding at the end of 2011, almost 200 ship companies, shipping companies and charterers from all of Northern Germany as well as the Netherlands have joined. The co operative is open for additional companies to put the co operative on basis as strong as possible. The co operative addresses shipping companies, ship funds, issuing houses, freightage brokers, banks, natural persons and other interested groups.

Based on the current market environment, the initiators are convinced that the shipping companies are now challenged more than ever to achieve a strengthening of their market position through joint presence and actions that address the cost as well as the income part of their business. For this purpose, a practical and effective instrument was created by founding the co operative. Therefore, the initiators expect that significant success can be achieved speedily.

Before the founding, discussions were held and considerations were reviewed for the bundling of interests and activities through the local shipping company associations. This made clear that the banks did not only view these efforts and the objectives positively, but that they even expected joint actions and presence from the shipping companies. A co operative bank focused on ship financing actively supported the initiators during the early considerations and during the founding activities. The by laws established in accordance with the sample of the co operative union include intentionally unbureaucratic regulations and structures.

The joining through the purchase of a co operative share has intentionally be kept cost effective. The entrepreneurial autonomy and independence of the participating shipping companies and businesses is not restricted in any way by the legal form of a co operative. A full time general manager has assumed the management of the co operative. By assigning Joachim van Grieken, the co operative gained an experienced shipping expert for this position. In the past, Mr. van Grieken worked in senior management positions, among others for shipyards and issuing companies.

The cooperative idea, which in its modern form is already more that 150 years old, provides a so today the right answer for the challenges of the market. The principle has been proven often and ‘or a long time. It not only created an important part of the German credit services sector but it has a so been practised successfully for many years in the inland waterway transportation. A co operat’ve combines joint entrepreneurial actions with the principles of self help, independent responsibi ity and self administration. The initiators hope that this will help the shipping companies to contribute to an improvement of its economic situation. Based on research by the lnstitut fur Genossenschaftswesen (institute for co operative systems) of the Munster University, 83% of Germans know the term co operative and associate it with terms such as trustworthy, panic—proof, competent and reliable. It is not without reason, that the UN has determined the year 2012 as the international year of co operatives. This is a good environment for the ambitious activities that promise successes for the container feeder co operative.. Additional discussions will be held shortly among the members and specific activities will be discussed and implemented. In addition, it is the intention to introduce the co operative to banks and issuing houses.

Another co operative for bulk cargo ships, European Minibulk eG, was founded in Haren almost at the same time. This co operative has the same objectives but for a different type of ship.

[mappress]

World Maritime News Staff, February 6, 2012; Image: Arkon