Hapag Lloyd chief executive Ulrich Kranich becomes new ELAA chairman

EUROPEAN Liner Affairs Association (ELAA) has voted in new chairman to coincide with the commencement of a post-conference world in the EU starting in October of next year.

Hapag Lloyd CEO's Mr Ulrich Kranich will take over from the former chairman of ELAA, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) chief executive GianLuigi Aponte in the New Year.

"I am looking forward to a new era in liner shipping, particularly in relations with shippers at an association level." said Mr Kranich referring to EU ban on shipping conferences starting October 18.

ELAA chief executive Chris Bourne said: "The liner industry owes Mr Aponte a major debt of gratitude. As chairman of the ELAA over the past year, he has guided the group through the final stages of talks with the European Commission which has culminated in the publication of the Draft Guidelines."

ELAA's work will be taking a new turn with the implementation of the new information exchange system. The Liner Shipping Conference Block Exemption is due to expire in autumn 2008 and members of ELAA will begin testing the proposed new information exchange system early in 2008.