Koch returns to World Shipping Council helm

With John McCain's acceptance of the Republican Party's nomination for the presidency Thursday night, Christopher Koch said he is returning to his full time job as chief executive officer and president of the World Shipping Council. 

Koch, a former Sea-Land executive and chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission, took a leave of absence from the council in May to work on the McCain campaign. He had been appointed to the FMC by the first President Bush after a decade on Capitol Hill where he had stints as chief of staff to both Sens. McCain and Slade Gorton as well as serving as counsel to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.

While McCain has not issued a narrow policy targeted at shipping, Koch noted his position on increasing offshore energy production could be a boon for the shipping industry and address one of its biggest challenges, the rising price of bunker fuel.

He also noted McCain is a strong supporter of free trade agreements that have helped boost cargo volumes for the industry.

Also returning to the fold is former staff person Doug Schneider, who previously handled maritime security issues before working overseas for the U.S. Coast Guard, the organization confirmed.