London to Host TOC Europe 2014 (UK)

Ultra-large vessels, supply chain complexity and highly-productive ports are going to be discussed at 39th annual TOC Europe event. Making sense of scale in container shipping, carrier alliances and new service networks, and the impact of terminal productivity on supply chains will be key topics discussed at the 39th TOC Europe Conference and Exhibition, taking place on 24-26 June 2014 at ExCel, London, UK.

London is ideal as the host city for this year’s TOC Europe. As Europe at last seems to be emerging from the deep recession of the past five years, the UK looks to be among the leaders in this economic revival. However, any consequent upturn in trading fortunes will take place against a changed logistics landscape.

New liner shipping alliances like P3 have the potential to shake up the service networks and port rotations that existed pre-crisis. Yet in the interim, brand new world-scale container facilities have come on stream and are competing for business from the coming wave of ultra-large container vessels being deployed on Asia-Europe trade lanes. At the same time near- or even home-shoring carry potentially serious consequences for large volume deepsea shipments, the base assumption on which these large-scale investments have been built. The UK itself is undergoing significant changes in its deepsea port environment. The opening of the London Gateway mega-port, the first new deepsea container facility in the UK for decades, marks a dramatic development in the port-hinterland landscape of one of the world’s largest economies. And the port’s proximity to the most globalised of all capital cities makes London a perfect base for this year’s conference and exhibition. Delegates to the TOC CSC Conference will have an opportunity to visit London Gateway on an exclusive tour kindly hosted by DP World.

What to expect at TOC Europe

TOC Europe will provide a macro-to-micro perspective on global and regional supply chains and trade, bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders to explore current challenges and solutions.

A new format will give delegates even more added-value to maximise peer group networking and knowledge exchange. At this year’s TOC CSC Europe, delegates can choose from the following components: – TOC Container Supply Chain Conference (CSC) – the leading container transport and trade forum, providing shippers and their logistics partners with exclusive access to the insight and analysis that drives international trade, transportation and logistics. – TECH TOC Conference – connecting operators and equipment & technology providers to explore the latest global innovations and best practices in container handling technology & big data tools. – Bulk Ports & Technology – designed for people who move and handle dry bulk shipments, highlighting the latest innovations in dry bulk shipping, handling and port technology. – PortCentric Logistics Village & Seminars – TOC Events is partnering with SHD Logistics to launch the PortCentric Logistics Village providing a unique opportunity for suppliers of materials handling equipment, logistics and intra-logistics services to engage with key buyers running distribution and transport operations located within the UK and Europe

TOC Events also announced that an agreement has been signed with Port of Rotterdam in which the latter becomes a Global Port Partner for all four TOC events scheduled around the world during 2014.

“Welcome to London ‘TOC Europe is coming home in 2014’,” commented Paul Holloway, Event Director at TOC Events Wordwide. “The UK market is buoyant; but the decision to run our flagship event in London is based on much more than this. TOC Europe is now firmly established as a global event receiving guests from over 80 countries. This year we will offer additional features to attendees including the new Port Centric Logistics village that will focus on hinterland port communities. This will run alongside the globally known and respected TOC formats – Container Supply Chain Conference, TECH TOC and Bulk Ports and Technology. All of us at TOC are delighted to invite stakeholders from the global maritime industry to our fantastic home city for what promises to be the biggest and best TOC of all time. Come to TOC and receive a genuine London welcome.”

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TOC Events, February 20, 2014